patch of beargrass along Swiftcurrent Pass Trail

Rumor has it that the magnificent beargrass is a hard plant to figure out. Some years the plant flourishes in Glacier National Park, and in others it can be rather difficult to come by. Some friends and I hiked through this nice little patch en route to Swiftucurrent Pass from Many Glacier. It's a rather strenuous hike up to the pass, as the massive switchbacks seem never-ending, especially on a hot July day! We hiked over the pass, which takes you south (camera left) of Swiftcurrent Mountain, down through Granite Park Chalet, and ended up at The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Altogether, the hike was about 13 miles long.

7 July 2008