02 03 Adventure with the RMKK People: An Impressive Cirque Around Avalanche Lake 04 05 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 32 33

An Impressive Cirque Around Avalanche Lake

Hiking to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park has become an annual event. The trail is at lower elevations on the west side of the Going to the Sun Road which means the snow melts sooner making it accessible much earlier than trails at higher elevations in the park.

When I read that Jenna Bush Hager had interviewed some kids at Avalanche Lake last week, I thought I’d take a look back at our past seven hikes to the lake.

A Spokane-based home for youths group, was visiting the park which coincided with NBC’s filming of “America the Beautiful: America’s National Parks“ series. Mrs. Hager, former president George Bush’s daughter, is a correspondent for the Today Show and took the opportunity to interview some of the group. From what I’ve read it seems the kids were pretty impressed with the cirque around Avalanche Lake.

You can watch the interview Friday morning on the Today Show. Now for the rest of my story.

2005 - Our first trip to Avalanche Lake - Kalispell was enjoying a warm and mild spring when we moved here from New Orleans. Eager to explore the Park, we hiked out to Avalanche Lake. It was my first experience in Glacier’s cedar forest and deer lingered around the trail for picture taking. My most vivid memory of that hike (besides the views), is that I couldn’t understand why the trail guide had described it as an easy/moderate hike, when I thought it difficult.

Avalanche Lake, May 2005. Not much snow but plenty of sunshine.

2006 - Avalanche Lake didn’t see us until August of that year. It was the same year that we had a “Miserable Day in Yellowstone”.

Avalanche Lake, August 2006. Dry and bare.

2007 - This was the year we came to appreciate why it is named Avalanche Lake. The breakup began in May and we were fortunate enough to capture an avalanche on video. Mallory was 10 at the time and observed that …it was a pretty scrawny avalanche… (from a distance it looked like a waterfall). David replied that it wouldn't seem so scrawny if she were underneath it. After looking at the pictures from that hike, I vowed to never stuff my hair up under a knitted cap again.

Avalanche Lake, May 2007

2008 - Back out to the Lake in May in hopes of hearing another avalanche. We didn’t, but blue skies and white snow made for a stunning landscape.

Avalanche Lake, May 2008. Eileen running on the snowy beach.

2009 - It was Mother’s Day. After having a free lunch of hot dogs and watching the impressive demonstrations at the Family Forestry Expo, we hiked out to Avalanche Lake. I think David captured some of the most extraordinary reflections in the lake that day.

Avalanche Lake, May 2009. Marlene on the beach.

2010 - We must have been itching for spring really bad because we jumped the gun and took the hike on April 23. The lake still had some surface ice. By this time, David, the girls and I were old pros at taking this hike.

Avalanche Lake, April 2010. David walks on the beach.

2011 - This year saw record snowfall making the hike in May to Avalanche a sloppy mess. Avalanche debris covered a good portion of the trail forcing hikers to find their way around uprooted trees. The lake level was up and the beach was covered in deep snow making maneuvering around the beach a bit difficult. I stepped through snow into water several times. It was a good time to hear avalanches however, as we heard their loud cracking noises as we sat on a log and ate our snacks.

Avalanche Lake, May 2011. Marlene walking to the lunch spot.

We've got some really cool pictures from this year's hike on Facebook. Click here to them.

Happy Trails,

Marlene

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