Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge, Aug. 4, 2018

Panoramic Views Aren't Diminished Due to Reynolds Creek Fire

The four of us travelled together from Great Falls arriving at the Sunrift Gorge parking area , along the Going to the Sun Road , just in time to quickly gather our gear and catch the 7:55 am park shuttle to the Piegan Pass trailhead. The shuttle driver stopped once along the 4.7 miles up the road for a potential glance of a bear that had crossed the road from St Mary’s lake and into the brush on the other side. Sadly we weren’t able to see the bear who had managed to escape us!

​The shuttle dropped us off at the Piegan Pass /Siyeh Bend loop trailhead and after a quick group photo, we headed up  the trail , gradually climbing through the forest enjoying many wildflowers and stream crossings along the way to the junction. 

We parted ways with other hikers at the Siyeh Bend loop trail junction and  headed west up the trail through Preston Park, which offers beautiful alpine meadows,  stream crossings , a bit of bear scat and impressive views of Mt. Siyeh  to the north , over 10,000 feet high!!!

Our gradual climb, quickly converted into some strenuous switchbacks ( 2300 ft. elevation gain) taking us up to the Pass which offers commanding panoramic views - well worth the climb!  After making our way around a ledge to the other side of the pass, we stopped for lunch and were entertained by 2 ground squirrels who snuck around our packs hoping for some cast-offs!!  

During lunch we were entertained by some hikers who were climbing up a nearby peak, only seeing their silhouettes as they made to the very top!! Very impressive stuff, probably meant for more agile climbers.  Having sent a signal from the spot finder from the top of the pass,  we headed down the rocky switchbacks for 5.5 miles through a variety of terrain and ever changing   views- all spectacular.   We descended 3400 feet through rocky terrain to alpine and finally through the burn area of the Reynolds Creek fire.

​The trail was blanketed with lush green bear grass and beautiful wild flowers growing in and amongst the charred tree remains.  After enjoying a rest break along the creek with waterfall , we arrived back at the Sunrift Gorge parking lot at 3:45 pm having escaped the predicted thunderstorms which happily never materialized! We enjoyed an ice cold “Rev Honey” drink supplied to us by Josy, our driver!!  Yumm!

​We hopped in the car and drove to St. Mary lodge , hung out in the lounge for a while making a plan to drive the cut across to Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier!! We dined together at the Lodge- topping it off by sharing a delicious huckleberry bread pudding dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice! cream and a great cup of coffee. We left Paula behind at the lodge awaiting her hubby to pick her up. The 3 of us drove back home arriving in Great Falls at 11 pm. What a great day- one of the best hikes in the park for sure!!!  

Who attended; Paula O., Beth T. ,Sue M. and Josy M.  

​Some of the flowers on the trail included: Indian Paint Brush, Sego Mariposa Lily, Columbine, Camas lily, Pasque flower, Blanket flower, Cow parsnips, Beargrass, Subalpine spirea, Wild Bergamot,, Fireweed, 

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Sue's Pix