“The Mountains Are Calling”

• Egidio Leitao

Lens-Artists Challenge #283:
Illustrate a Favorite Quote or Poem

— This week, Ann-Christine poses a fascinating challenge. She asks us “to illustrate a favourite quote or poem.” The key is to give viewers an actual ”feel” of the poem or quote through the photo(s) one chooses. For this post, I chose three quotes by John Muir, the famous Scottish environmentalist known as “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks” in the United States. He and his family emigrated to the USA when he was only ten.

The Highline Trail at Glacier NP

Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home;
that wildness is a necessity.
John Muir

The Garden Wall is one of the most popular trails in Glacier NP. The trailhead is conveniently located near Logan Pass, a very busy point in the park. The first time we experienced the thrills of this trail was during our first visit to the park in 2009. We could not fully explore the trail, but we did hike the first section you see in the photo above.

Although the trail is safe, you constantly see that road way down there on the left-hand side of the top photo. That is the Going-to-the-Sun road, some 100 ft (30 m) down. If you are the only person on the trail and no one is coming back, the trail is perfectly safe. Of course, the trail width varies from 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m). That width is a little uncomfortable when you have to pass someone else. You can only hold on to the green cable you see along the wall, but there are no guardrails.

The Highline trail at Glacier NP

Going to the mountains is going home.
John Muir

It is a good (and safe) idea to stop fully and appreciate the scenery from time to time, as you can see in the photo above. When we hiked this trail in 2014, it was late July. The trail had just opened for hikers. In fact, in a few sections we crossed, there were still workers cleaning up the accumulated snow. In the last photo below, you can see the cut in the rock where the trail is. Again, you see the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the lower right corner.

The Highline Trail at Glacier NP

Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
John Muir

The mountains are calling, and I must go. (John Muir)

I hope you enjoyed last week’s challenge. I certainly had fun looking at everyone’s dramatic photos. Thanks to Patti for leading the challenge (Dramatic). Join us next week when Sofia will introduce a new challenge. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post, and make sure you use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post. We look forward to your joining our challenges. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

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45 thoughts on ““The Mountains Are Calling””

  1. Great quotes, STUNNING photos. Glacier NP is on my ‘near-term’ bucket list. Your last quote, The Mountains Are Calling, hangs in our living room.

  3. You chose one of my favorite authors along with one of my favorite places for your response this week Egidio, so big thanks for that! We’ve explored the park from end to end with our very good friends from Kiawah who summer in Montana. Some incredible experiences there, especially on the GTTS Road. The park is a magical place one could visit a hundred times without repeating a thing! Superb response, I loved it.

  4. Memories. My family drove from the flatlands of northwest Minnesota to Glacier the first time when I was about 10. A straight shot on Hwy. 2 across North Dakota. First time I saw a mountain. I remember the awe as the outline of the peaks grew closer and closer as we drove. Going to the Sun Road scared the &#%( out of me. I love mountains but they still make me nervous. Memories.

  5. Beautiful, beautiful photos, Egídio. As soon as I saw your title I knew where you were going, everyone in Scotland knows that one, even me. (Just a small note, John Muir was from Dunbar, near Edinburgh…) But, it’s the love of the great outdoors and yes, they do call us all the time. What an amazing post!

  7. I love these majestic clicks, and John Muir’s quotes are so apt!
    I love this narrow passage of the Highline Trail at Glacier NP—scary too!
    Thank you for the description; I felt like I was there with you.

  10. I love those quotes – and what you have done with them. Stunning photography and yes – to wash your spirit clean, mother Nature is the solution. Your post did a fantastic job too – as I will never see any of those majestic sights myself.

  11. I love that you brought Muir to your photos. I can feel the “wilderness is a necessity” in the photos, and in my life. There is something that changes us when we enter nature. We haven’t been to Glacier yet. I am always amazed they can till be getting rid of snow in July up there. A different life entirely. Stunning scenery from your lens.

  17. Philo, with English being my second language, I’m happy to hear my description of the trail made you feel like you were there. Thank you for your comments.

  21. Wilderness and wildness — I loved that he used the latter in that quote. Both have such an impact in our lives. Thank you very much to write back with your comments, Donna. I’m glad you liked the photos and post.

  23. I love John Muir…with his words blending so well with your magnificent photography.

  24. Even though I was far away, your descriptions brought the trail to life.
    Your command of the English language is truly remarkable, and I am truly appreciative of your thoughtful response to my remarks.
    Making friends from all over the world is an incredible experience. I am grateful that you showed me the splendour of the path.
    Like you, I have trouble finding the right words at times because English is not my first language. You have an impeccable rhythm.
    Thank you, Egídio Leitão

  30. Got to climb a mountain at least once or twice in our lifetime. John Muir is right. It’s cleansing and a humbling experience. Such grandeur, Egidio.

  37. Great choices for the challenge, Egidio. Muir is one of my favorite naturalists. I liked the last image, nicely shown in black and white. We’ve been to Glacier, years ago. Always loved the name of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. So appropriate.

  40. Isadora, I was nervous at first and didn’t like when I had to maneuver around other people. Luckily, it didn’t happen but once or twice. Thanks for the comment.

  43. Your photos are breathtaking, literally for me…I’m afraid of heights and I held my breath as I scrolled through your post. I love how majestic the mountains look. I tip my hat to you and yours for taking the adventures you shared here! 👏🏻🥰

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