On the way up we were entertained for some time by a Red Squirrel who appeared to be stocking up for winter. He was biting pieces off a large fungus, then running up various trees and stashing the pieces of fungus in among the pine needles. We had a nice cuppa tea at the teahouse – well cranberry tea and tea biscuits (scones) in fact - (gluten you say, what gluten?).
We then decided to take the Highline Track to the Plain of Six Glaciers – good choice. The view back towards the lake and the chateau was amazing. We also heard and saw the tail end of an avalanche. We had heard earlier that because of the new snow there was an increased chance of avalanche. The walk to the Plain of Six Glaciers was long (we covered about 15 km by the time we got back to the car park). Fortunately, there was another teahouse at the end (built in 1924) where we had soup and chips. We were expecting hot chips but they turned out to be corn chips - understandable I guess when they have to pack everything extra in and out. They have one helicopter drop at the beginning of the season and then after that, it is either horse or people's back supplying the transport. We didn’t actually get to stand on the glaciers but they were still pretty amazing – and cold.
Had some good viewings of the Least Chipmunk, the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and a Three-Toed Woodpecker in our travels today. By the time we walked back to the car, we were pretty exhausted.
Came home for a rest for an hour and then drove out to Moraine Lake. Same incredible colour as Louise Lake but in a much deeper gorge. Called Lake Moraine because of the huge moraine (rock pile) left by the glacier when it receded.
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| Moraine Lake |
