man sitting on cone rock spreading hands

My husband and I were exploring the trail to Hidden Lake in West Glacier, when we spotted a ridge line to our right. We knew it was the perfect spot to wander off the beaten path. We scaled up steep loose rock, boulders tumbling beneath our feet, and followed the mountain’s curves up a more solid incline until we came to a giant rock. It was the mountain’s vertical boundary for us, since crampons were needed to scale any further up into the slick summer glacier slush. Sensing the perfect photo op, my husband hopped up on the rock, dark cliffs looming behind him and this view in front of him.