The day started at 5:15 a.m. and found us in East Glacier around 8  with a gorgeous sunrise covering the mountain over which we would be climbing: Scenic Point, as well as the massive Rising Wolf and other mountains in the Two-Med area. The weather couldn't have been better, with temps in the 60s with no wind. If anything, it was a bit hot toward the end of the day.

The gals broke the rules a bit, having Katie's husband along to help on the reservation side of the hike, as the trails become confusing. Tom's expert route-finding skills along with his GPS kept us on track and on trail.  Another male, Jake Bramante of Hike 734 fame, was also slated to come, but he ended up heading to Zion instead, so Tom was the token "guy" on the trip. He had no one to commiserate with about bathroom breaks and endless picture taking. The gals teased Tom that he was our "escort."

Tom led off the day with an off-trail visit to an area that sheep often frequent, but we saw no bighorns today (or bears or moose or goats, either). The only wildlife we saw were some chipmunks, ground squirrels and various birds, including some ruffed grouse.  

The trail basically goes up and up.  We had quite the pull to reach Scenic Point, a 2,400 foot gain over 3.5 miles, but the gals still wanted to climb a little more with a trip up a knobby point at the saddle before summitting Scenic Point itself.
 At the top, we met a couple who had hired a Glacier Guide to take them on the trip.

The hike can't be overstated: the views are some of the best in the park and the fall time frame treated us to glorious colors that popped out at us all day. The terrain varies from waterfalls, to alpine hillsides  to meadows to the petrified pine forest to aspen groves to rock outcroppings  and beaver ponds. Every time we thought the scenery was the most beautiful, it turned into another zone that impressed us as well.

Toward the end of the hike, we came across a CDT (Continental Divide Trail) hiker Sean Murphy, who said he was "walking off the war" through the Warrior Hiker  project (read more about him at this link).  He started with his left foot in Mexico, April 13, and planned to end in Waterton Sept. 25, with a party and dinner to be held for him Sept. 26.  It's always interesting to meet people and hear their stories on the trail.

Our hike was a total of 11.5 miles with just under 2,600 feet of gain and 3,000 feet of loss, one of the bigger hikes of the season. Needless to say, Tom is not too eager to join us again. We have too many picture and potty stops for him.

We ended the day with dinner at Serrano's, one of our favorite restaurants in the park. Of course, we aren't the only ones who love the place, as was evident of the hour wait to get in.  While we were waiting, we bought some huckleberry pie from the Two Med Grill to save for dessert and enjoyed a pitcher of Margaritas.

Who went: Kathy M, Chrissie, Susan, Catherine, Sara and Katie 
Link to Katie's pictures
Link to Kathy's pics

Just four gals headed to the Rocky Mountain Front for a cool morning hike up to "the cliffs" in the Sun Canyon near Wagner's Basin.

Ellen led Katie, Debbie and Susan up a steep, but not too long, climb to what her family has dubbed "the cliff," which provides a gorgeous view of the Sun River Valley and the surrounding mountains, including the distinctive Sawtooth and Castle Reef.

It was fun to look down on the cabins and pick out Ellen's from on top.
The weather was cool with clouds shrouding the mountains until later in the day.  But we were still able to identify some mountains as well as see Gibson dam.

 Ellen showed us where her sister's ashes are scattered and talked about how her family has enjoyed the area and other hikes she has taken. She has invited the GIG to stay next summer. The cabin has three bedrooms, a loft, a covered porch with a total of eight beds.

The hike was around four miles and included a stop at the prehistoric rock paintings before returning to the cabin. On the way home, we saw many deer in the fields.

Link to Katie's pictures.

Difficulty: moderate
Group Size: 15
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Leader: the Lorentz and Stout Families
To sign up contact: Chris Stout, chrisstout@montana.com
On this 4 hour outing we’ll drive to a beautiful lake, Lake Elsina, then hike to another remarkable lake, Lake Dinah. Once at the lake, Ginger Williams, yoga instructor from Optimum Fitness in Seeley Lake will lead an inspiring yoga session. Bring a yoga mat if you wish. The hike is four miles round trip. It takes you to near the top of the Clearwater-Jocko Divide. 

Gail, Sue, Kathy D and Toni took this hike, sponsored by MWA in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passing of hte Wilderness Act. The leaders kept a steady pace, even on the uphill.  The weather cooperated and the huckleberries slowed the leaders a bit as many hikers stopped to pick a few of the juicy treats on the hike to the lake. Some uphill proved challenging despite the short distance of the hike, and Toni --we don't know how she does it--got a guy to take her pack for her!

After the hike, the gals enjoyed the festivities at the MWA 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act celebration behind Lindey's steak house in Seeley Lake, had dinner and then headed to Great Falls, arriving home around 10 p.m.