Snowbird Trail

 It's been raining off and on all day but wasn't completely pouring rain. I was really feeling restless after yesterday's 24 hour downpour. So I just grabbed my backpack and hiking boots and decided to drive where things looked the best. The weather didn't really look very good anywhere, but at least there was now some sunshine. All of the mountain peaks were covered with clouds. But I drove up to Hatcher Pass hoping maybe to climb above therm or at least find a short trail to hike. Up higher everything was totally fogged in. So I backtracked to Archangel Road and drove to the Reed Lakes Trailhead. That's mostly flat for a mile or two, so I figured I'd just take Bella for a nice long walk on it. We kept playing leapfrog with a large group of young hikers who would get ahead, then stop. Then I'd pass and soon they'd pass me again. Once over the wooden bridge, the trail got very wet, with large areas we needed to navigate around. Between those areas and dealing with the other hikers, I gave up and went a few feet before the bridge and hiked up the Snowbird Trail. This trail is unmarked and most people probably don't know that it even goes anywhere. I've yet to make it all the way to Snowbird Hut, but did make it to the Snowbird Glacier once with the Valley Wanderers. Today I knew I didn't have time for a long hike like that, but decided to shoot for the saddle where it levels out at some ruins of the Snowbird Mine. It's a very steep and rocky narrow trail, but I love how it gains altitude quickly and gives gorgeous views of the whole Reed Lakes Valley. It's so lush and green right now from all the recent rains, which really added to the beauty. Bella and I made it to the ruins of one of the old mine buildings, where we took a nice break and had some snacks. I was starting to feel a few raindrops so didn't linger for two long. I let Bella off her leash for the descent because it's too steep to have her pulling me over the rocks. She stayed right with me all the way back to the main trail. Then I had to put her back on the leash because that trail is pretty popular and I didn't want her running after other people and dogs. We made it back to the car before it started raining very hard. It was a very lovely and satisfying 5 mile hike.

Ruins of one of the mine buildings

Tanaina & Milo Lakes Kayak

 The weather was still pretty good so shortly after our walk to the creek, I decided to load the kayak into my car and head up to the Nancy Lake area again. I am really interested in doing the Lynx Lake Canoe Trail again. It's an 8 mile loop through a bunch of lakes with short portages between most of them. I've done it a couple times in the past, many years ago using my canoe and a paddling partner. But so far, I've had no luck talking anyone into doing it with me, either using my canoe or bringing their own boat while I use my kayak. So I have pretty much resigned myself to doing it solo. Tanaina Lake is the starting and ending point of the loop. Today I put in at the Tanaina Lake trailhead and paddled along the shortline to the first portage then carried the kayak along the short portage trail to Milo Lake. It was very easy to do with my lightweight Oru Kayak. Bella was with me, and seemed a bit confused when we walked a short distance then were suddenly back in a different lake. She kept busy barking at water lilies and a couple of kayakers we saw out on Milo Lake. It was starting to get windy and dark clouds overhead were beginning to look threatening. So rather than paddle to the next portage, I turned around and went back to Tanaina Lake. It was a good choice too, because now the wind was much stronger on that lake. I wasn't too worried, but I think Bella sensed that I was a little concerned because she kept barking at the waves and giveing me concerned looks. I had planned to stay near the shoreline, but decided to head straight across and get to the trailhead as soon as possible. I had to paddle hard to beat the wind. But it didn't take too long. Bella seemed quite relieved when I packed up and carried the kayak back to the car. Now I'm just waiting for a nice sunny calm day that looks as if it will stay that way, then I'll plan to do the whole trip alone. 

This is a map of the entire loop

Wolverine Creek

 I normally take Bella for her morning walk up and down my street, usually only 1 or 2 miles. But this morning was so nice that once we reached the main road, Wolverine Road, we just kept on walking. The lighting was beautiful on the mountains and the bright green fields of Wolverine Farm. We walked all the way to Wolverine Creek and back. I even finally figured out how to get right down next to the creek, rather than just viewing it from the concrete barricades along the bridge. Bella wanted to get down to the water, but there was still a high embankment, so I couldn't let her do that. We walked 5 miles total. It was gorgeous out there today.

