I am entering this trip a few days late. It took me that long to get over it. With most of the flowers since gone, it was a very long hike through a lackluster forest. There was a falls, nothing spectacular.
When I did reach the much talked about meadows where the trail wonders so it does not end at any particular point, I kept going looking for those damn flowers someone posted previously of beautiful avalance lilies. Well, they are gone, my own fault for doing the hike 2 weeks two late.
Since the meadow never seemed to end and go over one small peak to another, I ended up hiking 9 miles roundtrip on a 6 mile roundtrip hike. I did find a rock w/a carved out area that fit my butt, so I was happy to lay there, drink water and eat chocolate rice cakes.
Did I mention I took off my Nike dri-fit shorts and wick underwear? It took only 5 min. or so to dry out much to the dismay of approaching hikers, one older man, one younger guy. My wick shirt was way long enough to cover me, just above my knees, but they seemed to avoid me and walk out (off bounds) into the field.
My husband continued to ANOTHER peak. This one seemed to be a good view point from the pics he took of a meadow below and jagged brown outcroppings in front of him. He surprised a deer or the deer surprised him.
We did see the usual suspects, marmots sunning themselves. We did spot a huge elk w/a huge rack on the opposite mountain side grazing.
I felt bad for other hikers passing us on our way down, maybe thinking flowers were still there and one poor woman had this nice big camera.
Oh, how quickly I forget, the mosquitos! Bring deet and make sure you don't run out.
P.S. - To the hiker who questioned dogs on the trail, dogs are not permitted in National Park Buildings or on the trails, but that doesn't mean people don't do it. I think the rule was insituted because of careless hikers w/dogs that let them run down wild animals so basically, they ruined it for everyone else w/well behaved dogs. Also, the dog you saw could have been a service dog and they are allowed most places.