Glacier County

Montana

National Parks hold a special place in my heart. I want to go to all American National Parks before I die. I have seen my fair share to date. A few summers ago now I traveled to Colorado to drive through some of the ones I have not seen. I started in Rocky Mountain National park, went to the Tetons, then Yellowstone. At this point one would think I would be saturated with mountains, rivers, and vistas. What awaited me at Glacier National Park is beyond belief. I had never seen vistas more intensely beautiful. For a park that is covered in snow the majority of the year it was full of life. Every single turn in the road looked like something I could only have dreamed of. It was by far, the most beautiful place I have ever been. Words can not describe the majesty of what awaited me when I arrived. Mountains rose before you, close enough you would think they are only a few hundred feet away, but you could see the base and the peaks at the same time. The mountains filled with emerald green grass and snow at the same time. Forests with lichens and moss scattered wherever the sun would hit.

This photo was the very first place I stopped inside the park. The sign was right behind me. To me, this park defines Why we need to keep these places preserved. Even with millions of tourists each year I felt I was alone, looking at these wild landscapes, clean and untouched by any human.

#nationalpark

Our favorite campsite of 2014. The scenery simply can not be beat! That's our RV right in the center. No hookups or internet at this campground, but with views like this we didn't mind at all! #twomedicine #camping #glacier #nationalpark #montana #blue

#blue

While in a Glacier a couple of years ago, I stopped by the Many Glacier area and caught this shot in early afternoon.

The hike to Apikuni Falls (also spelled "Appekunny Falls") begins from the Poia Lake Trailhead, located 2.8 miles west of the Many Glacier entrance. Although it's a fairly popular hike, there's limited parking for only 12 cars or so.

From the side of the road the trail starts off in an open field known as Apikuni Flat. Although you can't actually see the falls from the trailhead, you can see the general location of your destination. Look for the notch between Atlyn Peak and Apikuni Mountain, the two mountains almost directly in front of you. Although it's a short hike, the vantage point from the trailhead reveals a relatively steep climb.

Roughly two-tenths of a mile from the trailhead you'll reach a young aspen grove. Just beyond this grove the trail begins a steep ascent through pine forest and several thimbleberry patches. Hikers will climb almost 500 feet in less than a half-mile. Along the way you'll notice several short side trails leading to vantage points that provide good views of the surrounding mountains, as well Cracker Flats in the valley below.

Near Cracker Flats is the former site of Altyn, an old mining town that received its name from one of the financial backers of the Cracker Lake Mine, Dave Greenwood Altyn. The town was established after copper was discovered on the shores of Cracker Lake in 1897. Altyn was active from 1898 through 1902, had a peak population of 600-800 people, and boasted a store, post office, hotel, newspaper, saloons, and many of the other establishments typically found in boomtowns. Although the copper vein looked promising, the mine went bust, and so with it the town. The former townsite was buried under water after the Lake Sherburne reservoir filled the valley in 1921.

Roughly two-thirds of a mile from the trailhead you'll reach a relatively level spot on the trail. It's here for the first time that you'll be able to hear the roar of the falls in the distance. Walk just a little further up the trail and you'll get a tremendous bird's eye view of the waterfall as it tumbles more than 100 feet down the cliff face. From this point the trail continues towards the base of the falls.

At roughly eight-tenths of a mile you might think that you've reached the end of the trail. However, you should be able to make it all the way to the base of the falls with a relatively easy scramble up the rocks.

Apikuni Falls plunges off a cliff face in two separate tiers. The first tier is a free fall off the top of the cliff, while the second section is more of a cascade. Below the main waterfall is a series of smaller falls and cascades, all combining to make one beautiful scene.

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