The first day of Fall turned out to be perfect for this hike.
The on and off (mostly on) low cloud layer kept temperatures cool along the Glacier Basin Trail. The trail rises slowly from the White River campground up to the Glacier Basin campsite. The fall colors are beginning to peak in the area around the campsite.
The climb up from Glacier Basin to 2nd Burroughs is strenuous.... about 2,000 vertical feet in about 2 miles... lots of switchbacks. At around 6,700', the hike entered the cloud bank and the temperature dropped noticeably. Could even feel small ice pellets at times. Visibility remained at, or near, zero from this point until about 1/4 mile past 1st Burroughs... fogged in, temps near freezing and some icy drizzle.
About halfway between 1st Burroughs and Glacier Overlook, the trail dropped below the clouds. The light drizzle continued, but at least it wasn't icy anymore.
The rest of the trail back down to the White River campground was uneventful, just a very steep downhill. The recent rains have all the little creeks and streams flowing in this area.
All in, it came to 11.6 miles with just under 4,300' of total elevation.

Comments