Jackson Glacier Overlook. So much NOT overlook.

Original Post 8/29/2021

Today I was looking for a good trail hike that I haven’t done. That is actually getting kind of tough, I’m sad and yet happy to say. So settled on the Jackson Glacier Overlook.

About 15-16 miles there and back, around 2400 gain/loss, commute is to the east of the pass, and it just barely fits within my time constraints for a workday. I had to leave early (my classic modus operandi this entire season).

The hiking trail has the same name as the viewpoint pullout on the road, so this trip will give me great details for Jammer Tour stories next summer.

It would be really nice to tell people I’ve hiked into the very heart of the vista they are enjoying, and touched it. Plus I haven’t been to Gunsight Lake for many years, and I’m betting it would look good in the morning light.

I started a little later than I wanted to. Targeted 6am to maximize trail time, but sunrises have really gotten later now that we are almost into September. It was too dark for my liking. The first few miles of this trail have heavy tree cover and you almost can’t even see the sky.

I hiked this stretch for Florence Falls. It’s thick foliage, wet, dark, bottom land, and berries everywhere making it bear heaven. I have no problem starting a hike on lamp, just not too fond of walking up on a bear with nothing but a tiny flashlight on my head.

Sure enough, I get 200 feet down the trail and a big pile of bear scat. It’s 100% huckleberries. No sticks, no twigs, just a 3-pound pile of what looks like purple caviar (at least to one Ohio lawyer I know). It made me think of Lopi Luwak coffee.

You know, when the plantation owners in Southeast Asia pick the digested beans out of the poop of a palm civet (some cat like monkey thing) and charge up to $600 a pound for it. It made me wonder if bears have the same ‘catch and release’ process with huckleberries?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have any fresh scones or toast with me for an taste test, but I’m sure some of that ursa major flavor must have been infused.

I met a couple on the trail scared of bears. Wanted to hike with me. Hmmm, I’ve got 400 miles under my belt. They just got off the plane from NH last night. Yeah. But I found out, they were really serious.

So I let them tag along behind for a bit, and then after the husband took the 3rd hit off his inhaler, I finally decided to embrace this unexpected social opportunity and slow down. With my hiking body on autopilot, I went into talking mode.

Gave them a great bit on the flora, fauna, place names, and history until we reached their turnoff (they were going over Gunsight Pass, but stopping at Florence Falls first). Nice random people.

I need to sometimes slow down and remember it’s the journey and not always making the destination on time. I hate playing beat-the-clock when I’m on the trail.

I love this lake. It has been so long since I’ve been here. I camped here with three other park employees in 1986 because we were climbing Mt Jackson.

Amazing what you can do when you are 20 with no fear, borrowed gear, and a pair of canvas hi-tops. If I recall correctly, I had torn my shorts on the prior hike, so I have summit photos with me in swim trunks.

I cross the lake outlet and take off into the Jackson Glacier Basin. This looks to be an old trail which has not been maintained since Nixon was in office.

I’m sure it was once a part of the Glacier pack saddle system at the turn of the century. Back when the horse was still the king of transportation. It was very overgrown with some old washout areas. From the hoof marks and occasional boot print it is not used much.

This trail is critical to getting access to Mt Blackfoot and Mt Logan. Those two climbs have been on my list for years. What a great day for a scouting trip! I had a steep 700 feet to climb once I left the trail fork at Gunsight lake.

The forest was starting to thin pretty quickly. That’s when I heard her. Good thing I had the earbuds out and the music off.

The mother grizzly was only 40 yards off the trail above me, tearing up an expansive berry patch. I froze. Didn’t move a muscle. Then there was a secondary movement. I could see a cub only 20 yards away. Looked about a year old.

I was downwind of them, and I still had some thin tree cover. Stood there quietly for a very long minute, but I was just way too close. And with being that close to the cub, I was in easy charging distance if she sensed any danger. Danger. Danger. Danger. Run Dave!!

For a moment I thought about sneaking by her; get around the to next drainage deeper into the valley I wanted to explore. But then on the return I would have no idea where she had moved to forage. I smiled.

One thing I’ve learned this summer is that these mountains will always be here. And I can always return if I’m not mauled to death. My trip was done, and I gave the bears their peace on their mountain today. Got the hell out of there as fast as I could.

I felt much safer back at Gunsight Lake:

It was then about five to six miles back to the car. But the sun was out, the sky was blue, and I was still alive. Another hike that goes into the win column. I had plenty of time since I cut the Blackfoot/Logan basin short, and could really enjoy the blue sky.

I only have four days left and I’ve lined up about 50 miles. So probably looking like a 450 season. And I lost so much weight I have to wear a coat all of the time to stay warm now. And had to put a new hole in my belt.

So many First World problems. 🙂