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| Goat Haunt to Lake Janet Camp, MT | | -
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| | Goat Haunt to Lake Janet Camp, MT | | | |
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Goat Haunt to Lake Janet Camp, MT
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| Backpack | 4.38 Miles |
1,035 AEG |
| | Backpack | 4.38 Miles | 2 Hrs 52 Mns | | 1.72 mph |
| 1,035 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | The day before: after breakfast we headed out from the ranch for Waterton. We had to stop in Shelby to pick up the Fireball and some lunch at Cut Bank before making it to the park. I took the new route I found from Browning to Glacier Park, it's so much nicer plus we got to see the herd of bison up on the hill. We paid our entrance fee and then went to pick up our permit (tried to get a different campsite for our first nite without success), watch the required movie (it's the new version) and then head north. It was a blustery day and you could see the smoke from the BC and other fires. It was free to get into Waterton Park as part of Canada's 150th Year celebration.
Finally the day had arrived and despite a slight cold, we were off... well almost. I somehow forgot to bring either of my water tubes with me so I ended up having to buy a new bladder at Tamarack Outfitters the night before and we bot a couple Canadian MREs that we wouldn't eat this time but take with us back to Arizona.
We couldn't find a place to park at the marina so we had to park in town over by another motel and hope that our vehicle would still be there when we came back from our 4 day backpack. So now, off we went with our backpacks on, but wait, we needed to get sandwiches and some cold medicine so we stopped at the local convenience store, Pat's, to pick up what we needed.
And now, we're off, oh wait, we have to take the boat first (we had made reservations the previous day so we just had to wait in line).
And the boat ride started off with a bang as we got to watch a bear swim to shore and then walk along it for a bit so that was pretty cool. The narrator told us the lake is generally never this calm as we sailed south to the border, the USA border. The narrator's voice was not the best so we weren't able to hear a lot of what he said. We landed and finally we were on our way, but wait, we have to walk 1/4 mile via people traffic (started RS too soon as this was a slow walk) over to Goat Haunt and go thru US Customs. And now, we are officially on our way. Whew!
The trail was a little confusing at first as there are several in this area and they are not necessarily named Boulder Pass but after momentary review we continued on our way. The trail was nicely manicured at least for a short bit before the sides became overgrown which would be the theme for a lot of this hike in the Olson Valley. But at least it was non-sticky overgrowth and we plodded along. You follow alongside the mostly invisible Olson Creek for this hike except for the one bridge you have to cross unless you opted for the Horse Ford. It's tricky crossing this bridge; especially with a heavy pack and poles and a camera in your hand.
We continued through the forest that had a heavy surplus of berry plants before you start the uphill portion. We would stay at this uphill grade until we got to our camp past Lake Janet. Along the way you get some great views of the Citadel Peaks (especially if you zoomed) and then of Porcupine Ride before you finally arrive at the north edge of Janet Lake. I am not sure why we called it Lake Janet dam it but we did. There were some great reflections once we found a spot to get thru the brush to the limited beach of this glacially fed lake.
The hiking scenery opens up for a bit around here so you can admire it better until it closes down just as fast but the berries make you not care so much about that. The flora (mostly thimbleberry) is as tall as Wendy during a lot of this hike. We did encounter other dayhikers and a few backpackers and a forest worker and his ponies. I was glad it was a shorter day so that I could gain my hiking legs though I struggled with my right side for a couple days for some reason. We went right over to the food prep area as that is what they want you to do. Hang your food first and then go to the campsite to set up your sleeping quarters.
We had some wine and then set about trying to hang the bear bags. Wendy was the bag hanger and did a pretty good job. We then set up camp and came back to have our Pad Thai dinner. And come to find out, we think almost everyone on the Boulder Pass Trail had Pad Thai as it came up in our discussions. The couple that would join us later were having Pad Thai that night as well. After hanging out for awhile at the Food Prep area and talking with the other couple we all retired for the nite. There are two campsites here and we were in the upper site. We think this is the nicer site as you have open views vs the other in the forest.
Video including swimming bear, Waterton Lake, hike: [ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Lots and lots of berries; mostly thimble and huckle |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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