Ptarmigan Lake and Valley

Today is a double delight, with an easy hike to Iceberg already behind me before noon I head up a bit further to Ptarmigan Lake and switchback my way up the steep cirque to the tunnel that has been blasted in the wall of the mountain. This is a view of Ptarmigan Lake and back down into the valley I just walked up.

Elephant Head

Have you ever seen the flower called elephant head? Very cool.

Iceberg Lake Totem

Tip your head sideways and check out the totem!

Glacier lilies near Iceberg Lake

The mist hanging around the bowl, or cirque that holds Iceberg Lake makes for an interesting atmosphere this morning. These areas with very recent snow melt are mosquito haven.... who worries about the bears??? get out the bug juice! I could only handle a quick sketch before the buggers blew my zen like concentration and I had to move on. So much for tolerance!

Morning moving up the Ptarmigan Valley

I'm anxious to get hiking after the 2 hour drive (with photo stops.... Pat will appreciate this) ...so I get parked and head up the hill behind Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge. This is the "everyday" person's hub at Many Glacier.... versus the Many Glacier Lodge which is a bit too rich for the likes of me! This area is prime grizzly habitat and these particular trails to Ptarmigan Falls, lake and tunnel and to Iceberg Lake are often closed to protect both the bears and the people. But they're open today, so off I go.

Bighorn sheep posing on Logan Pass.

Here I am on the top of the continental divide at Logan Pass, on my way to the Many Glacier area of the park. This band of boys (bighorn sheep) has been hanging around the pass lately and cooperated for an early morning photo shoot.... how nice of them.

Cow Parsnip fields forever

This may be it for awhile.... I only have one week left, can't believe it. Finishing up the alphabet and getting over to the Many Glacier area are my goals. sys