Hiking to Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park

by Margie Goulden

Mount Clement (L) and Mount Oberlin (R)

August 13, 2013 - Altars  of rock surrounded by grasses and flowers.  Meadows are lush and green and full of color.  It was like walking in God's Garden with wildflowers, rushing waterfalls and erratics strewn through the meadows left by the glacial flows.  And a pilgrimage of hikers walking up the mountain was an incredible scene to view.  And  there was never a lull.  As some returned on the trail others replaced them.  As I joined the "pilgrims", I pondered the many reasons for taking this pilgrimage into Nature's paradise. I was so thankful to be hiking after seeing a woman in a wheelchair at the end of the paved trail.  She could go no further, but her face told me that she was completely enjoying the beauty from her chair.  I was so thankful that I could hike and take in all the sights and sounds that she would miss.

Mountain Goat Kid

In the higher meadows and rocky areas, I met a nanny goat and her baby walking towards me on the side of the trail.  Such a treat.  Neither feared me, but the baby picked up momemtum as it passed me trying to keep up with mom.  More goats as I arrived at the overlook above Hidden Lake.  All this time as I was slowly ambling up the trail, Jeff had been searching for and finding goats to photograph.  I settled on a rock outcropping with several others who were enjoying one another in the spaciousness of these grandeur peaks and the meadows dressed in  their vibrant colors.  

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Sneaky Mountain Goat

And now I'm all alone.  Jeff is searching for that perfect shot with colorful meadows against a backdrop of mountains shedding their rocky scree.  And Nature is my only companion.  If this could be my eternity, there is no doubt that I would stay. And while Jeff was focused on his meadow shot, a goat snuck up behind him to within 15 feet.  A bit of a surprise to turn around to greet a mountain goat bearing down on him .  According to Jeff it was more like a staring contest, with the goat retreating first.

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Purple Aster

On our trip down, we met a group of Mennonites awed with the beauty of the mountains and the lake below.  Apparently a little girl was taken with their dress and I overhead her mother's discussion with her about different ways and different cultures and everyone has gifts to offer.  And down further, a little boy started to dig in the meadow.  His mother immediately snatched him onto her lap to explain the reason we need to show care and respect to the flowers and meadows.  "They don't have much time to grow and bloom and share their beauty with us, so we need to protect them."  She used the word 'environment' several times so that little boy will grow to understand.

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Going-to-the-Sun Mountain from Logan Pass

Many good moments of life today.  Tomorrow another hike at Logan Pass.

To see more of my pictures from Glacier National Park, visit Glacier National Park Gallery. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​