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Learn more about the unique Colorado St Mary’s Glacier below.

I sit in the warm sun on this fall day.  The sun is catching the colors on the leaves and as it hits my face, I am reminded of a hike that James and I took when we were in Colorado.  We heard about St. Mary’s Glacier and thought we would give it a try.

When we visited Alaska, I was pregnant with our youngest child.  I wasn’t feeling too adventurous after a few rough days at sea on our cruise so we didn’t take any of the glacier trips.  This was our opportunity to see and walk on a glacier.  We looked forward to enjoying a beautiful fall day at St. Mary’s Glacier.

St Mary’s Glacier Walking Trail

The walking trail is an easy to moderate hike up St. Mary’s Glacier. The walking trail is also a mile and a half hike round trip.  I am more of a flat land walker so I did find it a little more challenging than most may.

I found it cooler at the bottom of the trail than by the glacier, but we were there at the end of September.  It was rather shady down below and the top was full sun as well as the hike probably made me warm.

The walking trail is definitely a hike not a walk.  The trail is mostly rocks and some of the rocks are quite large.  As you get closer to the top it becomes more of a dirt trail and then turns back to rock again.

The hiking trail signage is not that great.  We did take the wrong trail going up.  We walked straight to the waterfall and followed the waterfall up.  I would not suggest it.

The trail was narrow, steep and there are no trail markings, so you are not sure where you are going to end up.  When you get to the top and see the Glacier and the views it makes the hike worth it. 

Amazing Views

The area was a great spot to takes photos that were amazing, postcard worthy photos.  It was picture perfect with the mountains, the glacial lake and the glacier itself!

It was very interesting to learn that St. Mary’s was home to a ski area, from  1930s through 1986 it was a resort .  The ski area had 3 t-bar lifts and 2 rope toes servicing the resort.

The beginner slopes were 10% of the trails, intermediate slopes were 40% and advanced slopes were 50%.  The 1984 ski area prices were $7.50/adults and $3.50/children what a drastic change from now, there were also no full-serviced bathrooms only outhouses.

Find out more about it on the Colorado Ski History website:  http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/st_marys.html

Glacier Fun

Since the resort has closed, this doesn’t stop skiers or snowboarders.  We saw several people carrying their skis as they hiked up the trail.  We met one man in the parking lot who was originally from Massachusetts, it truly is such a small world we live in!  He was carrying his skis up the hiking trail to ski down the glacier.

By the end of September the glacier had all summer to melt to the smallest size it has ever been.  We also enjoyed a beautiful glacial lake at the bottom of the glacier.

Due to the warmth, there was a small ice cave that I was able to crawl into and snap a quick selfie.  James and I were impressed!

St Mary’s Glacier Parking

There are two parking lots that service the hiking trail.  The parking is an honor system.  You pick a ticket from the pole by the porta potty, fill it out and insert 5 dollars for parking.  You take the ticket stub and leave it on your dashboard.

Although we did meet some campers leaving, as we were starting our journey up to the glacier, the visitor page for St. Mary’s Glacier states that camping is prohibited.

If this type of adventure is for you, be careful during the wintertime, the area is backcountry and once the snow flies there is a chance of avalanche.  This area is not an easy place to get help if you are injured.

In 2016, there was a hiker fatality.  The hiker was hiking in dangerous and avalanche conditions.   For more information about the area click their website @  http://stmarysglacier.com/visitors/

James and I are thrilled that we were able to visit the Colorado St. Mary’s Glacier! The hike and breathtaking views were a perfect way to spend a few hours of our day!! Happy Hiking and remember to bring your cameras!

For more beautiful USA Travel Blogs, click the links below:

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2019/03/05/hugh-taylor-birch-state-park-fort-lauderdale/

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2019/03/13/10-usa-spring-destinations/

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2018/11/07/discover-canyonlands-national-park/