Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: June 22, 2022
We hiked 4.3 miles on a beautiful but moderate trail with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. The trailhead began across from Lake McDonald Lodge. Carrying my can of bear spray we hiked over a creek and ascended through a forest of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees with a few high-altitude views of Lake McDonald to the west. We passed several deer and lots of squirrels. The winding path snaked up the mountain to one opening in the trees where we saw Fish Lake. Lots of bear grass plants along the trail kept as reminded to be on the lookout for grizzly bears. At an altitude of 6,550 feet, this was a good test for my healed lungs. After descending the trail, we walked over to the old lodge where many elk, bear and moose heads adorned the walls by the fireplace. Parked outside was a vintage 1936 Red Jammer Tour bus/car, used from the to take tourists on tours of the park. Driving back a black cat shaped animal darted in front of us. We never could identify it as it was shaped like a bobcat but the wrong color. That night we enjoyed a salmon and asparagus dinner at the KOA Campground in front of an outdoor fireplace with beautiful scenery in the distance.
