Government shutdown doesn't hamstring solo hikes

Much has been made of the federal government shutdown in terms of how it affects our national parks, but from my limited perspective, the impact seems to be minimal in terms of the park and not of the people who work there.

Since the shutdown began Dec. 22, 2018, I, along with coworkers and acquaintances have been to Glacier National Park.

There have been a few rules violations - namely some dogs running loose on park trails where they wouldn’t normally be allowed to roam.

Not that I’m condoning people exercising their dogs where they shouldn’t be, but it doesn’t rise to a catastrophic level for me.

On the eve of 2019, a few attempts at solo hikes were unsuccessful before I drove up the Sun Road and stopped at the Lincoln Lake trailhead, no one was there, so it was an easy choice.

I didn’t go far, just to the Snyder cutoff, but I was alone and it was entertaining. There were tracks of deer, a lion, snowshoe hares, a marten, a grouse and even some mice.

On the way back down, I saw a skiing snow man that two skiers had built. I never saw them, but the snowman was a pleasant surprise.

This past Sunday, I decided to return to the park and make another attempt at Apgar Lookout. Before I had seen elk on the way to the parking area and I knew moose sometimes inhabited the area.

This time I arrived early enough and there were no vehicles. Perfect!

On my way up to the trailhead, I saw a marker for the Old Flathead River Ranger Station Trail. I had forgotten about it, but I started down it.

A pair of coyotes had been on it recently, one sticking with the trail and the other weaving in and out of the newer growth that was born of the 2003 fires.

I didn’t encounter any signs that they had success hunting, such is the life of a predator. Eat or perish.

Later, the landscape opened and I was treated to a view of the Middle Fork where I had floated in early August with the U.S. Forest Service and Park personnel in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

As I stared down at the gorge, I heard wing beats and turned to see a bald eagle cruising above the water.

Soon after that, I saw the tracks of where two wolves had come off the ridge above me. They followed the path for a bit before heading toward the river. One wandered up to a small rock outcrop. The tracks indicated it stood there for a bit as it shifted back and forth.

I returned the way I entered, back to the warmth of my vehicle. It was a good outing. I never saw another person and I didn’t witness signs of anything untoward occurring.

Certainly, there are impacts to the Park because of the shutdown, but much of it depends on your perspective.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com