8am, Friday hike, gorgeous weather conditions and the day before Sunrise Road opens. Despite the early start, trail quite busy including many climbing groups. Climber/hiker parking lot full by 8am. In the early part of the trail, there was tree cutting/maintenance happening with crew temporarily holding back hikers for safety during limb cutting. Some wore WTA helmets. Thank you, WTA, for this work!
Alpine views are stunning. As are the eyepopping views of wildflowers, butterflies, frogs and waterfalls. Side trail to Emmons Moraine trail is worth the detour, adds only ~1 mile to the trip to Glacier Basin camp, absorbing view of the moraine lake & valley and the only view of the terminus of Emmons Glacier on this trail. Plus the fun of walking the log bridge over the rushing waters of the Inter Fork.
Back on the Glacier Basin trail, the route is forested interspersed with open areas hosting wildflowers & butterflies, as well as occasional wide open views toward Goat Island Mountain (south) and Mount Ruth (west) with Liberty Cap and more behind. The last half-mile to Glacier Basin camp might feel like work (now you’re more than a mile above sea level) but rewarded with arrival at a broad mountain meadow. Today filled with glacier lilies, marsh marigolds and unimpeded views of St Elmo Pass with climbing groups laboring their way to base camps above Mt Ruth. [More pictures included in linked photo album]
Flush toilets at White River trailhead were clean & stocked. Backcountry toilet at Glacier Basin camp was … well, it’s a backcountry toilet.
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