Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the best hikes in Montana. Some hikers may even consider it the best hike in America. Join us on a trek through the woods to see what makes Avalanche Lake so special.
Two key factors help determine a trail’s popularity: accessibility and scenery. Spectacular views draw people to a trail, and accessibility ensures that those visitors can actually enjoy exploring the trail. While few trails are accessible to all people, the Avalanche Lake hike’s moderate difficulty makes it manageable for a wide audience of hikers. Plus, the Trail of the Cedars section of the hike is accessible using off-road wheelchairs.
Now, let’s dive into the scenery you can look forward to during your Avalanche Lake hike. If you’re looking for crystal clear waters and breathtaking natural landscapes, you’re in luck. Here are seven photos showing off the best of Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Lake hike.
Joshua Tree National Park attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Each guest who enters the park will find something to love, like the famous Joshua trees or dramatic rock formations. However, only adventurers willing to drive a little further into the desert can enjoy the wonders of the Cholla Cactus Garden. Here’s what you should know about this special spot.
A winding road from the park’s north entrance leads drivers on a 12-mile journey to the garden. A small parking area marks the beginning of the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. This flat path takes hikers on a tour of the garden’s unique teddybear cholla. These cacti are covered in thin but sharp spikes that give the plant an almost fuzzy look in the right light. Find out the best times to see them and other helpful tips in the list below.
Mountains, fjords, and glaciers define Norway’s landscape. In a bid to protect these natural wonders against human development and the climate crisis, the country will designate 10 new national parks. Six recognized conservation areas will be reclassified as national parks, and four entirely new areas will also receive national park status. Additionally, Norway will expand eight existing parks. Norwegian officials hope these designations will help protect the country’s biodiversity.
As Norway’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Sveinung Rotevatn explained in a press release translated by Norway Today, “development is taking an increasing toll on nature. Therefore, the government now wants to start more protection processes where both the local municipalities and the Norwegian Environment Agency recommend that a national park is built.”
The six newly designated national parks include Ålfotbreen, Lyngsalpan, Sylan, Trollheimen, Oksøy-Ryvingen, and Flekkefjord-Listastrendene. Moving westward, the four new national parks will include Hornelen, Masfjordfjella, Øystesefjella, and the Sunnmøre Alps. Meanwhile, the existing national parks to be expanded include Rohkunborri, Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella, Skarvan-Roltdalen, Femundsmarka, Dovre, Jostedalsbreen, Jotunheimen, and Raet.
“We’re trying to improve the ecological system as a whole by increasing the percentage of the protected areas in the country, but there’s a sociocultural dimension that involves getting acceptance from the people living in these areas before we can start the process,” Kjell Kvingedal, an environmental director with the Norway government, told Afar.
Currently, 17% of Norway’s land falls under government protection. By 2030, the country hopes to raise that number to 30%. Both Kvingedal and Rotevatn recognize the importance of community support in this process.
“There will always be different views on new protected areas. Some may be unsure of what it may mean for their interests, so we must ensure there are good processes so everyone will have input,” Rotevatn said.
Tourists in Yellowstone National Park last week marveled as a bison placed its massive head upon a boardwalk and used the wood as a chin scratcher. Predictably, the sight inspired some tourists, who might have been dangerously close to begin with, …
Tourists in Yellowstone National Park last week marveled as a bison placed its massive head upon a boardwalk and used the wood as a chin scratcher.
Predictably, the sight inspired some tourists, who might have been dangerously close to begin with, to inch even closer with their cameras.
The encounter occurred near Old Faithful on June 7, a week after a tourist was gored and tossed 10 feet into the air by a bison. The woman was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Photo: Ken Carleton
The accompanying images, captured by Ken Carleton, appeared on Facebook and in the Cowboy State Daily, which showed them to park staff.
Several Facebook users expressed anger over what they perceived to be foolish behavior. Yellowstone officials were not pleased.
Park spokeswoman Linda Veress is quoted: “All of the people were too close and this was an unsafe situation.”
Park regulations mandate that tourists make every attempt to stay at least 25 yards from bison, unpredictable animals that can weigh 2,000 pounds and run 30 mph.
Photo: Ken Carleton
Veress added: “On a boardwalk, [people] should go back the way they came and wait for the animal to leave.”
Carleton, who was visiting from Washington State with his wife and son, said his family learned from the experience.
“We were all caught in the moment,” he told FTW Outdoors. “It was like the bison was showing off. It was very easy to forget, at that moment, about any danger.”
Both bison leaving the boardwalk by way of Old Faithful. Photo: Kody Carleton
Carleton explained that, initially, the bison was spotted 50 feet from the boardwalk, standing still while grazing. “We stopped walking and watched the bison,” Carleton said. “No threats, since the bison was grazing and not really moving in any direction.”
Suddenly, however, the bison angled toward the boardwalk. This split the tourists. Some walked forward to try to stay ahead of the animal, while others stopped and tried to stay behind the animal.
The latter group, while seeming to make the smarter choice, spotted a second bison behind them and became “trapped” between both bison.
About this time, the first bison used the boardwalk as a headrest in a behavior rarely observed. People paused to take photos; some were within than 20 feet.
Thankfully, the bison did not react beyond gazing toward the people.
Said Carleton: “The bison ended up waking around the tree and bushes back toward the trail that came from the river, away from me. That allowed the people who were trapped to continue toward me.
“Both bison crossed over toward Old Faithful. We moved on, into the lodge to the gift shop.”
Carleton added that he was surprised at how quickly a situation can change inside the park and will be more aware of that possibility during his next visit.
