Iceberg trail July 5, 2014

View at the top of the trail

Today we took a drive up to the Many Glacier area of Glacier, about a 40 minute drive north of the St. Mary area where we are staying. Our goal today was to hike the Iceberg Lake trail, probably the most beautiful trail we have ever hiked, and our prohibitive favorite. Unfortunately, because a bridge had washed out 2.6 miles in, that was as far as we could hike. 

Iceberg Lake trail

But that 2.6 miles in and the return were absolutely fantastic. The first 1/4 mile (at most) is steep, as the trail ascends to a ridge on which most of the walk is done. You come up that steep path to an open meadow that showcases the grandeur of the mountain peaks that surround you. From there, the path is mostly level, and is bounded by hillsides that are carpeted with wildflowers: red, orange and coral colored indian paintbrush, bluebells, yellow potentilla, daisies, white beargrass and countless other flowers. In some places, the flowers would appear in a group, a bank of red paintbrush, for example. In other places, it was a riot of colors all mixed together. Here, the mountains feel near to you--a part of you.

We stopped for a while at the trail terminus, the broken bridge at Ptarmigan Falls. Snow and water had ripped one side of the bridge off its footings, and the swiftly rushing water from the falls prevented sane people from wading across to the other side. While we ate our lunch there and

Bridge out  at trail's end

watched, 2 not-so-sane people did brave the treacherous water to get to the other side to complete the trail. A ranger had told us that the last part of the trail was snowbound, and that the lake was still completely iced over.

As we neared the end of our walk, I found myself walking more slowly, and taking more pictures. I became aware of the feeling that I really didn't want to leave this place. But on we went.

 

After this hike, we explored the Many Glacier Hotel and its amazing views. It sits on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, facing some

beautiful snow-capped peaks. We then drove down the road, pulled into a viewpoint area, and enjoyed a couple of beers as we took in the vista.

Back at our cabin, we had a glass of wine, then headed to the 2 Sisters restaurant for dinner. It's a great little restaurant with great pie (blackberry-peach a la mode!)