Every year the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) working in conjunction with The Glacier Institute organizes a major excursion to Glacier National Park in Montana.
The tone of the excursion was set pretty early. After our welcome dinner, the manager of the Glacier Institute's Field Camp took us on a short hike around the camp. Not ten minutes into the hike, we happen upon a young Black bear.
We were walking in tall grass between the Flathead river and a road; we had just stopped to see if there were any coyotes among the horses in an opposite field, when a large four legged animal jumped up and ran through the grass, not 20 feet from us.
It wasn't until the animal stopped running, and stood on its hind legs that it became obvious (to those bear neophytes in the group, myself included) the large animal was a Black Bear. The bear stared at us for a little bit, before running off (encouraged by the noise the guide was making).
Not five hours into our trip and we had our first large animal sighting. The encounter changed the group somewhat. It is something to be told to be "bear aware." It is quite something else to actually have an encounter. The later guarantees you will take any bear tips very seriously.
The next day, we headed out early, for our "real" introduction to the park at Logan Pass.
Logan Pass sits on the Continental Divide and is the stopping point for most visitors traversing the park by car.
Two trails originate from this Pass, the southbound Hidden Lake trail and the northbound Highline trail. We started the day by heading south to see the Hidden Lake. 
Hidden Lake
Almost immediately we were beset by wildlife: Goats grazing, Long Horned Sheep relaxing, and Pika foraging. 
Wild Goat "admiring" the trail's flowers
On the Highline trail, in contrast, there were fewer animals to be seen; however a chance sighting of a Golden Eagle (and the view) made the trek immanently worth while.
Golden Eagle
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| The view from the Highline Trail |
I had signed onto this trip to just see Glacier National Park and maybe some wildlife. In the first two days this trip exceeded all of my expectations.