[raising3hikers]

I took the day off from work to take the kids up to the Columbia glacier to try and meet up with Peltoms and his North Cascade Glacier Climate crew. The boys have been very excited to go and see another glacier and so was I. Jayden and I first hiked to Blanca Lake 4 years ago and we've wanted to go back and go all the way to the glacier high above the lake to the North. Ryan just loves glaciers, so he was definitely in on this trip. We arrived at the TH and began hiking up the nice old growth forest at around 8. The many switchbacks lead us to the small meadows above with a nice look at Glacier Peak to the East. We dropped some elevation to get to the beautiful Blanca Lake. The color of that lake just amazes me. At the outlet stream, we had to take our boots off and cross the shallow but cold creek. Lots of logs and sticks in there but I'd advise to bring some other footwear to put on to cross it.

Blanca Lake

The boys fording the stream

turquiose lake and white logs

colorful

We made our way, mostly along the lake shore with a few stints in the woods. We got to the end of the lake and saw the glacier crews camp area. Their film crew was there and we talked to them for a minute and headed up to the glacier. We boulder hopped most of the way and reached some smooth rock slabs before getting our first close look at the Columbia glacier. There was a small pea soup green colored pond in front of the glacier that looked pretty cool. We reached the glacier and started up it. We crossed several small crevasses which had the kids incredibly excited. They loved seeing the blue ice along with the melt water streams flowing on top. We went half way up the glacier and saw a mountain goat cross from one side to the other going up a really steep slope. We didn't see the glacier guys but the camera men said that they might be taking their lunch up at the pass a 1000' above the glacier. I knew this would be too much for the kids to do after an already big day hike. So we wandered around a bit and turned around. I tried to answer every glacier question they had and I hope they learned something today. We took a long break off the glacier at a spot overlooking Blanca Lake before going all the way back down.

small pond below the glacier

the boys on the glacier

looking back towards Blanca Lake from the glacier

blue glacier ice

We returned to the lake and began the hike along the shores dreading the creek crossing again. Ryan and I took our boots off again as Jayden plowed quickly through with his boots on. Once we had to go back up hill again, the thunderstorms were starting up. 2 weeks in a row hiking in storms. At least we were in a tall forest this time. We didn't mind the big rain drops because it was still pretty warm out. The downhill back to the TH was uneventful and everybody was glad the long day was over.

Ryan and Jayden in front of the Columbia glacier

Columbia Glacier

glacial ice

small streams and waterfalls

a few wildflowers

It was a long day but the kids will have some good ideas for some school projects this up coming school year! Too bad we didn't meet the glacier guys but it was still a great day. 12.5 miles 4800' elevation gain

[Scrooge]

Nice to have a trip with both boys along again. Glad you made it to the Columbia Glacier, while it's still there. It's one of the many that will disappear entirely in the next few years. Too bad you weren't able to hook up with peltoms. As a man whose been raising two hikers, himself (his son and daughter are now part of his field team), I suspect you would have had fun comparing notes.

[Snowdog]

it doesn't appear as if you felt the need to use a rope? mellow glacier?

[Hikingqueen]

That green color is amazing!

[raising3hikers]

[kite]

Nice!

[Matt]

Nice trip. I always like the color of Blanca Lake. And it's cool that your kids got to explore the edge of a glacier, and maybe even learn some things about it.

[Arete]

This looks like a great place to explore. I've never been up there to the lake and the glacier. It looks like a place our boys would like given how much fun your boys had. It is great how you get them out there! I was encouraged by Scrooge's comment that Peltoms' kids are part of his field team. When I stop to check out plants in the mountains (my profession), my boys just groan and roll their eyes . Thanks for the report!

[Matt Lemke]

Looks like a great time I was just there and Loved the lake. Didn't quite get to the glacier. Here is a pic of that beautiful green Lake I took (I apologize in advance for the sky noise and/or artifacts as I fixed that after I put this pic online)