Good Evening All,

We woke up fairly early this morning.  We were greeted with reasonably warm weather.  Warm enough for Gary and I to wear shorts—aka—cargo shorts.  Mine were camo and Gary’s were a neutral kahki.  We were feeling incredibly ambitious today and we paid for it.  Off we went to the Hidden Lake Trail.   We had to go back to Logan Pass—a gorgeous drive that had stunning vistas of changing aspen trees.  Simply gorgeous—and then off we went.  This trail was challenging due to all the many steps, and I mean steps.  Board walk steps.  On one hand, we were thankful and the other hand it made the walk back a challenge—for Gary and his knees.  The total trek round trip to Hidden Lake overlook was 3 miles.  We made it there and back and the photos are really very pretty.  Well done us. 

Back to the car park we went.  Then insanity set in.  We were feeling invigorated and decided—why not take on another 6 miles or so?  So off we went down the Haystack Trail.  It was the most incredible trail that Gary and I have ever hiked.  Shear drop offs with cables attached to the sides of the mountain, snow covered parts, multiple mini-waterfalls, a mountain goat mamma and her inquisitive baby, stories of a grizzly 40 minutes ahead of us, and some of the most breathtaking views that we’ve ever seen.  Absolutely incredible.  We decided to turnaround just before the switchbacks (up ahead a ways) and head to the car park.  Well, it was an adventure in perseverance.  Gary struggled with the down hill and I struggled with the uphill.  What a team we are.

Part way down the trail we stopped and applied snow to Gary’s knees.  The return hike was just as spectacular.  Spectacular!  Back at the car park we put ice from the cooler on Gary’s knees and we soaked my feet in the ice water remaining in the empty cooler (yes we took out the drinks)!

It was a day full of challenges that we met and loved every step of the way.  Thanks for checking in today!

Hope this finds you all well and in good spirits,

Love to all,

Ellie and Gary

More fun!

What a day!

A good time was had by all!  Yes this is the trail with the "rope"!  There were a few cliff huggers but we were thrilled for them for even being on the trail....

We did it!  Tis was the Hidden Lake Trail...can you spot Gary?

I tried to get away from the baby goat and it wanted to hang around!

I'll leave you with this Fynn-spiration!

A message from Fynn...