Many Glacier and Iceberg Lake
4 / 10
On our fourth day in Glacier, we arrived at Many Glacier bright and early at 6 a.m., and the parking lot was already full. With the Swiftcurrent trailhead shut down due to construction, parking was more limited and we had to hike in from a little farther out. We managed to squeeze into the last parking spot.
Many Glacier Views
1 / 30
Our first stop was Fishercap Lake, known as one of the best places in the park to see moose. We got there around 7 a.m., full of hope, but the only large mammal we saw was a deer on the far side of the lake. No moose today. We hung out for a while, walking the shoreline, chatting with other hopeful wildlife watchers, and soaking in the peaceful morning light. The mountain reflections on the water were beautiful, and a mother duck floated by with a whole train of ducklings behind her.
From there, we started the hike to Iceberg Lake. From its official trailhead near Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, its 4.8 miles each way, with about 1,450 feet of elevation gain. The trail climbs gradually at first through shaded forest, then opens up into a spectacular high-alpine landscape. At one point, the path is carved right into the mountainside, with sweeping views down into the valley on one side and towering peaks rising up on the other.
The wildflowers were out in full force with purple asters, yellow arnica, and bear grass lighting up the meadows like a kaleidoscope. I kept scanning the cliffs above for mountain goats but came up empty. I took a few pics of white dots from the cliffs high above, hoping it might be one taking a break, but after zooming into the pic on the camera, it was stumps and rocks instead. What we did spot, though, was a grizzly bear with two cubs far below in the valley. They were a safe distance away, moving slowly through the brush, but it was still one of those awesome Glacier moments.
As we walked one of those exposed sections, with a few trees clinging to the rocky slope, a flash of bright blue caught Danny's eye. He pointed it out, and I realized it was the beautiful lazuli bunting! I’d been hoping to see one, and that electric blue color absolutely popped against the rugged terrain.
When we arrived at the lake, we soaked in the views over lunch. Iceberg Lake sits at the base of towering walls of rock, with patches of snow and ice still clinging to the cliffs. The lake has that signature glacial turquoise, with actual icebergs floating along the far side. As we ate, we heard what sounded like a gunshot as a piece of melting ice broke off and caused a small rock side across the lake.
This was a hike that hits all the marks with scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, and a beautiful destination. Once we made it back to the car, we headed back towards St Mary's, but stopped first at a nearby cabin to meet my parents! They had flown into Spokane and arrived in Glacier to join us for the next part of the adventure.
From there, we started the hike to Iceberg Lake. From its official trailhead near Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, its 4.8 miles each way, with about 1,450 feet of elevation gain. The trail climbs gradually at first through shaded forest, then opens up into a spectacular high-alpine landscape. At one point, the path is carved right into the mountainside, with sweeping views down into the valley on one side and towering peaks rising up on the other.
The wildflowers were out in full force with purple asters, yellow arnica, and bear grass lighting up the meadows like a kaleidoscope. I kept scanning the cliffs above for mountain goats but came up empty. I took a few pics of white dots from the cliffs high above, hoping it might be one taking a break, but after zooming into the pic on the camera, it was stumps and rocks instead. What we did spot, though, was a grizzly bear with two cubs far below in the valley. They were a safe distance away, moving slowly through the brush, but it was still one of those awesome Glacier moments.
As we walked one of those exposed sections, with a few trees clinging to the rocky slope, a flash of bright blue caught Danny's eye. He pointed it out, and I realized it was the beautiful lazuli bunting! I’d been hoping to see one, and that electric blue color absolutely popped against the rugged terrain.
When we arrived at the lake, we soaked in the views over lunch. Iceberg Lake sits at the base of towering walls of rock, with patches of snow and ice still clinging to the cliffs. The lake has that signature glacial turquoise, with actual icebergs floating along the far side. As we ate, we heard what sounded like a gunshot as a piece of melting ice broke off and caused a small rock side across the lake.
This was a hike that hits all the marks with scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, and a beautiful destination. Once we made it back to the car, we headed back towards St Mary's, but stopped first at a nearby cabin to meet my parents! They had flown into Spokane and arrived in Glacier to join us for the next part of the adventure.