Day 2 - The St. Mary’s area is at the very end of the Going to the Sun Road which is the only road that goes all the way through the Park. Unfortunately, a large section of the 50 mile road is closed as crews work to remove 80 feet of snow at Logan’s Pass. To visit the area, we drove from the west, around the southern tip to the east side. It is a “commitment” to say the least.
Saint Mary Lake is beautiful and fed by several large and small waterfalls.
The area had a massive wild fire in 2015 and dead trees tower over new growth.
The lake is on the west side of the continental divide and sits next to the beginning of the Rocky Mountains. The opening scene in the 1980 film The Shining was shot at Saint Mary Lake. But the falls are what you hike to see.
St. Mary’s Falls
Baring Falls
Lots of beautiful wild flowers and the air was fragrant.
These are called bear grass. They are a favorite of goats, deer, moose, and elk. Bear use them to making bedding for their dens.
While eating lunch, looking at Logan’s pass still covered in snow, Mark notices a section of mountain stripped of trees. He asked a tour guide who confirmed what he suspected- the result of avalanche. Makes you realize why the park service takes avalanche risk seriously.
Ruby has been enjoying the cool weather.
We have been treated to beautiful sunrises. The sun is up by 6 am!
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