Root Glacier 8/15/2019

Ice field ahead, but ice is under the darker moraine at the left

After a hot buffet breakfast, we set out for the Root Glacier. In fact, the glacier is directly in front of

the hotel, but it is covered in several feet of rocks and gravel. To see the glacier ice field, we took a 5.4 mile rt walk. We took the bear spray that the lodge staff recommended, and loaned to us. A few spots were slippery downhill gravel, but for the most part, it was an easy walk. Unfortunately, today there are still low clouds in the area.

Along the way, we saw fields of what I late learned were dryas, or mountain avens. At this time of year, the flowers that resembled 8 petaled daisies have morphed into feather-like plumes,

and the plumes shine in the light. So beautiful. Companion to the avens, and all along the path, are fireweed, which start out with pink/purple flowers. When the flowers fade, the plant becomes covered with spiral feathery plumes that re the seeds that will disperse in the wind. Magic!
About half way along the trail, we came upon a large pile of bear scat, red from the berries they eat. I guess the bear spray was a good idea...

Another cool feature we noted was a glacial erratic--a giant boulder--just at the edge of the trail. It had obviously rolled there when it was softer, and picked up thousands of smaller rocks on its way. Those small rocks were embedded in the boulder. Very cool.

Every so often, we would pause on the trail to listen to the quiet. We could hear the glacier creaking and cracking as it melted! As we neared the ice field, the air got noticeably colder. Lovely walk!

After another stellar lunch, we decided to take a trail that took us up where the houses of the mine administrators had been. Typically, the workers lived on the lower road in town, and admin lived on the upper road, called Silk Stocking Row.

We are just blown away by the sheer size and scope of this Wrangell St. Elias Natonal Park. At 13.2 million acres, it is the same size as Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, and the country of Swizeralnd combined. 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the US are here. It is a truly amazing place.  Photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rE2K93vTtA5zBosk8