Hikes: Apgar, the easy alternative

JP EDGE

Hungry Horse News

The hike to Apgar Mountain is relatively moderate, as far as Glacier hikes are concerned. It is only 2.8 miles to the lookout from the trailhead, and climbs 1,835 feet, a good early winter hike, despite the cold weather coming in.

My plans originally had me hiking to Dickey Lake in the North end of the Great Bear Wilderness, which is another moderate 3-mile hike, one way. However, when the weatherman reported possibly light snow, I did not plan to be caught in the middle of a blizzard, and had to turn around a mile short of the lake, as visibility had become a factor. Even the Forest Service road leading to the trailhead was a bit hazardous, and I was in 4x4 low coming off the mountain as thick snowflakes fell onto my windshield.

To compensate for lost time, and for my damaged ego, Apgar Mountain was an easy replacement, and offered excellent views from the lookout. However, the issue was trees that block an amazing view of the surrounding mountains looking out over Lake McDonald, and so for a picture of the lake and mountains, I had to use a telephoto lens to avoid them. There was also a snowman at the base of the lookout that someone had made with the early snowfall.

Once reaching the top of Apgar, the sun peeked through the clouds and revealed how much snow is beginning to build on the peaks. I was also able to see Mount St. Nicholas to the south, which last week was shrouded in clouds. However, this week’s warm weather report may melt much of the snow that I saw, who’s to say for how long.