Hiking In Glacier National Park

Do you ever just do things spontaneously? Unplanned, unexpected, just on a whim? I sure do. Seems more often then not in my life. When adventure is dropped in front of me, I have no choice but to do it. My adventuring nomadic soul just won’t have it any other way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided a night or two in Golden, British Columbia was an absolute must. The area, and the place always fills my soul with high vibe energy. This time around I figured I would check into a hostel. For ol’ time sake. It had been quite some time since I have stayed in a hostel. Although I am no novice, as my many years of backpacking around the globe brought me to many different hostels in my treks. I figured it would be a nice change, and being low season at the moment, I knew it would be super tranquil. Which it was.

It didn’t take me long to meet another solo female traveler. It is amazing how fast you connect with people in a hostel environment. That is one thing I absolutely love about hostels – you meet so many people. Don’t get me wrong, I love my ‘me time’ in hotels, but on the flip side, I am also a social butterfly.

My new friend Laurence, had mentioned to me that she planned on going for a little hike in Glacier National Park. I was instantly perked up to the idea of a good hike out in nature. It took basically no convincing me at all to join in. Being totally unprepared for hiking did not even cross my mind. I was all in.

Before we even ventured off for our hike we stopped at the National Park information center to find out about hikes in the area, as well as weather status. We ended up deciding on Illecillewaet Valley, and a cruisey 4.2 km hike.

When we arrived it was colorful, and beautiful fall weather. So it seemed. As we progressively climbed higher it began snowing, and by time we finished the hike it was as though winter had arrived. It didn’t take away from the amazing experience though. Not in the slightest.

The trails are incredible, very well maintained, and the scenery is amazing.

The scenery also continually changes as you climb. From deep forest to rocks and bushes sprawling across the mountain valley. I was in awe. Considering I was not dressed for hiking, I managed to do pretty well.

Although the way down was damp, as the snow was very wet, and by time we hiked a ways down, I had a nice blanket of it on me.

That hike was so good, that I could not pass up the opportunity to do a second hike the next day. This time a longer one. 6 km up, and approximately 6 hours in total for time. The same mountain, just a different route. This day I was a little more prepared for the journey.

This day looked like winter when we arrived, and as we climbed the snow just got deeper and deeper. Also steeper and steeper.

I was loving the trails on this one, and the absolutely stunning scenery along the way.  It was along side a never ending stream, and the sounds were so soothing.

 This was a nice little bit of green poking out.

By time we hiked nearly to the top, visibility was becoming quite poor, the snow quite deep and we had worked up appetites. So we decided it was time to dine.

Of course every classy lady is equipped with her portable kitchen.

We found the perfect rock to sit under and catch a bit of a break from the snowy conditions.

A simple lunch of Mr.Noodles, and coffee was on the menu. It is so rare I eat anything like Mr. Noodles, and let me tell you, I have never been so excited for it in my life either. That steamy warm soup was so darn good, especially when you are cold and hiking up a blizzardy mountain.

Going down this mountain was a bit more of a feat. It was steep, snowy, and slippery! Seriously. I bit the snow a couple of times, and so did my travel buddy. All in the spirit of adventure! I felt pretty good about only wiping out 2 times though. I expected a lot more.

These hikes were ridiculously awesome. I felt so accomplished after a couple days of mountaineering. It made me want to for sure spend a heck of a lot more time enjoying expeditions in the mountains. It was also so fantastic to hang out with another lady who loves solo travels and pushing the adventure limits as much as I do.

This little adventure came at the perfect time, just when my travel bug had been really acting up and gnawing on my insides. The stay at a hostel, adventures with a new friend from abroad, whom which I have so much in common with, and immersing myself with nature – it all calmed my travel bugs woes for the moment. Kind of like a nap. ‘There, there little travel bug, just have a nap and before you know it you will be waking up to another global adventure’……

The best part is, for a few moments I felt like I was back on my global adventures. It both soothed the soul and stoked the fire.

Let’s just say, keep your mind open to spontaneous activities in life, because more often then not, it will be better then you imagine, something you won’t soon forget, and exactly what you needed.