Olympic National Park , Washington .
Our hike the next day provided sweeping views of mountain lakes , waterfalls , forests and rock formations . We reached our car far too soon but found our way to a brewery for a well-deserved pizza and beer .
That night , we camped in the backyard of our friend ’ s family , and we couldn ’ t help but feel a sense of unease as we fell asleep to the sounds of a suburban neighborhood . We were ready to escape back into the wild . That is one remarkable thing about spending time in nature — you recognize the noise pollution and constant stimulation of modern life .
Olympic National Park , Washington . than the climb up due to a technique called glissading . Glissading is the act of descending by sitting and sliding down the mountain , using an ice axe to control your speed . It is like going down a never-ending slide . I am most certain you could hear our laughs from Mount Rainier nearly 50 miles away — we felt like kids on nature ’ s playground .
We drove away from the mountain feeling thankful for the climb and determined to summit at a future date . Back in Portland , we said our goodbyes as nostalgia for our time together was already setting in .
We spent the day driving up to Port Angeles , WA , where we met up with our close friend and his girlfriend . They had heard of a backpacking route in Olympic National Park and wanted to check it out with us , so we set off with the familiar anthem of birdsong in the background . As we trekked , we took notice of the grandeur of the trees surrounding us . Their trunks were wide , and the tops reached so high it seemed they would touch the clouds . We did not think it could get better , but then we reached our secluded campsite called Bruce ’ s Roost . It was one of the most stunning sites Eric and I had ever stayed at . We had a 360-degree view of striking mountains , leaving us in awe once again .
Montana
Our next escape was Glacier National Park , Montana . After stopping in Coeur d ’ Alene , ID , for an evening , we arrived at the famed park . Known for its glaciers , meadows , lakes and trails , Glacier ignited a hunger for exploration unlike any other stop on our journey . It immediately felt like a sort of paradise with its vast array of possibilities .
Our first full day in Glacier began before sunrise with a drive on the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road . The road winds its way through the park and beholds vistas unlike any other . We arrived at the trailhead for the Highline Trail and were one of the first to begin the hike . This hike is one of the more popular ones in the park and for good reason ; it seems as if you get a taste of every bit of the park in one hike . At every turn , Eric and I shared in our disbelief at what lay before our eyes .
At one point , a spur trail juts off the main path taking thrill-seekers up a precarious route leading to a view of Grinnell Glacier . Unsurprisingly , Eric and I immediately set forth to experience the view for ourselves . As we clambered up the rocky terrain , the trail narrowed and the grade of the dropoff to the right of the trail only increased . My heart began to beat faster as I forced myself to go on . This continued until my fear of heights overtook my determination and I chose to stop .
Big Sky , Montana .
Olympic National Park , Washington .
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