Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel

I met up with my new AZ hiking friends for a hike to Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel. On the way up to Iceberg lake we saw a grizzly in the distance. We felt lucky and walked on almost walking into a light colored black bear. We backed off and it went its way and we went ours up to Iceberg Lake.

From Ptarmigan Tunnel

We spotted a ptarmigan (type of bird) on the way but no other wildlife on our way out. The trail was surrounded by wildflowers and was very beautiful. Iceberg lake had many more icebergs in it this visit. We had it to ourselves for our visit which was really nice.

We then headed up the steeper trail to Ptarmigan lake and Ptarmigan tunnel. The tunnel was blasted through the hillside to create a pass for horses. It was a hot walk up but very pretty. The biggest problem was the mosquitoes which tried to eat us alive at the lake. We made a quick dash past there.

On the way back we cooled off at a small waterfall. The water was icy cold but felt great. After we felt refreshed we headed down the trail where we met up with an old friend - the bear we saw on the way up. We back tracked up the trail but the bear just kept walking up the trail. It is much easier walking than through the woods for them.

From Ptarmigan Tunnel

Soon another group of hikers came down. We kind of got off to the side and the bear not liking the number of people there went off into the woods. As we continued down the trail we found out that the bear had walked right by a group of people checking out Ptarmigan Falls. They didn't have much room at all to move out of its way.

At the bottom we treated ourselves to some huckleberry frozen yogurt. Yum!

I am heading up to Many Glacier for a couple days to camp and hike with some of my AZ hiking friends. There is no cell or internet service there.

Photos here