After about 1500ft (420m) of hot open hillside elevation gain, we finally came to the edge of the 2003 burn area and entered a section of cool, shady forest. The grade also eased here, for we were - at nearly 6000 feet - approaching the flattish sub-alpine region known as Granite Park. It would not be long now before we arrived at the Granite Park Chalet.
courtesy JInnes
Entering non-burned forest
Meadows near Granite Park
courtesy JInnes
A pleasant walk of another 30 minutes or so through intermittent forest and alpine meadows brought us to within sight of the Granite Park Chalet, perched on a knoll about 300 feet above us. We had been pushing fairly continuously up the 6km of distance and 2000 ft (600m) of elevation since our departure at the Loop, and we were looking forward to a nice long lunch break at the Chalet.
courtesy JInnes
First look at Garden Wall
We arrived at the Granite Park Chalet at precisely 12 noon, two hours and forty minutes after starting out from The Loop trailhead. Circling around to the front of the main building at the Chalet complex, we laid our gear down and took up spots on the shady porch.
The Granite Park Chalet is a historic structure built in the early 1900s by the Great Northern Railroad company. It is still in operation today as lodging for park visitors. One must make reservations in advance to stay here. However, for visitors, there is a concession stand in the main dining area that offers snacks and beverages to all. Jenn, Chris and I availed ourselves of some beverages of the Pepsi variety.
Arriving Granite Park Chalet
At this point, the majority of elevation changes were over. From the Chalet, we would start walking on the Highline Trail itself, and the Highline Trail, by its very nature, tends to run along at a mostly level elevation on the western slopes of the Continental Divide. At its far southern end, the Highline Trail does not descend. Instead, it simply terminates at 6600ft/2000m Logan Pass.
Happy even after 2500 feet
Daddy and Evie and Heaven's Peak
With everyone cooled off, dried off, rehydrated and snacked up, we made ready to continue our journey.
courtesy JInnes
Chris and Evie and Garden Wall
Interior, Granite Park Chalet
Beargrass and Garden Wall
Cassándra was leaving us after this outing, for she had to return to work the next day in Lake Louise. Owing to our late start, Cassándra had an eye on the clock, hoping to finish the hike no later than about 4pm. This would allow her to arrive at her destination in Alberta at a reasonable hour.
In order to facilitate this, before leaving the Granite Park Chalet, we agreed to split up into two groups: myself and the Hatko family in one group, and Jenn and Cassándra in the other. The idea was to streamline the necessary car shuttling operation in order to allow Cassándra to begin her long car journey as early as possible. As a side bonus, it would mean that our (mine and the Hatko's) group would probably not have to do any waiting once we arrived back at Logan Pass (since the car shuttle operation to fetch Chris' silver Ford Focus from the lower parking lot would have already been completed).
Distant Granite Park Chalet
