Rae
Glacier
August
5, 2011
Elevation gain: 400
m
Roundtrip
time: 2:40
Hiking
with Nina.
Rae
Glacier is a very popular hiking destination and deservedly so. It’s
short,
easy and scenic.
With
the forecast good weather breaking down in the afternoon we got a
relatively
early start, hiking easily to Elbow Lake. There, I enthusiastically
jumped into
my scowling routine, as unexpected clouds the great views of Elbow Lake
and
Elpoca Mountain. Nina was far more positive. Leaving the lake it began
to rain
and we considered turning around. Good thing we didn’t because a
reprieve from
the unpleasant weather was at hand.
By
the time we arrived at a point near the toe of the small and
rather innocuous looking Rae
Glacier, patches of blue sky were making an appearance. A pleasant
break and
easy descent followed. Although
the emotional and intellectual highlight of the trip was Nina's
wonderful company, the
Oscar for Best Scenery went to the
aforementioned view at Elbow Lake, with a lovely blue sky.
A
short and easy, but very enjoyable half day with awesome company.
Elbow
Lake and the south end of Elpoca
Mountain
Looking
through at trees at Elpoca
and Elpoca Tower
(right)
Nina,
with Mount Rae
filling the background
Looking
back at the Elow Lake valley; Tombstone
Mountain (north
and south)
at the right
Nina,
with the Rae Glacier behind
Same
as above, without Nina
The
serrated form of Elpoca
Mountain; the summit is at the far right
Heading
back
The
best view we got of Elpoca
This
one didn't hurt either!
The
same photo as the first one, but with clear skies - what a difference!
Elbow
Lake and the Tombstones
Same
as above, but closer; note the two fisherman in the lake
More
lake scenery
Last
one
