Iceberg Lake

Iceberg Lake – 9.6mi / 15.4km

Iceberg Lake

Icebergs float in an emerald lake surrounded by cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet above the water. This trail is popular for a very good reason. Although the first 0.2 miles have a steep angle, it quickly mellows out to a nice, gradual grade as you break out into incredible views. The meadows on the slopes above you are frequented by bighorn sheep and grizzlies. Mountain goats can often be seen in the cliffs.

The trail enters the forest with scattered views as you pass obscured Ptarmigan Falls, eventually breaking out of the trees and taking you through avalanche chutes and meadows. Wilbur Creek bubbles below you, showing off with distant waterfalls. As you enter the basin, you will come across pools of water leading up to the lake itself. Early season has much of the lake frozen, with sparse icebergs throughout.

As summer brings its warmth, the icebergs will break apart. Although there are some years where the summer sun leaves the lake with no icebergs at all, that is definitely a rarity.

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road to the parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Turn right immediately after the inn and follow the road around to the Iceberg Lake/Ptarmigan Tunnel trailhead.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400ft / 420m

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