Matanuska Peak Birthday Hike

 I turned 79 today. The plan was for me to lead the Valley Wanderers up Matanuska Peak, the 6103 mountain near my home. Only 1 of the Valley Wanderers responded that they were coming. Nan joined me and my friend Pam. Nan couldn't do the whole hike but was with us to the picnic table. Pam and I and our 2 little dogs hiked the rest of the way. We took the McRoberts Creek Trail because it's a little shorter, although a bit steeper than the Matanuska Peak Trail. The guys who told me on Tuesday that Virginia and Karen were coming, must have misunderstood because they did not come. Although Virginia did leave a birthday card on my car that I found when we got down. It was really tough due to long stretches of steep snow that were too soft for spikes to be of value. Instead, I ended up kicking steps up the snowfield until it got too steep for comfort. Then I made a diagonal route over to the rocky ridge. Snow was obscuring much of the actual trail, so at times it was difficult to figure out the best route. We found that our best route was to follow my dog, Bella, who seemed to always find a good route. Until, of course she decided to take off to parts unknown resulting in long periods of me screaming "Bella" until she would finally come back into view. That was quite infuriating and a little scary. I didn't relish the thought of spending the night up there hoping to find her after she was done chasing a squirrel across the slopes. We were very slow up on the rocky ridge that seems to go on forever. Pam took a couple of falls and was slowing down. I stopped to wait for her at one point, while sitting on a huge rock. That rock decided it wanted to roll down the hill. It knocked me off and I fell onto another huge rock, smacking my right ribcage. After that, Breathing was uncomfortable but I was able to carry on. Then the clouds started rolling in. We could see that it wouldn't be long before the peak would be totally obscured in clouds. The best part of that climb, or any big climb, is the view from the top. So I was getting discouraged and both of us were in some degree of pain. But we knew we were very close to the top. A young couple that had been ahead of us finally descended, and as they passed us, they told us that couldn't make the top because of lots of deep snow and ice, so they turned back. Even though we had less than 1/4 mile left to go, that was very disheartening. We decided it was probably best to leave the summit for another day, and we turned back. It was really tough going down. Pam had hurt her leg on a rock and was having lots of trouble walking. I kept trying to find the best way to avoid the long snow slope we had climbed on the way up. Bella led the way, but there didn't seem to be a method to avoid the snow. Then we saw two teenaged boys stumbling through the snow on their way up. It looked pretty miserable, but when I saw they made it to the rocks, I just said - Forget it! I'm taking that route. The snow was so soft that I often sank into snow well above my knees. Poor Bella kept falling into the foot holes and having to climb out. I put her up on the unbroken snow and for the most part, she was able to stay on top. Once past the snow, I waited for Pam. She was having a terrible time through that mess because her injured leg kept buckling. She fell a couple of times and had blood on her arm and her face. Somehow we happily made it back to the picnic table. We took a much needed break and ate whatever we had left and tanked up on water. Then off to the long trek down the Matanuska Peak Trail. We took that trail over the McRoberts Creek Trail because, although a little longer, it is not as steep. But it was a very long very slow trip down, with poor Pam hurting and the dark clouds and thunder threatening to douse us with rain. Happily, we made it to the car just as the storm finally hit, so we just got a few drops of rain. It was a downpour by the time I drove the 5 miles back to my house. We hiked 9.6 miles round trip on a trail that is 10 miles round trip. So we were certainly very close to the summit. Last time I climbed the peak I took 9 hours. We took 12 hours today! That gives an idea of the degree of difficulty compared to my sunny solo Labor Day climb last September. It was crazy, but it was spectacularly beautiful, and I can't wait to give it another try once the snow is gone. Pam swore to never set foot there again. But I bet she goes with me next time! Well, maybe not, but for sure Bella will. I will need her to do the route finding!! She was amazing for such a tiny thing.

I plan to celebrate my 80th climbing it next May!

Our Navigator, Bella

The rocky ridge

clouds gathering

Thunderstorm getting ready to drown us!

