When we arrived at the shore of Avalanche Lake, the skies were pretty gray. It's still a beautiful scene, with four streams cascading into the lake's far shore of the bowl-like setting. The trail continues along the southern shore of the lake, and you need to keep going a little bit for the best views. That part of the path was a little marshy and muddy, but still passable.

I wish we could have stayed longer: concern about the weather getting worse made us head back earlier than we might have wished. The footing was a little slick in spots, but not too bad. As we neared the end of the trail, the sun returned, and we had a pretty view back up Avalanche Creek to the mountains beyond. Everyone was all smiles on the way down, and felt pretty good about the 4-mile round-trip.

The trail begins at the Trail of the Cedars trailhead along Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side of the park. Trail of the Cedars was partially closed in summer 2003 for renovations.

Begin the hike on the boardwalk trail through huge red cedars. The trail divides quickly. Be sure to take the trail on the left to Avalanche Gorge. The creek crashes through a narrow gorge here among rocks bedecked with green moss. Beautiful! Backtrack and take the right turn for a mostly shady two miles to Avalanche Lake.

The trail steadily climbs upward through western hemlocks and dense underbrush. We Texas lowlanders had to stop a few times to catch our breath while our Colorado relatives laughed!

The trail ends up at the beach of Avalanche Lake. The lake is surrounded on three sides with cliffs punctuated by waterfalls. The water I'm told comes from Sperry Glacier, but you can't see it from here. The water is absolutely clear, and the magnificent view is reflected in the lake.

Many people stop here. It's a good place to eat your lunch. The chipmunks were actively soliciting snacks. There were some Harlequin ducks with their babies swimming near the shore. It was great fun to watch them dive completely under the water. Take some time to just soak in the fabulous view.

We continued along the lakeshore to the other end of the lake. Occasionally you have to do some scrambling over slippery rocks and past dead wood. There was a buck in the velvet and a doe about halfway down the lake. They were also very used to people.

We sat on a big log at the far end of the lake to eat our lunch and watch some kids fishing. One little guy caught a nice-sized fish, and another one accidentally ended up in the VERY cold water. On the way back, we took the trail, which cut through the woods above the lakeshore.

Allow at least three hours for the hike and a little time to enjoy the scenery. There are restrooms at the trailhead, and there was an outhouse near the lake. Avalanche Lake is definitely a sight worth seeing even if there is a crowd.

Another wooden boardwalk spans a narrow gully where immense boulders weep with green moss and the water swirls in a white blur below my feet. I close my eyes and feel A narrow sunbeam warm my face as it reached me….somehow…. through the full canopy above
. Breath deep….slowing of the heart…..as the water music enters your mind.
You won’t be able to keep your eyes closed long because the beauty of the gorge pulls At you and begs to be consumed. "This is just the beginning!" you’ll think to yourself! "Onward and upward we go!" back into the forest that now begins to climb and narrow over a dirt path and uneven stones.

We are talking as we walk, not because of any particular bear danger, but because we are totally alone. I stop and laugh, turning around to Ron behind me, and see a deer frozen in the woods no more than 20 ft off the trail. I didn’t see her when I passed….. and wondered if she had magically appeared! We hold our breath grabbing for camera’s afraid that she will bolt too quickly but she stayed with us, eyes full of innocent curiousity. Progressing, we warn approaching trekkers of her location and they do the same for us. The words " Deer on right….200 ft." or "Elk on slope…… left & across the stream." were whispered in anticipation.

After one hour, dehydration had set in, so we took a water break against a boulder where a glacier could be seen across the valley and a trail of waterfalls cascaded over giant steps. I’m pleasantly tired, but anxious to continue, since I know what is awaiting me at the end!
I run on ahead, leaving Ron behind, knowing that the valley would open to a circle of mountains below a glacier. I’ve been here when dozens of ribbon waterfalls wash into the lake called " Avalanche" due to the steep granite walls that contain it. Today there are 6….maybe 7…. as the glaciers have retreated since my first visit in 1981. If you have energy, you can hike around the lake to the glacial skree, but I prefer to sit and absorb the scene while watching the world’s most beautiful Harlequin ducks that happen to breed here in summer.
This is a "Zen moment"…..truly a hidden treasure!