Great Glacier Trail

The weather was better on the second day.  We hiked up the Great Glacier Trail.  It followed the Illecillewaet River up to the bedrock below the Illecillewaet Glacier.

A view toward our destination

The trail goes by the ruins of Glacier House, the former National Park Lodge that was abandoned after the rail line was rerouted through the Connaught Tunnel to avoid avalanches.

Old boiler from Glacier House

Nearing our destination

The trail ended when we reached the bedrock, but you could continue up to the glacier.

We could see the Vaux Glacier on the left

The view was spectacular.  Though the Illecillewaet Glacier was hidden above us, we could see the Vaux Glacier across the valley and this waterfall:

Leo continued on up the mountain while I stayed behind,

but he eventually turned around before reaching the glacier.

It was too late in the year for most alpine flowers, but still lots of lovely rock garden foliage

and lots of very sweet blueberries.

Connie's reward!

We also tried out these western teaberries, new to us.  To our surprise they were tasty and sweet.

On our way back we took an alternate route and crossed the raging Illecillewaet River.