McRoberts Creek Trail Recon Hike

 My birthday is Saturday, May 24 and I plan to lead the Valley Wanderers on one of my favorite hikes, up Matanuska Peak. Judging by the amount of snow I can see from down below, it looks like it might be quite the challenge mainly due to lots of snow. I've been mainly worried about the area across the valley between Lazy Mountain and Matanuska Peak because the snow can get pretty deep through there and it is quite sheltered from the wind. The hardest part of the hike is the steep scree and rock trail up the far ridge. But that appears to be mostly clear due to exposure to the wind. I wanted to try to get a chance to hike up there to see what the actual conditions were, so I could advise the others who might want to go with me on Saturday. But it has been raining every day, and I worried that more snow would be building up in that valley. Today I finally got a break in the weather and decided to hike up the McRoberts Creek Trail to the metal tripod that joins the Matanuska Peak Trail to the McRoberts Creek Trail. I want to use the McRoberts Creek Trail on Saturday too, because it is a little shorter and less busy. I always feel a little nervous back in that area because, especially on a weekday, I won't see many people. Bears are now waking up and moose are having their calves. I wore my bear bells and carried my bear spray and tried to make a lot of noise. I kept Bella on her leash most of the way too, so she didn't go chasing the wildlife. The trail up to the tripod was fabulous. Mostly dry and clear of brush. I did run into a couple of guys who told me that they knew a couple of Valley Wanderers who planned to hike with me on Saturday. Virginia and Karen, who are the two host hard core of the group. They haven't officially told me they are coming, but I'm thrilled that they are. If they come, I know I can follow in their footsteps, because if anyone can make it up Matanuska Peak, it will be those two amazing women. I had just planned to go to the tripod to assess the conditions, then turn back, But when I got there, I found the trail was pretty good, so I kept on it towards Matanuska Peak. The tripod is at marker 14500 feet and I continued to just past the 18000 marker. At that point I did start encountering long patches of slushy snow. But snowshoes were not needed. I couldn't tell if conditions would get worse, and hoped to make it to the picnic table then turn back. But the wind started getting really strong and the clouds were getting lower and lower. I really didn't want to get caught in a big rain or thunderstorm up there, so I turned back at that point. Instead of following the McRoberts Creek Trail back, I stayed on the actual Matanuska Peak Trail all the way back to the car, so I could assess the conditions on it. That trail is also in very good, mostly dry condition. So however we choose to go on Saturday, we should be fine at least until we get past the 18000 marker. I really enjoyed this 6.5 mile little solo excursion with just me and Bella. I know she enjoyed it too. 

McRoberts Creek

Matanuska Peak

The Tripod

The trail at 18000 Marker

Lazy Creek Bridge

Blueberry Knoll

 This was a Valley Wanderers hike, but most of the Valley Wanderers were either biking in Denali Park or off traveling elsewhere. Today it was just Sarah and me, and of course Bella. The trail is in pretty good condition, considering how extremely muddy it is everywhere else. There were definitely some nasty muddy spots, but it was easy to navigate around them. By the time we reached the ridge, we were cloud walkers. The clouds and fog were swirling around us. We didn't get the pleasure of the amazing view from up on the knoll, but it was still mysteriously beautiful. Almost all of the snow is gone up there now. I had a great time hiking with Sarah. I enjoyed having the chance to get to know her better since I wasn't competing with the rest of the group for conversation. It was a really pleasant little 3.22 mile hike. My dog is a muddy mess and will be going directly to the kitchen sink for a much needed bath. 

Gold Mint Trail

 Most Fridays I hike with my friend Pam and our two dogs. She didn't have a lot of time today so we chose a short hike on the Gold Mint Trail. I warned that it had looked pretty awful last week when I checked it. But we gave it a try anyway. The first half was lovely, with no snow or mud. But gradually it deteriorated to slushy snow that was built up in the center and sloped off each side. We kept slipping off the snow. We had to avoid mud where there wasn't actual snow. About a mile and a quarter in, we came to the old avalanche that had crossed the trail. The gigantic snow pile had barely melted at all. We had to very carefully climb up over it. There were now some deep holes that we had to be careful avoid as we found our way up and over the pile. Bella and Pam's dog, Dahla, raced up over it as if it wasn't even there. But we humans had to be a little more careful. We walked a little farther then found ourselves in deeper snow with lots of very wet areas. Together we decided this trail was not rated very high on the fun scale, so we turned back. We both concurred that folks should wait a couple more weeks before hiking the Gold Mint Trail. But in spite of the miserable conditions, it was still really nice to be out in the fresh air enjoying nature. I know those 2 little dogs still thought it was great fun. We still walked over 3 miles thorough that mess. 

