Road Trip ’25 – Day 5a – Experiencing Glacier National Park in 10 hours

Day 5 – a full day in a National Park, and a full to to experience the Crown of the National Park system. Now in truth, we had about ten hours. Ten hours to see what I wish we had weeks to do. Glacier National Park (GNP) in ten hours – it’s going to be a wild day.

Breakfast at the Lake MacDonald Lodge … and quite a breakfast it was. We partook of it quickly for we were there as soon as the doors opened. Then, we headed out to Logan’s Pass parking lot … and today we would get there earlier then the day before. 

An interesting twist to GNP, the bathrooms. Due to some issue, the bathrooms at Logan Pass have been closed. The chemical latrines are still available there and along the Going to the Sun Road, and even on some of the trails. (Well, most of them)

I found that GNP has some interesting potty break spots. Near Logan Pass is a stop that has a bathroom built into the mountain side. Quite an interesting marvel. 

And more than that, they have a few pit potty spots on the trails. Means no privacy to any and all on the trail. Yowza.

Still, not early enough to get to Logan Pass. But today, we had a plan, albeit a selfish one. Today, I would get out of the car and my wife would circle the lot looking, hoping, and praying that a spot would open up. I would take a quick trek on the most famous trail in GNP, the Highline Trail. The trail is a 7.6 mile difficult trail with breathtaking views and narrow trail along the cliff of the Garden Wall. 

Just a few weeks ago, an elderly hike (yes, near my age) fell down off the trail, down the mountain side and she did not survive. 

I only did hike the trail – well about a mile in and back. I got to walk along the cliffside, held the skinny cable (covered by a water hose?) and stopped to take a few pics. It was also here I had a humorous and humbling moment. I also broke hiking protocol. You see, occasionally I collect rocks from trails – and sometimes a larger stone, say 20-30 lbs, and put it in my backpack. Yeah Yeah – sue me. Well today, I found one, and then another one. The second was red lie the GNP is famous for. What I didn’t take into account was I had to hike back to the parking lot with 40-50 extra pounds. And, it was up hill. 

About halfway back, I realized I needed to shift my backpack, so I unhooked the waist belt of the pack. But it wasn’t the pack I unbuckled – it was my pants. Within a few yards my pants began to fall – right about the time a mother and daughter came around the bend. Panic. My Kuhl’s were making my privates a bit too cool due to the weather.

Okay, don’t worry, this event was kept PG13. I stopped and awkwardly readjusted. I laughed and kept moving.

I made it back to the parking lot without any more humiliating moments. 

I barely scratched the surface of the Highline Trail’s beauty

Now, Lisa was still circling. She is a keeper!

Lesson – take care when you unbuckle your backpack. 

———————————————

We continued on the eastern part of the GTTR. But I will save that. Tomorrow, more on this day – St Mary Lake and Village – a burned out cabin – and going a little off trail.

For those looking for more ‘what to do in GNP’ or ‘top trails in GNP’ … check out the YouTube of ‘Dirt in my Shoes’ – she gives great insight to Glacier NP.