Independence Mine

Today was a wonderful workout and another beautiful day up at Hatcher Pass.  I followed the road to the top then instead of turning around and skiing back down the steep hill I had just climbed, I followed a groomed trail heading to the right.  I had no idea where it went or if it would ever get me back to the parking lot.  But it was a beautiful route.  It was narrower then the road route and had some steep downhill parts that I took very slowly.  I've never seen this route groomed, so it was quite a treat.  The temperature was nice and the 50 mph wind was staying down in Palmer.  It was totally calm up there. I used my classic skis in stead of struggling again with the skate skies.