Today's Hike

Today I hiked 8 miles with an elevation gain of 2400 ft to reach the Granite Park Chalet. 

Granite Park Chalet was built in 1914 and 1915 by the Great Northern Railway to provide comfortable back country accommodations inside Glacier National Park. It was the last of the chalets built by the railroad and one of the only two back country chalets that have survived. Today this rustic lodge is listed as a National Historic Landmark and it continues to provide comfortable lodging to backpackers.  This Chalet made history in the 1960's when two girls where killed by a bear while they slept outside the Chalet.  After this event a movie was made called "The Night of the Grizzly".  Not to worry, they have a ranger assigned to this area and have changed many policies to prevent any such event from happening in the future.  On the trail I met a hiker from Green Bay, Wisconsin.  As we hiked together for some ways I learned he was an funeral director.  He learned I was a preacher.  We had quite the conversation that only those in our profession would probably appreciate.  As I was on today's hike, the military men of our church such as Ian Gerdes, Jim Modlin, Tom Fitzpatrick and Tim Rietkirk came to my mind.  As I was puffing to make it up the mountain with my 20 lb pack I realize they hike with 100 plus lb packs, in conditions worse than I am hiking, with distances longer than what I am doing, in a fraction of the time it takes me.  As I was hiking I had a renewed appreciation for their abilities and stamina. 

The view from the front porch of the Chalet