After we got back from the Two Medicine area, we decided to do the hike to Virginia Falls. It is just an easy 3 mile trek round trip, without too much elevation gain (280' of gain, according to our trusty hiking guide). Because we started late in the day, we didn't have trouble getting a parking spot for this hike, though normally this is one of the most popular hikes. It is right off of the Going-to-the-Sun Highway, a few miles west of Saint Mary's. Plus, you get to see St Mary's Falls on your way to Virginia Falls. There is a bridge over the river just below St Mary's Falls, lots of people stop to rest here, admiring the view.
Along the trail, you get some nice views of the nearby mountains. Because it was late afternoon, the mountains east of us were nicely lit up: Little Chief Mountain (9541'), and Mahtotopah(8881'). To the west are Dusty Star Mountain (8064') and Citadel Mountain (9030'). Going-to-the-Sun Mountain is across the valley from the trail.
Soon the trail takes you alongside Virginia Creek, which spills down from the mountains to St Mary's Lake. There are numerous points here where you can venture close to the creek to watch the cascades. People enjoy stopping here for a rest spot - you can see some feet of relaxing hikers in the upper corner of my Virginia Creek cascades picture. Clambering over the rocks, we saw some fossilized sand ripples. I've never quite understood how something as transistory as a sand ripple or a footprint can survive long enough to be fossilized, but obviously it happens.
Virginia Falls is quite nice. The trail ends at the base of the falls. There is some spray kicked up by all the falling water. We didn't stay too long, because the sky was threatening - and on our way back, it started to rain. About the last mile back to the car was in a rain storm. This was the only time we got rained on during our vacation, so we had pretty good weather indeed!
Click on any thumbnail to open photo in new window. My favorite photos have blue frames.
