Blue Lake fills a shallow depression in a shelf on the east wall of Glacier Gorge. Green Lake lies in the shadow of Pagoda Mountain in the upper corner of Glacier Gorge. Frozen Lake is the highest and arguably most challenging of the three trail-less lakes located above Black Lake. Frozen Lake is tucked in a rocky bowl beneath The Spearhead, an aptly named rock formation and notorious climbing destination.

Negotiate rugged terrain around Frozen Lake for an aerial view over Black Lake

Cushion and mat plants help build soil by catching organic debris in their foliage

The trail scales Ribbon Falls just before reaching Black Lake

The Spearhead (12,575') looms over Green Lake at the head of Glacier Gorge

Juvenile bull elk often form small bachelor herds in the summer

Frozen Lake

Looking south across Blue Lake toward the Spearhead

The route to Green Lake passes through varied, uneven terrain

Green Lake

Cairns lead over rock slabs above Black Lake's inlet

Blue Lake

Many rock slabs in the upper valley hold shallow pools

The Spearhead stands over Green Lake

Blue Lake fills a shallow depression in a bulging shelf on the east wall of Glacier Gorge

The unmaintained route climbs over Black Lake with great views of the cirque

The Native American word for elk is 'Wapiti', which means 'white deer'

A network of alpine streams cut deep, narrow channels through the tundra

Looking north down Glacier Gorge from Blue Lake