I Took The Path Less Traveled By: Mt. Merritt Glacier National Park July 17-19, 2018

So this is a hike we had been planning for a while. Our group on this hike was the same as had done Mt. Stimson the year before. So out of the Six 10,000 ft. summits of Glacier National Park this was my 3rd. Three to go: Kintla, Jackson and Siyeh. One thing we've noticed about these peaks so far is that they aren't easy ones. The approach to Merritt was a long 23-24 km hike from the Chief Mountain border crossing, that was the 17th. It was a beautiful day just very hot. We made good time and settled in at Mokowanis Lake campground that evening. The 18th we got up early and started our ascent. We started with some bushing and then had scree slopes then had some scrambling to a ridge and then a scramble up the ridge to the top. Our group got separated for a bit and I was in the group that had to backtrack below a snow pack near the top. We eventually summitted and enjoyed the amazing views. J. Gordon Edward claims this is the best view in the Park and I must agree with him. You have amazing views of all 6 of the 10,000 ft. mountains and you have some amazing views of a whole bunch of glaciers and lakes all around. Our summit time was amazing, little to no wind and not too cold. We stayed for a while and then descended basically the way we came except for a little change down a drainage basin near the end. We slept good that night and then got up the next morning and hiked our big long day out. The stop at Wieners of Waterton to eat that night was much needed.

On our way with our goal in sight! Mt. Merritt in the middle

Another shot of Mt. Merritt on day one

Crossing the suspension bridge

Cosley Lake with Mt. Cleveland on right

Our first view of where we would be climbing up the next day. We climbed just below the shadow on the right and traversed over to the saddle in the middle