Things to do in Clearwater County

The Fairmont Hotel faces the lake. The quiet lake is turquoise and clear, surrounded by mountains. The snow on the top of the mountain has not melted. The white snow, blue sky and blue lake form the most beautiful postcard.

The Columbia Glacier lay sprawled on the mountainside like a giant, grayish-brown figure. The ride up in the large vehicle was a jarring experience, leaving me feeling completely shaken. The ice was slippery underfoot, crunching with every step, and a pale blue light shone through the cracks. The wind whipped into my collar, making me shiver. Meltwater trickled in the distance; the guide said the ice was tens of thousands of years old, looking like frozen time. After half an hour, my hands and feet ached from the cold, so I quickly crawled back into the vehicle. Looking back, all I saw was that stark, white expanse standing there, cold and desolate.