Denali National Park Backpack

My first overnighter of the season last week turned out so well (haha) that I decided to ramp up the adventure with an overnight backpack into the wilds of Denali National Park. Saturday morning found me on the green camper bus leaving the Riley Creek campground headed to the Tolkat River, some 51 miles into the interior of the park. Got off the bus in a light drizzle and descended to the river down a ravine. Lots of animal tracks. Caribou, moose, rabbit, wolf, and yes BEAR. Hike was not too rough as I made my way south about 5 miles to where a creek entered the river from the east. Climbed a ridge and made camp. As it was still raining a little nap was in order. Four hours later, I was as good as new and the rain was over. Beautiful views all around. Did a little exploring and then enjoyed dinner amidst the rocks.

Made it out the next day in good time. Flagged down the bus and was back in Riley Creek area by 6 pm.

A great first trip. Saw many bands of sheep, two rams, and numerous caribou. Tried to play tag with a marmot. Ready to go back!

Mount Magnificent

Tuesday evening we hiked toward the summit of Mount Magnificient in the Eagle River Valley. Only five of us this time and we didn't reach the summit but still a good time! Five miles and a steady climb of about 1600 feet.

Great view of Mount Significant in the distance.

A few of my hiking buds from Anchorage: Alexis, Greg and Danielle. Oh and of course Champ!

Got Me Again

One of these days I'll learn never to underestimate the weather in Alaska. After all, its not simply a matter of getting wet when the weather changes. It literally can have a 'life or death" impact on your plans. My trip to Mint Glacier this past weekend is a good example.

Its a two day trip of 16 miles with the first 7 a gradual uphill alongside the Little Susitna River. Then, you climb a faint trail 1400 feet in the next mile to a cabin overlooking the valley. Supposedly, scenic meadows and a nice tarn and stream are located near the cabin officially known as the Mint Hut.

In light of all the great weather we've had the

past month, I forgot the intensity that these mountains can throw at you in a moment. I packed in anticipation of a summer hike and was greeted with the snowfall so often encountered in late spring outings. The last mile wound up taking over 3 hours as we navigated a boulder field covered in knee deep snow. Once we topped out at 4400 feet the cabin was hard to find and another hour of postholing was needed to secure our lodgings for the night. Snowshoes would have made this a pleasant stroll in the newly fallen late season snow. Without them, it was an ordeal to move through the waist deep drifts and navigate the snow covered boulder fields.





We spent the night in the Mint Hut a really cool place maintained by the Mountaineering Club of Alaska ( we are new members). The following day we found a new route down which enabled us to avoid most of the boulder field and slide down the mountain.