INCH Hike: McDonald Falls, Avalanche Lake, and Hidden Lake Overlook

461. McDonald Falls, Avalanche Lake, and Hidden Lake Overlook (08/26/05)

Hikers (11): Carissa, Chester, Eugene, George, Janice, Paul, Peter, Ross, Sue, Taylor, Terry
Distance: 10 miles
Rating: 2 difficulty, 10 beauty
Park info: Glacier National Park in Montana

Peter owes a writeup! -- Pictures by George and Sue

Ross and Terry (can you see them?) at the Sacred Dancing Falls upstream from McDonald Falls

Approaching Avalanche Lake with the falls in the distance

Having lunch along Avalanche Creek on the way back

At the Logan Pass museum, Taylor discovers she's no match for a momma grizzly

Hidden Lake from the overlook

A friend met up with us near the lake

And another one was waiting for us back at the car
Note -- the hike is officially listed as 10 miles, but:

Carissa, Chester, and George stopped at the near end of Avalanche Lake (1 less mile)
Paul, Peter, Ross, Sue, and Terry walked an extra mile up the unmaintained trail to Avalanche Falls
Paul and Ross walked an extra 3 miles down to Hidden Lake (Janice walked about halfway there)

For more great shots, check out George and Sue's albums.

Milestones:
Eugene's 280^th leaf
Sue's 80^th leaf
Terry's 1^st leaf