Trail of the Cedars Avalanche Lake - 8/14/10

8/14/2010

While in Glacier National Park, Joe and I hiked the Trail of the Cedars. I guess this is a cedar tree. I know it is a big and knotty tree at least.

The path is nice and paved,

at least until you get to the Avalanche Gorge.

Ice -age glacier melt-water carved the gorge, according to the sign. The water is so blue.

After you go beyond the gorge, the path becomes unpaved. and uneven. We saw some people walking up the path wearing fancy sandals, they wisely turning back at this point. From the beginning of the trail to the gorge, we had gone about 3/4 of a mile. 

The trail is very thick with trees,with very little light getting through, so the ground is covered in dense moss, except for the path.

The gorge widens as we make the steady climb up.

A continuous gradual climb for two miles to the lake

Some color on the way

This is interesting!

A trees had grown a long time around this boulder.

But finally came to it's demise.

I am so glad there are lots of people on the trail, because even though it is quite peacful and beautiful deep in the woods, it is also creepy. You know, Lion, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! I guess there are just bears in this area.

Most people kept passing us by.

On one of our many breaks, we see a deer walking by as if we were not even there.

This was a huge tree in it's time.Would hate to be on the trail, when it decided to fall.

After 2 long miles and a trillion breaks, we arrive at Avalanche Lake. What a beautiful sight.

We don't stop at the beach where most people stop. No Joe had to walk through a very thick brush, that was taking over the trail to see where it went.

To ease my mind,and let Joe go ahead to brave the path, I stopped for a close up.

We come out to half way around the lake. We sat on a log and pulled out our sack lunch.

Beautiful reflection.

Reflection of the snow and stream lined mountains.

Looking back to the beach,where most people stopped their hike. Also nice reflection of the boulder.

The water is so clear, you can see the tree lined bottom of the lake.

We headed back after our lunch.

You know you've been hanging out in the woods too long when you can say you've seen two deer taking a dump with in months.

Going down was as hard as going up, but this time it was my knees, not my lungs.

Back to the gorge, 3/4 mile to go.

A mushroom by the stream.

Carved hole in the bedrock of the stream.

A couple of people were playing instruments and singing by the stream. Sounded like American Indian music.

The beautiful blue again.

I see a face profile in the rock.

A wood boardwalk; signals the trail's end along the wet forest bottom floor.

If you want to do the trail again, just go that away a bit and start the 5 mile round trip hike.