Best hikes for the strong of leg

What can you expect to see? Well...

IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is not to be missed. That's a photo of an ecstatic me on this trail.
You can start from the Many Glacier Hotel (or the nearby trailhead), hike along several lakes, then start your climb. This is serious grizzly country, but I've also seen bighorn sheep and mountain goats here. Carry plenty of water; the trail climbs and climbs, ending at a glacier field that's great to roll in on a hot summer's day.

St. Mary's Falls starts right along the Going-To-The-Sun road and is a short downhill walk (maybe 1.5 miles). The falls are nice, the trail is wide and shady. If you're game, go on past the falls because there are a series of oth er falls along the trail. Great, uncrowded lunch spots when you want to get away from the crowds.

Iceberg Lake is an amazing place. I've been there on the hottest day of the year and huge bergs still float in the aquamarine waters. Take your field glasses; you can usually spot goats on the mountain wall opposite the lake. Onc e I saw two moose grazing along this trail, imperially oblivious to humans. Again, this is bear country, so make plenty of noise on the trail and respect who lives there.

Lunch Creek isn't really a hike, but it's a magical little spot on the east side of the pass where I often stop and search for wildflowers and huckleberries. Walk away from the hairpin turn of the road, let the sound of the creek drown out the traffic and you're in heaven.

So many more hikes in the park enchant visitors, but I'll let you find the uncrowded trails and feel like the first human in eons to find the perfect waterfall and meadow. If you want to know more, check out the National Park Service species list. Then see why it's hard to take a bad photo in Glacier, whether amateur or professional.

And whatever you do, watch your step.

IN THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS
The Kootenai Creek trail, just north of Stevensville west off U.S. 93, is a terrific day hike if you're in the area. Three miles to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, along a creek, with plenty of rocks to ponder. The Idaho Batholith is responsible. (Look it up.)

Lolo Pass is a great hiking and cross-country skiing area. Take U.S. 12 west off U.S. 93 to the Idaho state line. You'll be following the historic Lewis and Clark trail, so stop and read the road signs. Better yet; buy a copy of their journals and read 'em as you roll.
If you're at the pass in June, see the incredible camas bloom. These blue flowers bloom in such profusion that the field looks like a lake. Salish Indians used to dig up the bulbs for food.
If you're there in early August, go up there on a moonless night and watch the Perseid meteor shower.
If you're lucky enough to come in winter, bring your skinny skis. Groomed and ungroomed trails.

Ever hear a wolf howl