Pam on the avalanche debris

Bella on typical trail conditions

Eklutna Lakeside Trail

 Katie, my friend who hiked Lazy Mountain with me a few days ago, wanted to go on a short flat hike somewhere, since she doesn't start her new job until next week. Eklutna Lake is nice and flat and you can make it as long or short as you want. We hiked the Lakeside Trail to the cabin and back. It's a little over 6 miles. We stopped and paid our respects to the spot where my dog, Baby was killed. My 2 little butterflies are still attached to the trees. They're so hard to see, that no one has decided to remove them. Someone did remove the tiny birdhouse I hung from a tree. I suspect the park service decided it was somehow offensive. It was a lot easier to see than the tiny butterflies. So they will remain a secret that only I can find. The lake is really low right now. It supplies the water for the city of Anchorage, so sometimes I think they let more escape for that purpose at certain times of the year. There wasn't very much snow anywhere this winter, so most of the lakes are still a little low. 

Lazy Mountain

 This was an odd hike with the Valley Wanderers. Part of the group was hiking up the back side of Lazy Mountain from the Smith Road Trailhead. The other half were hiking up the main steep Lazy Mountain Trail. I invited my friend Katie to come along with us. on the steep regular trail. I started with Bella on her leash, and she insisted on stopping to sniff every tree, blade of grass, rock, everything. So Katie and I fell a little behind the others. I finally got Bella moving but we never caught up with the rest of the group. Katie and I walked at our own pace and really had an enjoyable hike. At the first picnic table we asked some people there if  they had seen the rest of our group. They passed on the message that they had decided not to wait for us. Ha ha, that was kind of obvious wasn't it! We kept on and finally met them just below the summit as they were descending. They couldn't have been more than 5 minutes ahead of us. In fact, they didn't even go all the way to the actual summit. The group coming up the other side had met them and turned back right where we found them. Katie and I went on to the top. Katie isn't crazy about the last little sketchy rock climb to the official summit so she waited while I followed Bella up there. I took a 360 degree video from the summit, had a couple snacks and went down with Katie. We took the Southside Trail down, as the others had done, and then took the Morgan Horse Trail for an extra mile or so back to our cars parked at the Lazy Mountain Trailhead. It was a really fun hike and a gorgeous day to be up there. It really didn't matter that we didn't get to socialize with the rest of the group. Sometimes I enjoy hikes with only one other person. I find I get to know my hiking partner much better when not competing with the rest of the group for conversation. I really enjoyed hiking with Katie. 

Summit Video

Bella's Summit Shot

Independence Mine Hike

It's been so hard to find a nice place for a hike where we're not walking in mud or in the rain. First I checked the Gold Mint Trail but it looked really awful, with still deep slushy snow. Farther up the road Archangel Road looked about the same. I decided that if I'm going to walk on the snow, I should just go where it's still solid groomed snow. I didn't bring skis, although they would have been useful today. But there was almost no one up there skiing anyway. I just walked up the closed road to the mine buildings and let Bella off her leash to run freely. I think she had a good time, and I certainly enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I hoped that the trail up to Gold Cord Lake would be packed by other hikers, so we could walk up there. But no one has hiked up there and the trail wasn't visible yet. So Bella and I just walked a couple of miles on the snow enjoying the view. 

Lazy Mountain Southside Trail

 I joined the Valley Wanderers today for a hike to Stonehenge with the option to climb Lazy Mountain. I was dragging a bit at first because I was tired from yesterday's 8.5 mile hike. But all 5 of us plus Bella my dog, made it comfortably to Stonehenge for a much needed break. It was very windy but not terribly cold. We all had to shed at least one layer due to the steepness of the climb. Jo and Isabelle decided to go back down after our snack break. But Judith, Jane and I continued to the top. Bella of course was the leader. Bella ran up the rocks to the actual summit so I followed her for a summit picture. Matanuska Peak was obscured in clouds when we got to the top so I didn't get the spectacular photo I had hoped for. But I did get one later on our descent. Jane and Judith stopped at the flag and took their pictures. I carried Bella up to the flag for my own photo but just as Jane snapped the picture, Bella ran straight down the rock face escaping the photo. I was shocked that she was able to do that. It's definitely a high angle rock climb even though it's very short. This method of climbing Lazy Mountain is longer than the regular route, but it is definitely a nicer trail. It's 6 miles round trip total. We found very little mud and only a few sections of snow. We never needed spikes and easily avoided the snow patches. 

Bella on the actual summit

Cloudy view of Matanuska Peak from the summit