Navajo Peak

We drove out to the Stafford Creek Trailhead to hike up to Navajo Peak, a 13.7 mile round trip hike with 4,223 gain in elevation. There were lots of wildflowers in bloom and the views were fabulous! 2 small snow patches below Navajo Peak.

The first five miles goes up through the forest along Stafford Creek. There are several places where boot paths lead to the creek. We also found a few small creeks crossing the trail.

There were many places where the trees thinned and small meadows of wildflowers appeared along the trail.

These first 5 miles go by quickly, we were thankful for the shady areas and for the bright colorful wildflowers along the way.

About 5 miles from the trailhead, the trail goes around a large meadow where we found lots of shooting stars in bloom, across to the other side, the meadow was pink with all the shooting stars.

From the meadow, the trail continues up to Navajo Pass, Navajo Peak in the background.

Earl Peak to the west.

View from Navajo Pass to the north. The pass is 5.5 miles from the trailhead. We took a short lunch break here before continuing up to Navajo Peak.

From Navajo Pass to the Peak, is another mile plus of trail, climbing 1,200 ft. A steep trail, loaded with fabulous views. As we gained elevation, we began to see more peaks in the Enchantments.

Continuing up, we looked back and could see Mt Adams, the Goat Rocks and Mt Rainier to the southwest.

Pano from the summit of Navajo Peak to west and north.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today:

 

Dawson Pass

Third day in Glacier National Park, we drove to Two Medicine to hike to Dawson Pass and back from the Two Medicine Campground, this is a 13.4 mile round trip hike with 2,400' gain.

view of Pray Lake from the bridge going out to the trailhead.











Warning sign at trailhead

The first part of the trail is along the Two Medicine North Shore Trail, most of the trail is in the forest, but there are some nice open areas with views.

Sinopah Mountain at the west end of Two Medicine Lake












looking up at part of Rising Wolf Mountain to the north

Sinopah Mountain as we near the west end of Two Medicine Lake









pretty butterfly

Only a bit of noise gave away the presence of this bull moose in the bushes near the trail.
We backed down the trail and waited for him to move.










We were fortunate to watch this moose cross across the trail.

Pumpelly Pillar Spire in the distance as we start to make our way up the Dawson Pass Trail.












Looking back towards Two Medicine Lake

moose print on the trail

Enjoying the start of fall colors among these peaks.

There were some wildflowers in bloom along the tail.

As we gained elevation, we had nice views of Two Medicine Lake in the center and No Name Lake to the right.











Panoramic view from Dawson Pass to the west: Mount Phillips dominates the skyline

Flinsch Peak to the north













Pano from Dawson Pass to the east:

Enjoyed the views as we returned back the way we had come, Two Medicine Lake below

Sinopah Mountain

Rising Wolf Mountain













Pano along Two Medicine Lake looking to the south:

some of the flora we saw along the trail today: