SUNDAY IN THE PARK

Climbing up to the Overlook

We had such fun Saturday that we returned to Eagle River for another hike on Sunday.  While Champ and I were both a little stiff from the climbing the day before, we warmed up quickly as we joined Dave and a few others for a stroll out to Eagle & Symphony Lakes.  Once we reached the lakes, it was all uphill as we climbed to the Overlook.  A strenuous climb but we made it.

The hike down was way easier and in no time we were back to boulder field following the rock cairns across.  The views back from where we had been became increasingly beautiful as clouds rolled in and the sun changed position.

HARP MOUNTAIN AND RIDGE HIKE

Saturday's weather was perfect for a hike up Harp Mountain.  Champ and I left Anchorage under clear skies and met up with our group at the end of Hiland Road in Eagle River.  The hike up Harp is long and steep but we made good time as the leg muscles slowly warmed up.  We reached the top of Harp (5000 feet) and enjoyed awesome views of the surrounding area. 

Not surprisingly, the upper reaches of Harp were already dusted with snow, a sure sign that winter grows near.  Champ was certainly happy to reconnect with the white stuff.  He ate it and then rolled on his back sliding around and cooling off. 

After a quick snack and mandatory picture taking our group split up.  Half returned to the trailhead while the rest walked the ridgeline back above Hanging Valley.  Mostly good footing with only a few places where scrambling was necessary.  A few miles later we reached the saddle that sits above the end of Hanging Valley.  To our right well below us was a clear mouintain tarn, its waters shimmering  in the afternoon sun.  To our left, our destination  Lookout Point several thousand feet above us and covered already in snow.  On we marched.

As we walked upward the snow became deep enough for us to kick steps and ascend almost straight to the ridge above us.  The reward was incredible views in all directions.  Five thousand feet above Eagle River.  After a short rest, the wind finally appeared and my sweat soaked body started to get cold.  Once again the snow allowed us to make a quick descent back down to the saddle and then down to the floor of Hanging Valley.  As we lost elevation the wind died off and the afternoon sunshine soon had us peeling layers and glistening.  From there, it was a nice walk back to the trailhead, albeit we did do a bit of bushwhacking on the way.

EAGLE RIVER (SECRET CABIN)

Flag is redundant, this place screams Highlands

Saturday Nancy Champ and I headed to Eagle River where we met up with Donna and her two dogs (Chena & Kodiak) for a hike to a "secret cabin."  This small log cabin was built in the 1970's just before the land became Chugach State Park.  It's one room, very rustic and not well known.  A small cadre of friends/users maintain the place with no official sanction from the Park Service including our friend Donna who was kind enough to reveal the "secret" location to us.

Its a bit of a hike out the Crow Pass Trail from the Nature Center to reach the cabin.  I guess with the out and back and the exploring we did around the cabin our weekend mileage was 25 miles or so.  Pretty easy trail in most parts although we had to cross Eagle River, a cold portage even when the sun is shining.  Lucky for us we had sunshine and even found a log to bridge across one channel of the river.  A little bushwhacking is also required to reach the cabin but I'm confident I could find my way back unassisted.

Had to walk up a log to reach the bridge

We arrived about 5 pm.  Had a snack and then hiked to Raven Creek.  There's an old footbridge across this roaring glacier fed creek and with a little bit of repair work on the approach, we were able to get all the dogs and people across and back.










Burning Dog

 Enjoyed a nice fire back at the cabin.  Then dinner and a great night's sleep.

KESUGI RIDGE

I first hiked Kesugi Ridge in July 2008, one of the few times I actually "led" a group in Alaska.  I've longed to return with more time to explore especially the north end near the headwaters of Little Coal Creek.  So last Friday Nancy Champ and I set out for a Memorial Day trek hoping the weather would cooperate and the mountains would be visible.

Got a late start and didn't start hiking till 5:30.  The trail leading up to the ridge is in good shape and was mostly dry.  The lite drizzle actually felt nice as it cooled us off on our climb.  In no time we were above treeline enjoying the scenic alpine tundra in all its fall colors.  Red, yellow and orange all combined to paint a beautiful picture over the background of rock and green.

Once on the ridge, the rain picked up.  Then the wind picked up.  And then picked up some more.  After crossing one of the upper branches of Little Coal Creek, we stumbled on a nice flat spot and somehow got the tent up.  Inside, away from the wind and rain, we decided dinner wasn't gonna happen so we snuggled into the bags passed the rainy night in relative comfort.

Next day we stayed in the tent till the rain stopped.  Following a breakfast of oatmeal (me) and ramen (Nancy) we hit the trail under clearing skies and sunshine.  Right off we hit an obstacle - a rockslide that covered the trail.  It slowed us down only a bit.

Once over the roacky area it was clear sailing, or walking.  The sun was out and the views were great.  Its neat to see the cairns that mark the trail stretching out before you as far as you can see.  In bad weather, they are invaluable as many times the cloulds seem to sit right on the ridge. 

We had planned on hiking only 5 or so miles and then camping, leaving the rest of the hike to Ermine Hill for Sunday.  In light of the nice weather, we decided to push on and go as far as we could.  About 4 pm we met the gang that had camped at Ermine Hill dayhiking north.  We joined them as they returned to their camps as the weather turned again rainy and cool.  By 7 pm, when we reached camp, we were cold wet and tired and hungry.  Luckily the rain stopped as we set the tent up and ate a hot meal.  We had no trouble falling asleep after our 11 mile day.

CROW PASS

 Wednesday August 31, despite less than ideal weather, we loaded our packs and headed for Gridwood, Alaska.  A very lite rain was falling as we reached the trailhead for Crow Pass.  Undeterred we donned raingear and hiked the 3 + miles and 2000 feet elevation gain to reach the new forest service A frame cabin.  There we were greeted by John and Vicky, who had overnighted Tuesday hoping to climb a nearby peak.  Unfortunately, the rainy cloudy zero visibility weather had kept them inside the cabin.  As it looked doubtful that any real clearing weather would occur, they decided to hike down during a lull in the rain leaving Nancy, Champ and I the sole occupants for the night.  They did leave us a supply of kerosene for the oil stove for which we were grateful.

 Thursday morning started out with lots of ground level cloud cover.  We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and relit the stove.  By the time we finished reading the books we hauled in, the clouds had lifted and we enjoyed nice weather as we hiked out.

UPPER RUSSIAN LAKE

On August 25, Nancy, Champ and I, along with Norm and a new friend Deb, journeyed south to Cooper Lake on the Kenai Peninsula.  From the Cooper Lake trailhead, we set off in a light drizzle for our weekend's destination - Upper Russian Lake and the old trapper cabin located there.  A nice walk of about 9.5 miles on mostly good trail although it was pretty damp from all the rains.  On our hike in we saw all manner of fungi, including these really spectacular ones.

We reached the cabin about 4 pm.  A welcome site indeed.  Champ, Norm and I were last here in June when we did our trek on the Resurrection Trail.  The grass was alot higher and the water in the creek alot lower than we remembered but the cabin was just as nice.  A fire was soon lit and we spent the evening recovering from our walk.  Later in the evening Doug Donna and Tom arrived.  By the end of the weekend, a total of nine would be gathered at this snug little abode, built in the early 1950's.

Reading the cabin's journal that night we learned that a pair of grizzlies were often seen around cabin and the lake.  Apparently these two siblings were raised in the area and had just recently left the nest.  So we were only mildly surprised when they came to visit Friday morning.

Tom fishing on the log where the bears had no luck

Spent Friday gathering wood, and playing in the rowboat.  On a trip with Champ and Doug, got to see the two bruins trying to catch salmon.  Missed an awesome photo op as they both stood on a log that jutted out over the water.

Nancy and Donna herding ducks