By DILLON TABISH for the Flathead Beacon Newspaper
During the sizzling heart of summer, there are plenty of popular escapes in the high country of Glacier National Park.
One such spot is Iceberg Lake, located in the middle of Many Glacier. The 4.5-mile hike to Iceberg is considered one of the quintessential treks in the park, featuring colorful meadows, dense forestlands and gaping views of an area sculpted by ancient glaciers. Along the way, hikers can see the impressive Ptarmigan Falls. This area also has an abundance of wildlife, and park officials recommend hikers carry bear spray and keep their distance from any and all animals.
The first stretch of trail features a steep incline but the rest is rather gradual and has an overall elevation gain of roughly 1,400 feet.
The hike features constant rewards, including the namesake lake at the end, which is filled with floating icebergs.
How to get there: Travel the Many Glacier Road to the parking lot at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Follow the road from there to the Iceberg Lake/Ptarmigan Tunnel trailhead. The estimated drive time from Kalispell to the trailhead is roughly three hours.
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