Garnett Ghost Town

Garnett Montana, a little ghost town tucked in the mountains just East of Missoula.

"it just becomes mind over matter", "if you don't mind, it don't matter."

"reaching the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory"

-Ed Viesturs on mountain climbing from his book

NO SHORTCUTS TO THE TOP

Kurt and I hiked the Big Snowy Crest trail above Crustal Lake. We peaked out at 8240ft and enjoyed spectacular views. We also ventured through Devil's Chute cave which had nice ice formations from dripping water. We hiked a spur trail into Crystal Cascades which is serious of falls over layers of rock. At about 6300ft elevation the trails cut through large scree fields which have fossils of shells. Larkspur and other wild flowers where in bloom making the area even more eye catching.

We had fun on our 11.9 mile hump and the scenery was worth the soar legs. The Big Snowy mountains are a fun place to spend some time hiking or camping and I am sure I will end up there more on future treks.

From Logan Pass visitor center we picked up the Highline Trail head. This 11.6 mile trek strats off hugging the rocky clif before leading us along the Garden Wall. We moved along under the watch of Bishop's Cap and the Salemander. Portions of the trail still held snow and we encounterd many small run off streams. Goats and Sheep are encountered close up along the trail. The views are nothing short of spectacular with long vistas of the mountains and vallies.

Cedar root system! A peak of Avalanche Lake along the trail. This 2.9 mile hike has a little of everything from a nice board walk through massive Cedars, Avalanche creek pouring through a narrow gorge with beautiful rock formations, lush fern and wild flowers along the trail and of course the lake itself set in a semi-circle of peaks with mountains falls cascading down like thin white ribbons from high snow pack.

Avalanche Creek running through a narrow gorge. This is just up from the trail of cedars loop and leads to Avalanche lake.

Canoe on Two Medicine lake

Mitch and I took a canoe ride up the length of Two Medicine lake. Sinopah is th large peak just right of center here. Two Medicine is our favorite camping spot in Glacier National Park.