(Nov. 2004) Although it's hard to distinguish details of the glacier, it still is an awesome site to behold. The larger of the two ice caves is about as high as a 3 story building. The landscape below is the moraine left by the glacier retreating into itself. The debris on the top is covered with white and just a little bit of Mt. Rainier is visible above the glacier. I guess what is upsetting to me about this photo is that it is only 2 years old and the glacier itself has changed drastically. Here the sides of the glacier stretch from one side of the valley to the other. In photos taken last summer and fall the sides have pulled away and the ice has receeded a great deal. I wish we could see it today after the great rains of Nov. 2006 and a heavier than normal snowfall. The second photo is of Mother Mountain, down stream from our lunch spot. There is a loop trail that cuts off this trail at Cataract Creek and travels around this mountain to other wonderful destinations. To do the loop trail takes about 3 days. I miss this hike to the glacier very much because it has been one of the standards of the winter and spring. Looks like we may not be able to get there until next summer at the soonest. Update...June 2007....maybe summer of 2008. The subject is under discussion and they may not repair the road at all. They are looking at other alternatives. Those of us that enjoy this trail year-round are hoping for the best. (See other Carbon Glacier photos taken during other seasons posted here in May 2006)