Bullhead Lake

As Jake states, "Bullhead Lake is the perfect trail if you want to take a longer hike that remains mostly level, offers picturesque views, and provides great chances to see wildlife." Bullhead Lake is #8 on Jake's "Order of Hikes" list - out of 88 hikes. Since we have done a couple of semi-strenuous hikes in the past week, we thought Jake's description of this hike just fit-the-bill so off we went, returning to the Many Glaciers area of Glacier National Park, where the trailhead is located. The weather has taken a turn for the worse - very windy and cold - so we thought a low-land hike would be better than tackling the higher elevations and passes.

The trail began along the Swiftcurrent Valley floor among groves of aspen interspersed with lodgepole pine. The aspen in the valley are noticeably more green than the higher elevation ones that have turned golden. We began hiking a 1 p.m., and the weather was a mix of weak sunshine and threatening clouds over the surrounding mountain peaks. First up was the shore of Fishercap Lake.

Further along the trail we took a short spur to view Redrock Falls, a beautiful cascading falls.

And still another falls on the Swiftcurrent River.

A clear view of Swiftcurrent River.

Crossing a suspension bridge on the way to Bullhead lake - still some sunshine.

At approximately 3.5 miles in we arrived at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the largest body of Bullhead Lake - just as the rain began to fall. That's Swiftcurrent Glacier on the east face of Swiftcurrent Mountain.

Views around Bullhead Lake, Mount Wilbur to the north.

Some fall color at the base of Iceberg Peak.

Heading back in the on-again-off-again rain.

Along the way, in an open meadow, we met Anna, from Greenfield, Massachusetts. She had some great binoculars and a sharp eye and helped us find some mountain goats high up on the cliff across the valley.

One mountain goat, captured with the telephoto lens, and...

another mountain goat lying down on a mountain ledge. Thanks, Anna, for helping us find these elusive animals.

At one point there was the hint of a rainbow to the southeast.

At another opening, some other hikers helped us see this herd of mountain goats on this side of the valley, high up the side of the mountain. 

A single mountain goat a little further along the wall.

Fall color and rain over Redrock Lake.

Guest facilities at Many Glaciers close in two days so we thought we had better take the opportunity to have dinner in the Many Glaciers Hotel. Both of us, for the first time, ordered bison tenderloin - which wasn't very tender. Bison, we think, are a much "tougher" animal than beef cattle. But at least we can now say that we have tasted bison.

Hike statistics:

Length - 7.16 miles

Elevation gain - 200 feet (105 floors on the Fitbit)

Duration - 3 hours, 27 minutes