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Caption: HIDDEN LAKE a fishing adventure in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
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Caption: In late August 2015, Glacier National Park was burning.
A heavy cover of smoke obscured the views of the park's iconic peaks.
One lucky Sunday, we woke to find clear blue skies and a cool breeze at Logan Pass.
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Caption: Bluebird! (sort of)
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Caption: An auspicious visitor.
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Caption: FIRST THINGS FIRST I didn't even get to Glacier until
11 PM on Saturday night, and my friend Jake and I stayed up all night photographing the northern lights.
We planned to hike to Hidden Lake to stalk cutthroat on Sunday, but we had our priorities.
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Caption: "Thanks for the burrito dad. Oh, wait. You ate all the burritos and stuck me with the dirty dishes. Again." - Arty
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Caption: HIKING IN We headed south from the Logan Pass Visitors' Center to the overlook, then descended switchbacks to the lake. Total distance is about 3 miles.
Traffic was heavy until the overlook. People thinned out as we got closer to the lake.
Caption: KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED Wildlife is everywhere in Glacier. Some of it can kill you.
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Caption: From tiny amphibians and insects to ground squirrels and marmots . . .
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Caption: To larger mammals that probably won't hurt you . . .
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Caption: And still larger mammals that could eat you, but probably won't.
Caption: LEAVE THE BACON IN THE TRUCK. Don't forget your bear spray.
Make noise while you hike.
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Caption: HIDDEN LAKE I've had luck fishing the timberline along the southern shoreline in shaded areas and along steep drop-off shelves.
It can be hard to cast into the wind, or with trees behind you. The good ol' roll cast is your friend.
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Caption: Time to get after it.
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Caption: Second cast of the day, I hooked a giant cutt on a size eighteen Griffith's gnat.
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Caption: This tail will haunt me forever.
I cannot bear to tell you more.
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Caption: The lake's icy waters chilled my ego. Beer always helps, too.
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Caption: Round two. There were midges on the water and a few large mayflies.
I tied on a purple haze and another gnat.
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Caption: "There is a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot." - Steven Wright
Photo Credit: @JWFphotography
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Caption: @Backcountry #action
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Caption: #keepemwet
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Caption: Hidden Lake's sapphire waters, encircled by thousand-foot cliffs and glaciated peaks, dominated by the legendary Bear Hat, are well worth the five-hour drive from Bozeman.
Fishing is really just an excuse to spend time in such a sublime place.
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Caption: The hours pass lazily by the lake, and it's always hard to leave.
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Caption: BUT SOMEONE'S HAPPY TO SEE YOU Big thanks to: @JWFphotography (Jake Frank) for the photo of me fishing & additional video. Arty the Adventure Dog for doing dishes. Bitterroot & Blackfoot Brewing for slaking our thirst. @eddiebauer for bomber First Ascent gear that keeps me shady and cool. @Steller for lighting this fire. @tbyrnes @athenaphoto for inspiring conversation and silliness at the #stellerglacier meetup, and @brookewillson & @andyaustinphoto for making that happen. @Glaciernps & @Interior congrats on 99 yrs. of the NPS being awesome and caring for our wilderness treasures.
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Caption: Photos & Video by @elliottwoods
#treasurewilderness
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