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Many Glacier - September 25 & 26, 1999
Hike to Cracker Lake

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Thanks to Steve and Astrid of Missoula, Montana for the following photos.
 

What a difference a day makes!
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Two shots from the Cracker Lake Trail, taken less than 24 hours apart. As you will be able to tell from the following photos, it is vital that backcountry users be prepared for fast changing conditions, especially in early and late season trips.

 
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The Cracker Lake Trail is about 6 miles long. By the time Steve and Astrid reached the lake, around 5:45pm, there was already a small skiff of snow.
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 By 8:45pm Gale force winds were buffeting the tent. Notice all the rocks needed just to keep the ties down.
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The next morning.
As Steve puts it...BURIED ALIVE!!!

 
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Breaking trail through up to three feet of wet heavy snow. Route finding skills are important in the backcountry. Another party of hikers, that were there at the same time, were temporarily lost for a few hours.

 
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Both parties joined up together about two or three miles from the trailhead and everyone made it out safely.

 
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A welcome site!

If you'd like to read Steve's narrative of his "adventure" in the park, click here!
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