Day 4 - Plain of 6 Glacier Teahouse

After leaving Barbara to walk back to the hotel, I guessed  that the rest of our Backroaders were 20 minutes in front of me.   I'm not the youth I once was but I kept a somewhat brisk pace as I ascended up the steep trail.   First through a barren rock scape, battling tiny hale pelting me then crossing the trail covered and packed  with snow.  The hiking poles were heaven sent and helped me and I’m sure the others before me from falling.  Fortunately J waited for me, rescuing me from an indecision at at a key trail junction.  We continued onward, uphill across more barren rock and bigger snow fields challenging our slick ascent.  I could not count the 6 glaciers that supposedly surrounded me due to the low clouds and a light snow flurry blocking our vision. It’s a good thing I had extra layers and gloves, which I had forgotten the previous day.

We reached the Plain of 6 Glaciers and yes, they were still missing but the sight of a two story log cabin surrounded by my fellow Backroaders and a plethora of other hikers was a welcome sight in the biting cold.  Nachos, chili, hot mugs of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, PnB sandwiches were available for all.    We were told the amazing story of the women who back packed all the supplies in and lived in and cared for the Teahouse during the season.  It was hard to conceptualize after hiking up the  steep, slick path in the cold but it was sure welcomed.  

After a bowl of chili, miraculously the clouds slowly parted and the peaks and glaciers began to appear.  This was my opportunity to retake the shots I had taken on my ascent.  Six large frozen ice drifts hung on the cliffs, and again, why didn’t they slide off.  Ignorance is bliss I suppose as Siri was no where to be found.

Trail Notes:  This was a 3 mile hike up 1200 ft.