Swiftcurrent Pass and The Continental Divide

On Sunday (our off day), we decided to explore the area around Granite Park and headed a short distance into some of the deepest wilderness Glacier has to offer.  We approached Ahern Pass, taking the relatively flat but breathtaking mountainside trail above the treeline and just below the contintental divide.  The flat table top mammoth of Fifty Mile Mountain was a constant centerpiece to a ring of snow capped peaks reaching all the way to the Canadian Border.

At the recommendation of one of the Granite Chalet staff, we also attempted to directly access the Swiftcurrent Glacier by climbing a goat trail.  Typical of our past freelance attempts, we ultimately lost the trail (or maybe we never found it) and ended up in the brush on a steep mountainside.  Ultimately, we abadoned that attempt, but managed to get a good look at it from a spur off the Swiftcurrent trail not far from the Chalet.  All in all, we managed over 6 miles on our "off" day.

After a second night at Granite Park, we woke early, ate some breakfast, and headed for Swiftcurrent Pass before 8am.  Although the skies were clear, we didn't want to be caught on the head wall as afternoon storms come rolling in.

Grouse on the trail to the Contintental Divide

Hmm, I wonder if they taste like chicken.

We have just crossed the Continental Divide at Swiftcurent Pass.  It's slightly out of upper right corner of the photo.

Swiftcurrent Glacier

We are just before dropping along the Swiftcurrent Glacier Head Wall at this point.  It's both uplifting and depressing to stand here and clearly see the once great glacier clearly dying.  Less than 100 years ago, it filled this entire basin.  In less than 20 years, this glacier will be gone.

Devil's Elbow

Look closely and you can see where the trail takes a sharp turn and drops just before reaching the waterfall.

We ain't skeered, lol.

Note the piles of rocks:  Some helpful park rangers must have been working to keep the trail from spooking Star, but they missed a few spots.

The end of a switchback, one of many

One Last Look Back

Even though we have now left the Head Wall, we still need to drop 1,000 more ft. and hike 4 more miles to reach our car at the base of the last mountain. We will pass both whitewater and the shores of these beautiful lakes.  Once again, the area is considered grizzly country and an advisory was posted. 

After 6.5 hours of mostly downhill hiking, we arrived back at the car, and went straight to the Swiftcurrent Restaurant for burgers and beers.  There's nothing more satisfying  (well, only a few things).  Ben says I have to take credit for this statement, which seems perfectly obvious and correct to me! (Star)

Yep, this really was the "hike of a lifetime."