Iceberg Lake Hike

Yesterday morning (July 3) we got up early and departed on an all day hike to Iceberg Lake. The hike was with a ranger and left at 8:30am. The hike took 8 hours, we didn't get back until 4:30. It was an interesting group to go with because there was people from all around the world. There was people from Australia, China, South Africa and Finland! So we got to talk to people from all over. 

The hike was 10 miles long! We are all sooooooo tiered and soar! But it was a beautiful hike. The range who lead our group was named Ranger Rick. He has a reputation for bear sightings. The past couple years when he hikes this trail, that is when they have to close the trail for bear activity. He also hold the record for seeing the most bears at once in one place, 17 bears. He could see them all from the one spot he stood in the valley. But sadly this time we didn't see any bear at all. Thought we did see some cool black bear claw marks on the trees. They were huge.

One lonely Mountin Goat.

The Mule Deer.

Check out these Icebergs!

What we did see however was 2 female Mule deer and one lonely mountain goat. The hike was 5 miles there and 5 miles back. There was a half way stop at a beautiful water fall, that we got to take a break at. The water there is so cold, we had to walk through so many streams along the way, they said that they took a thermometer down to the lake this time last year and the water was only 36 degrees F. I would believe it because when we got down to the lake half of it was still frozen over. There were also some really cool icebergs in the water, so that is where it gets it's name. 

These are Glacier Flowers.

There were tones of pretty wildflowers. 

This is a field where a bear had dug around for flowers.

The hike was really amazing and beautiful. By the time we got to the lake we had walked over an entire valley and crossed about 2 mountains. Oh and about the last quarter mile we had to walk across snow! The hike was amazing and well with it, but now we have to deal with the pain of walking 10 miles. God's creation is so amazing and we got to experience it at a whole 'nother level!

The water flows right under the ice.

So you see the big snow streaks on the mountain wall, that is right over the lake. So we hiked all that way, well we kinda took the long way by going around the valley, but it was the only way. Yah it looks really long right. That is only half way! 

By the end of the hike, the 4 of use together drank this many water bottles! 

It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it in the end. :)