Iceberg Lake

Mile one, beware of bears. Yesterday there were three young grizzlies wandering the trail eating the first of the ripe huckleberries. Mile one passed for us, however, without a growl.

Kristy was our Naturalist Guide for this hike. 48 miles and an elevation gain of 1200 feet would bring us to the shore of Iceberg Lake. We began at 8:30 a.m. from the Swiftcurrent Lodge with 50 other eager hikers. Kristy yelled "Tally" the crowd hollered "Ho" and we were off. For the first mile or two, a meadowed wall hung to the right of us. The stumped remains of a fire in the 1930's dotted the hills. Further on we crunched through thickets of thimbleberries, Indian paint brush, bear grass and a variety of other flowers, but I have forgotten their names.

Half-way to the lake, we came to Ptarmigan Falls, from there another trail branched off the Ptarmigan Tunnel, a tunnel blasted through the rock to allow horses to cross the Continental Divide in the late 20's.

Ptarmigan is the name of a bird that can be seen at high elevations. It is snow white in Winter and speckled during the warmer months

The Continental Divide we learned is the division of the watershed. All water on our present side feeds the Hudson Bay and eventually the Atlantic, while water coursing down the other side feeds the Pacific. One river flowing from a mountain just North of us fed the Atlantic, Pacific & Gulf of Mexico and was named, rightfully so "The Triple Divide".

Finally, just before noon, we reached Iceberg Lake and it lived up to its name as well. Huge chunks of ice floated in a perfectly still aqua blue.

Passing it all again on the way down was just as dramatic (only being downhill was slightly faster). Three avalanche trails crossed our path as did two of the so often talked about grizzlies. But, not to my disappointment, they were too quick to be seen.

By the time we crossed our last turn back to the Lodge, we were both tired and eager to shed our dusty clothes. Another end to another perfect day.