CDT Day 149: Into Glacier NP to Morningstar Lake

Daily Miles: 21.8, Total Miles: 2,649.1

I walked out of the village at first light on a dirt road and trail that crossed a two-mile section of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, then straight into Glacier National Park.

A 2,600 ft up and down combined with seven miles got me to the Two Medicine Ranger Station.

I paid for and picked up my permit without too much trouble – lots of smoke, a fire to watch out for near Many Glacier and a few misbehaving bears.

I had lunch at the Two Medicine CG, then started another 2,600 ft climb to Pitamakin Pass. Despite the smoke, nice views of Oldman Lake on the south side and Pitamakin Lake to the north.

The trail dropped steeply to Pitamakin Lake and then I continued down to Morningstar Lake. This backcountry campground was small and I got the last site.

I enjoyed visiting with my fellow campers at the food prep/eating area. We also met by the lake and watched a group of mountain goats on a nearby cliff, a group of bighorns on a grassy slope and a lone beaver busy in the lake.