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.
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.
1 comment:
Looks and sounds like you had a good trip.
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