venturing4th: Scenic Point

Scenic Point, or the hike of the "Ghost Trees", is in the Two Medicine area of Glacier. All trails have several scenic points, but this trail actually took us to a high overlook that is called Scenic Point, and Jake's #17 hike. The trail first stops by Appistoki Falls, which because of its location, didn't provide a good picture opportunity. But then we "mercilessly gain elevation" (Jake), and along the way pass through a forest of old, twisted, gray trees which we called "Ghost Trees". Most of the rest of the hike is across a barren, arid valley wall to the summit of the windblown dome known as Scenic Point.

Along the drive to the Two Medicine area, which takes 50 - 60 minutes, there was incredibly beautiful fall scenery. Most of the gold and orange trees are aspen. We think the contrast with the dark green firs and pines is particularly nice.

We also came upon a bear (you can't tell from the picture, but it was a BIG bear) who was foraging along the side of the road.

Fall foliage around Lower Two Medicine Lake.

Appistoki Falls, which is really quite nice but hard to get a good picture of.

As we made the merciless elevation gain (2,300 feet in only 2+ miles), we could look back and see the Two Medicine Lake and Rising Wolf Mountain.

Two Medicine Lake and Sinopah Mountain at its head.

We crossed a saddle and then the trail leveled out for the final mile to Scenic Point, the highest point at the left in this picture. The black spec that you see on the trial is Carson, who you will meet later.

Frederick at the top of Scenic Point.

Hazy (from shooting into the sun) view of the Two Medicine Lake area. Maybe you can make out Upper Two Medicine Lake at the center of the picture. Two Medicine Lake, the larger lake, is over 2,500 vertical feet below.

Looking to the east, the wonderful plains and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation are in view. That's Lower Two Medicine Lake.

Our lunch spot on top of Scenic Point.

Our picture, courtesy of Mike.

One of the best parts of today's hike was meeting Carson (left), Mike, the Dad, and Sydney, on top of Scenic Point. They are from Atlanta and Carson and Sydney are on a one week school break. We were most impressed with Carson and Sydney for making it to the top of Scenic Point. We rarely see hikers of this age making such a demanding hike. Well done!!

On the way down, approaching the saddle that is seen from the other direction in picture #7, above.

We were particularly fascinated with these twisted, gray trees. From Frederick's research we learned that these trees died of white pine blister rust, a fungal disease accidentally introduced from Europe around 1900. These two trees had curved trunks that came together and made a circle.