POLYCHROME BACKPACK

Morning visitor

Sept 15 I boarded a camper bus for a trek in the Polychrome area.  Dropped off about 3 on a sunny warm afternoon.  Sheep were high above the road trying to stay cool.  Found a nice tent spot and enjoyed exploring a small stream nearby.  Went to sleep listening to the "go back goback " calls of a flock of Ptarmigan and later awoke to the howling of wolves alongways off but still lound enough to register.  Got a morning visitor while trying to take pics of the mountain.

CRESCENT LAKE

Despite severe weather warnings, Champ and I headed south Friday hoping to hike to the Crescent Saddle Cabin Saturday morning.  Alexis and Ted rounded out our troop as we plowed through heavy winds and pouring rain aiming for the Carter lake trailhead about 30 miles from Seward.  Plan was to spend the night at the trailhead and start hiking Saturday morning.  When we reached the trailhead, rain was pretty hard so we headed into Seward where Ted and Alexis got room in Army Rec hotel and Champ and I bunked in truck.  Rained all night and still raining next day.  After nice breakfast we headed back to the trailhead only to be stopped short by an avalanche of mud and downed trees that had the highway closed.  So we headed back to Seward and spent the morning in the Safeway drinking coffee and bullshitting.  By noon the road was opened so off we went.  Hiking by 12:20 as we went steeply uphill dodging small streams in the trail and wading larger ones that crossed the trail.  Reached 1600 feet and Carter Lake in short order and watched the ducks there enjoying the weather.  Just before we reached the trail to the cabin, met two hikers who advised that getting there would involve waist deep stream crossings.  Worried about what they would look like the following day as it was still raining, we chickened out and turned around at Crescent Lake.  Probably wise move as the steams we crossed earlier in the day were much deeper on our return to the truck.  Oh well, at least we got a nice workout...a 7 mile dayhike with full pack.  Plus Champ had fun!

ROAD LOTTERY



Each year when the buses stop running the park service allows a limited number of private autos access to the road system for four days.  You register in the spring and then they have a drawing and announce lottery winners in early summer.  We finally won a spot this year.  Weather was great and the mountain was out.  Can't beat the comfort of your own car and unlimited PB&Js while you enjoy the beauty of DNP.

Rolling in a Rolls

WINDY

Fall is here and with it the high winds.  Looking out the window today I spotted these vessels braving the elements for who knows what reason.

CHANGE

Camp Robber hopping for some attention

Had a great season ending run of weather at DNP.  Sunny days and clear nights from September 8th right on up to when we left on Tuesday (Sept 21).  Managed several more trips into the park including a backcountry overnight and a ride to Wonder Lake on the last day of the road lottery.  Animal sightings, mountain views and spectacular fall colors.  Just a bit sad to see it all end for this year.  Console myself with the thoughts of what adventures await us during the coming winter months.

MOOSE

While you see moose everywhere in Alaska, its still a treat watching the long legged beasts doing what moose do.  Amid the fall color and cooler weather here in Denali National Park, one of the things they do is rut.  Battles of dominance to impress the ladies.  Not sure what all the rules are, but the rut gives us an opportunity to get up close (within reason) for pictures. 

ROCK CREEK TRAIL

Yellow brick road?

Headed out this evening for a stroll down the Rock Creek Trail.  First time and it was a nice walk.  Lots of color and a few hares to lively the hike up just a bit.  A slight drizzle but being in the forest kept us mostly dry.