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.

Denali Highway

On Friday we journeyed to Denali National Park for a quick hike up Mt Healy. We used an access trail starting just outside park boundaries so Champ could join the fun. Very nice hike and lots of cool flowers. We then hit the road for the Denali Highway. This 135 mile long mostly gravel road runs east from Healy to Cantwell. At one time it was the only access to the National Park. Most of the land adjoining the road is BLM controlled and there are numerous places to camp. We selected one of the established campgrounds and set up camp by a picturesqe stream. Spotted a moose on the way in and numerous ducks and swans.

Saturday we drove about 75 miles west to McLaren Pass. Spent a few hours hiking to the summit of Mt McLaren and enjoyed the views of the glacier. Spotted a momma moose with two newborn calves. Champ made her a bit uneasy so we stayed our distance. Later we encountered a small caribou herd which we watched for some time. The wind was blowing so that they didn't smell us until they circled around by which time they were pretty close. They then retreated to a small snowfield directly in front of us. All this movement finally got the best of Champ and the chase began. Not sure how long it lasted as they quickly vanished over a ridge and dropped down to a wide open area out of site. It was about thirty minutes before I spotted Champ next. He was a mile away on a lower ridge, just barely visible. Blowing steadily on the dog whistle and waving my arms, I managed to catch his eye and he began the long trip back. He was one tuckered pooch by the time we finished the hike. Of course, we did 11 miles and he did 20! Cooked dinner in a roadside pullout and admired the setting sun. Made it back to the camp at midnight and the sun was still visible. Saw many porcupine on the trip that night, must have been some kind of convention going on.

Next day we moved back to Denali National Park and camped at Riley Creek. Monday we took advantage of the still beautiful weather and climbed Primrose Ridge and Mt. Margaret. 4 miles and 2300 feet above the road. Saw the ongoing forest fire near McGrath. Just as we finished lunch, the weather turned nasty with ominous dark clouds moving in rapidly and thunder and lightening flashes in the distance. To say we ran down the mountain would be accurate. En route we endured a hail storm with heavy wind and rain. At one point the graphite hiking poles carried by David started to vibrate causing us to put on another burst of speed. We reached the relative safety of the road in 50 minutes.

Heart and Lunger

Joined the Anchorage Adventurers last evening for a cool hike from South Eagle River Trail to Artic Valley Ski basin. Very steep at first (hence the heart and lunger designation) then cool ridge walking for a mile or so with awesome views.

Swimming Lessons

With the weather staying darn near perfect we joined the Mat-Su Valley Hiking Group for a Sunday afternoon stroll to Redshirt Lake. At the end of a very easy 3 mile walk through mostly birch forest, we arrived at our destination. I had Champ's tennis ball, thinking I might tempt him to actually go deep enough to swim. No dice. Sadie, the chocolate lab, had no such qualms and fetched the ball several times. Champ simply waited till she brought the ball back to shore and then snatched it. So a few minutes later I was surprised when he swam after Sadie as she fetched a stick. After that, he went into beaver mode swimming quite well as far as you pleased.

Bodenburg Butte

Tackled this easy 900 foot climb just outside Palmer on Thursday. Trail was very dusty due to the lack of rain the past two weeks. I'm always amazed at the views one is rewarded with on the Butte.

Finally got some much needed rain on Friday. A slow drizzle most of the day giving way to sunshine by 5 pm. Actually lit a fire in the morning as I finished reading a silly novel about lady accoutants, OPEC and the fountain of youth.