Day 4: July5, 2012 by Geoff

Today started out as a transitional day from Waterton Park, Canada, back to Glacier NP. But it turned out to be so much better. We decided to get a campsite at Many Glacier campground just north of St. Mary, but in the heart of the mountains. We were thinking of staying somewhere else for another night, but after arriving and picking out an awesome site, we decided to stay for three. We're along the shores of a river and surrounded by mountains. The views are amazing! 

Our campsite

Today it was Iceberg Lake. It was a 5 mile hike  (each way) from our campground, gaining 1200 feet to a lake at the base of a head wall (at 6000 feet). As we climbed up out of the valley and up to close to the treeline, the views got better and better. And since we're still early in the season, the lake was actually still frozen over! So we didn't get to see the pretty blue lake and icebergs, but it was still pretty cool. Also, the last 1/2 mile up to the lake was snow covered, so that was a fun experience too. Besides the spectacular views, the wildflowers are blooming, making for very pretty alpine meadows. 

Luckily for us, Beargrass, a member of the Lilly family, is in bloom this year

The lake is still another mile away!

A bull moose we saw on the way to Iceberg Lake

 Oh-how could I forget to mention the grizzly bear we saw on the way to the campground! It was up on a hill above the road eating a carcass. And close enough that you didn't need binoculars (actually, it was about 150 feet away!) And since we're talking about wildlife, we also saw a big bull moose on the valley floor, while on our hike.  It was pretty far away, but still able to see it. 

Since today was so nice, we were finally able to make a fire - and roast hot dogs (great after a long hike) and marshmallows. We had pasta salad with the hot dogs too. And while I was making the pasta, Jenn spotted another grizzly on the opposite side of the river from our campsite. By the time I went to see it, it was gone, but that's pretty close company. Now we're just sitting and enjoying the fire before we head to bed. 


Editor's note: The final 1 mile up to Iceberg  Lake was snow covered, not 1/2 mile.