This was the first glacier adventure for my husband and me, and it was fantastic! We started from the Bear Lake trailhead at 6am because Glacier Gorge was already full. Hiking the trail with the family, we arrived near the boulder field around 830,and my husband and I made it up to the tarn around 915. Here, we put on gaiters, crampons, and pulled out mountaineering axes to ascend the glacier. Our gear choice was perfect for the snow conditions on the glacier, as anything less could easily mean sliding down hundreds of feet into boulders on the side, or into the frigid lake. We stayed toward the south side of the glacier, finding the shallower slopes, and trying to avoid any possible cravasses. We were not roped up, since we had read crevasse danger should be minimal. It took us a little less than an hour to ascend, and the views from the divide were unimaginably gorgeous! It was secluded and away from the busy crowds on the trail below.
I recommend getting an early start, as the warming sun will make the snow slushier as the day progresses. This is a great first glacier experience!
benners - Sep 26, 2011 10:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2011
Good Exit
Descended this route after hitting Taylor from Powell. Andrews Glacier makes for a good descent route off of the Glacier Gorge Traverse.
CSUMarmot - Aug 3, 2010 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2010
Climbed with 50 lbs of crap
50 pounds of backpacking gear up that snowy bastard en route to Grand Lake
rkymtn - Oct 4, 2008 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2008
To Taylor Peak
A fun ascent. The headwall was much steeper and allowed for a direct climb with good run out.
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11/21/09 - Climbed with Haliku and another friend. The slope was wind blown and had exposed ice on the second half.
Bill Reed - Nov 11, 2007 10:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2005
1st Glacier climb and descent
Made it up using crampons & ice axe. Found out how unfriendly the glacier can be to one's ass, on the return glissade.
dpk - Oct 4, 2007 9:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
made it to the base
Did not make it on, up, over, or through the glacier - perhaps next year
velodurt - Feb 26, 2007 9:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 1992
Rocky Mountain High!
My friends and I climbed to Andrews back in 1992...one of our first alpine hikes, and we have been hooked ever since! We have a few photos and a report on our website Natural Born Hikers
mountainlady - Jul 12, 2015 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2015
First Glacier Adventure!This was the first glacier adventure for my husband and me, and it was fantastic! We started from the Bear Lake trailhead at 6am because Glacier Gorge was already full. Hiking the trail with the family, we arrived near the boulder field around 830,and my husband and I made it up to the tarn around 915. Here, we put on gaiters, crampons, and pulled out mountaineering axes to ascend the glacier. Our gear choice was perfect for the snow conditions on the glacier, as anything less could easily mean sliding down hundreds of feet into boulders on the side, or into the frigid lake. We stayed toward the south side of the glacier, finding the shallower slopes, and trying to avoid any possible cravasses. We were not roped up, since we had read crevasse danger should be minimal. It took us a little less than an hour to ascend, and the views from the divide were unimaginably gorgeous! It was secluded and away from the busy crowds on the trail below.
I recommend getting an early start, as the warming sun will make the snow slushier as the day progresses. This is a great first glacier experience!
benners - Sep 26, 2011 10:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2011
Good ExitDescended this route after hitting Taylor from Powell. Andrews Glacier makes for a good descent route off of the Glacier Gorge Traverse.
CSUMarmot - Aug 3, 2010 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2010
Climbed with 50 lbs of crap50 pounds of backpacking gear up that snowy bastard en route to Grand Lake
rkymtn - Oct 4, 2008 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2008
To Taylor PeakA fun ascent. The headwall was much steeper and allowed for a direct climb with good run out.
----
11/21/09 - Climbed with Haliku and another friend. The slope was wind blown and had exposed ice on the second half.
Bill Reed - Nov 11, 2007 10:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2005
1st Glacier climb and descentMade it up using crampons & ice axe. Found out how unfriendly the glacier can be to one's ass, on the return glissade.
dpk - Oct 4, 2007 9:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
made it to the baseDid not make it on, up, over, or through the glacier - perhaps next year
velodurt - Feb 26, 2007 9:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 1992
Rocky Mountain High!My friends and I climbed to Andrews back in 1992...one of our first alpine hikes, and we have been hooked ever since! We have a few photos and a report on our website Natural Born Hikers