A Hike Up to Sperry Campground and a Visit to Sperry Glacier
September 5-7, 2009
Copyright Notice

I hiked up to Comeau Pass last summer hoping to climb Mount Edwards. The weather did not cooperate that day but the beauty of the area around Sperry Glacier was captivating. I suggested a three day backpack to Jen and Ron. We planned it for the Labor Day weekend so we could camp two consecutive nights at the Sperry backcountry camp site.

Our hike in began near the Lake McDonald Lodge. The trail is heavily used and very wide. It gets quite a bit of use by hikers and horse parties. Even so the forest was quiet and beautiful. The dappled light illuminated the small trees on the forest floor (below left).

Below right, I'm bringing up the rear trying to save energy for the steep uphill hike that features 3,400 feet of elevation gain in 6.4 miles.
Above Left: Eventually we climbed above the thicker forest. The trail was still steep but the ever increasing views made for a more enjoyable time.

Above Right: Jen and Ron approaching the rock ledges where the Sperry backcountry campground in located.

Left: Dinner time at the food prep area.

Above Left: Jen in the food prep area.

At breakfast Sunday morning we were joined by several mountain goats.
The Sperry area is noted for the abundance of mountain goats. They frolicked around the campground and seemed to be just about everywhere we looked.
After breakfast we began the hike up to Comeau Pass. Ron and I hoped to climb Edwards Mountain and we all hoped to get a good look at Sperry Glacier.

The weather deteriorated some and the clouds lowered over the mountain summits. I look a little surreal as I hike out of the fog above.

We soon approached Comeau Pass which was in the fog above us. To reach the pass a crack was blasted out and stairs were installed up the steep cliff.

Left: We are at the base of the stairway.

Below Left: The stairway up the crack to Comeau Pass.

Below Right: Jen is following me up the steep stairway. The wind was howling up the crack and we knew the descent might be more interesting.

Once above Comeau Pass, with the wind still howling and the fog shrouding the peaks, we gave up any idea of climbing Edwards Mountain. So we found a sheltered spot enjoyed a luncheon. A little drizzle added to the mystery of this spot.

After resting some we decided to hike as far toward Sperry Glacier as we could.

At one time, maybe in the very early 1900s, Sperry Glacier was right above Comeau Pass. But now one has to walk almost a mile through a maze of ridges and moraines to see this beautiful ice sheet.

Just as we approached the last cairn on the route the clouds lifted some and provided a great view across Sperry Glacier.

Left: We could see the layers of ice caused by the annual accumulation of snow.

Below Right: Looking up there were huge crevasses.

While enjoying views of the glacier it rained a little and sleeted a little and snowed a little. The weather seemed fitting for a place of ice and snow.

As we descended back to Comeau Pass the clouds lifted more. All the way down we could see the nifty ponds, lakes and waterfalls that had been hidden in the fog during our ascent.
Back at camp the sun was shining. This little pond is a very pretty spot right along the trail between the tent sites and the food prep area of the Sperry backcountry campground.
We had thoughts of hiking out via Gunsight Pass but the weather on Monday morning was still iffy. Low clouds hung over the mountains and there was a thread of rain and snow.

We settled for an exploration of Lincoln Pass and then returned to camp to pack up.

Within only a couple of hours we were cross Snyder Creek at Crystal ford.
A very light drizzle began just before reaching our vehicle at the trailhead. Fortunately we were able to change clothes and reach the Lake McDonald Camps Store before the real precipitation started.
Heading back up the McDonald Creek valley, the rain came in earnest. Higher up at Logan Pass cars were covered in slush and tourists scurried around trying to stay warm.

But down in the valley we were treated to a nifty rainbow arching over the road. Any day that features a rainbow is a good day!