On Monday, July 3, 2017, we took a drive from Revelstoke over to Glacier National Park to do some hiking. We had stopped at the Glacier National Park Visitor Center last week and picked up trail maps and suggestions from the Park Rangers. We planned to complete two hikes, both of which were accessible from the Illecillewaet (pronounced illy-silly-watt) parking area. Since we were visiting Glacier National Park, we wanted to get up close (or as close as we could get) to a glacier!
As we start out, Kathy found an interesting rock she wanted to add to her collection. Unfortunately, as this was a national park, she could only take a photo!
Our first hike was on the Great Glacier Trail. In the 1880s, what is known today as the Illecillewaet Glacier was called the Great Glacier. The Great Glacier Trail follows Asulkan Brook. We can just barely see the mountain peeks off in the distance.
The dense forest soon gives way to a more open valley covered with large rock falls. We get our first look at Mount Sir Donald. The mountain was originally named Syndicate Peak in honor of the group who arranged the finances for the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, but was later renamed after Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, head of the syndicate.
Kathy takes a break on the trail and Mount McDonald looms up behind her.
Just above the rock ledge lies the Illecillewaet Glacier. The outflow of the glacier forms the headwaters of the Illecillewaet River. Here we can see the river tumbling down the side of the mountain in a huge braided waterfall.
Our camera just cannot do justice to the Asulkan Valley. In 1905 the cartographer and explorer Arthur O. Wheeler wrote on the Asulkan Valley: "A gem of mountain scenery. The valley feels enchanted. There is magic in the atmosphere." Glacier views, mountain views, waterfalls, green forests and avalanche slopes characterize the Asulkan Valley. The name "Asulkan" means "wild goat" and was first used by the climber William Spotswood Green, who in 1888 climbed in the area, while he sighted a number of wild goats in the valley. Unfortunately, we did not see any goats. (However, if I were a goat, I would definitely want to live here!)
After a snowy winter, the Selkirk Mountains still wear their crown of white in early July. (Just ignore the hat that tried to photo bomb this shot!)
As we gazed up at Mount Sir Donald, we could see the Vaux Glacier nestled between the two peaks. We learned that the Vaux Glacier was named after a family from Philadelphia! The Vaux family were well-off Quakers from Pennsylvania. The family first visited Glacier House and Illecillewaet Glacier in 1887. On a subsequent trip, they noticed a visible retreat of the glacier's terminus. The Vaux children, William, George, Jr., and Mary were amateur photographers and began a study of the glacier using pictures taken from fixed points. William and George, Jr. presented their findings to the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. Their study and methods were considered a "breakthrough" in the new field of glaciology. Mary Vaux would continue to visit the area every summer until her death in 1940.
The trail ends on a large slab of rusty rock that once held a portion of the Illecillewait Glacier. From our lunch spot, we have an amazing view down the valley.
Here is a closer look at the Vaux Glacier. This glacier has receded almost two kilometers since the first photographs taken by the Vaux family.
On our way back down the trail, Kathy takes a moment to cool off with some icy glacier melt water.
The hot July sun was quickly melting the snow causing the creek to rise. We had to stop and admire the milky blue boiling water.
It didn't take long to return to the trailhead. However, there was no rest for the weary. We still had one more hike to complete we before we left the park. Stay tuned.
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