Monster hike to Sperry Glacier

I got up this morning with a very ambitious plan, to hike to Sperry Glacier, a distance of over 20 miles, with a vertical climb of 5,600 feet. I wish I had my hiking boots and poles but alas, I am limited to the running shoes on hand.

I was feeling strong and sure footed and passed horses and hikers all morning on the way up. Most people do this hike as a two day affair with an overnight stay at Sperry Lodge but I didn't have the time, money or inclination for such luxury so I hoofed it on up post haste.

 The path to the top wasn't obvious from the bottom but I just kept on climbing and waited for the way to be revealed.

 The higher I got the more beautiful the scenery.

 The scenery was just stunning and invited a long visit at some spots but the sun kept moving and so did I.

 Suddenly the way past the last big obstacle became surprisingly clear. There was a channel with stairs that had been painstakingly blasted through the solid rock giving access to a truly magnificent and awe inspiring spectacle.

 At the top I was informed that the actual glacier was 3 or 4 ridges over and to just keep scrambling across the snow banks and over the rocky ridges to the actual glacier but to not attempt to cross the glacier under any circumstances. I'm grateful for the guidance because I would have thought I had arrived when I got to the big fields of snow. The true glacier was even more impressive with it's cravasses and ridges and ripples and blue-gray ice.

 The glacier was melting and feeding these small lakes before tumbling over the edge to fall as four towering waterfalls to feed avalanche lake and creek far below.

 Just WOW!

 The return trip was beautiful but difficult without boots and poles but every bit worth the effort and the pain.

 The trail that was invisible from below was quite apparent from below.

 I stopped at Sperry Lodge on the way down to refill my four water bottles and none too soon. I didn't think to bring money on a hike or I could have enjoyed fresh baked pie hot from the oven.

 I picked fresh Huckleberries on the way down. It wasn't pie but it would have to do. I thought about the bears that also enjoy these treats and my lack of bear spray and I kept a close watch on the way down through the dense forest.

 I got down in plenty of time to enjoy a picnic and rest by the lake and later was treated to this lovely sunset as an appropriate reward for a days job well done. I'm a lucky man.