Byron Glacier Trail is a casual hike to see ice formations and watch ecological succession in action, in the wake of a receding glacier. Byron glacier extended much farther down the valley just decades ago, but its retreat has left barren ground for plants to reclaim. On the trail you’ll walk through a maturing forest of cottonwood and alder, then into more recently vegetated terrain where shrubs and wildflowers are gradually advancing on the rocky plain. The glacier itself is visible ahead, though it’s now confined to the uppermost slopes of the valley. You can see other ice formations, however, in the mounds of snow leftover from winter avalanches. As meltwater streams beneath the compressed snow, caves are hollowed out. These are dangerous to enter but fascinating to view from outside.