Hatch Peak and April Bowl Loop

 Today was another cloudy cold boring kind of day. I didn't feel like getting the kayak out but I really didn't want to stay home either. I just got in the car and drove up to Hatcher Pass with no real destination in mind. I considered climbing Skyscraper, but the parking spot was too crowded. I just went up a little farther and parked at the April Bowl Trailhead. I figured I would just take a leisurely stroll up the April Bowl Trail for a short time, enjoying being able to keep Bella on her leash instead of screaming her name the whole way. It's a nice gentle climb with a few rock scrambles to the top of Hatch Peak. I didn't have time or desire to continue across the ridge to Government Peak again. But just for something different, I decided to continue past Hatch on the same ridge. It gets rocky and I really had no idea what I would find if I continued. Although, I'm sure it's possible to follow it and go all the way down to Summit Lake. I had tried that once before but never found a reasonable route. Off in the distance I saw a couple of young kids scrambling on the rocks. I kept them in sight and saw that they had found a way down off the ridge. I noticed what looked like it could be a trail, and just followed it down for a while. Then I saw those other two hikers way down the mountain. At that point I figured if they could find a way down, so could I. It didn't really seem like an official trail, but I could tell others had passed through there. Bella and I continued on down through the rocks and eventually, above the small lakes in April Bowl, I spotted an actual well-defined trail along a ridge above the lakes. The route I was following finally led me to that trail, which ultimately joined the April Bowl Trail and led us back to the car. I had great views of Summit Lake down below. Next time I go there, I may try to access that ridge and climb Hatch Peak from the trail around Summit Lake. I'm quite sure it's been done before.

So what was not really a planned hike at all, turned out to be really wonderful. 

Summit Lake down below

Marmot Mountain

 This morning looked like a perfect day to stay in bed, under the covers by a roaring fire. But the Valley Wanderers had planned to climb Marmot Mountain today, so I extricated myself from my bed and made it to the trailhead. It was cold and dank and the mountains were surrounded by thick layers of clouds. I kept expecting the others to decide to cancel. But, nope, we started up the trail. At first we were totally in the fog and I continued to wonder why we were doing this! One of my main reasons I like to climb, is for the amazing views when up high. Today didn't look at all promising. But as we got to the higher parts of the ridge, we were surprised with a view of the peaks of the mountains around us. On top of the ridge, we were above the clouds. It was fascinating watching the clouds roll in and out in between the peaks and ridges. This whole climb is a long a very rugged ridge, with many rock precipices that can be interesting to negotiate. I let Bella off her leash and as usual, she took off and led the whole group to the top of the peak. Madeline also brought her dog, Biscuit, who got along great with Bella. I think they are now best buddies.  I'm so glad we didn't get discouraged by the weather because it was really a spectacular hike. We didn't even get rained on!

Rabbit Slough/Palmer Slough Kayak

 Today was really fun because I almost always kayak alone. But my neighbors, John and Cheryl asked if I'd like to join them and our mutual friends, Rose and Mel for a little kayak trip at Rabbit Slough. My friend Mark came along with his little Old Town canoe. Due to the current tides, we elected to paddle upstream rather than go downstream and fight the strong current getting back. I always prefer the upstream route because I think it's a little more interesting. I'm always trying to find a route up Wasilla Creek to the Wasilla Creek Boardwalk, but as in the past, today we ended up in a passage too narrow for our boats. We could paddle forever out there among the water plants and little inlets. It was really fun to finally have some company too. Bella got hot again so I gave her a little quick dip in the water and she stopped panting after that. I'm not sure what she thinks of that process, but she seems more comfortable on hot days if she gets to cool off. It's always so beautiful and peaceful out on the water. We should get together and do this more often.

Cheryl Harkey

Bella

April Bowl to Government Peak Traverse

 This is one of my favorite hikes. We started out with a huge group of 20 Valley Wanderers. The intention was to break up into smaller groups based on our individual hiking speeds. I tend to be a bit slower, plus always start out with Bella on her leash. I tend to lag back so she doesn't tangle with the other hikers. But, Bella insists on being first and was practically pulling me off my feet. I gave up early and had to let her off her leash. She was quickly out of sight and I was forced to push as hard as I could to try to keep up with the leader of the faster group. The first part of the route is a popular trail and easy to follow, although there is a bit of rock scrambling in places. About half of the group gathered at the top of Hatch Peak, before heading down the ridge towards Government Peak. The route is only partially trail from that point to the Government Peak summit. Some had not done it before so we tried to keep keep in groups as we traversed the ridge. It seems to go on forever sometimes, small hills followed by rock pillars, followed by steep descents, then more of the same. Most of the snow was gone and the trail was nice and dry. The views in every direction are extraordinary and it's tempting to just hang out and take pictures. Bella continued to race ahead and stay with the leader. When I lost sight of her, I called her. Sometimes she would come and quite often she either didn't hear me or just didn't care! Sometimes I wasn't sure if I saw her or just a little ground squirrel on top of the rocks. I hated disturbing the peace by calling her name, to make sure she was still ahead when I lost sight of her. Someone would always assure me that she was still up there. I do wish she would stay closer to me, but she loves her freedom. At least she does always stay with the group. I was starting to get get really tired and almost dizzy at one point during a long sidehill part of the climb. I prefer staying high on the ridge for that section, but felt safer sticking with the rest of the group.We took a nice break before the final ascent to Government Peak, which really rejuvenated me. When I reached the top, Bella was there waiting for me. We had a lunch break and spent quite a while there enjoying the summit area. Bella made the rounds getting snacks from everyone's lunches. We started down in small groups. There are two ways down, the steeper Race Trail or the longer but gentler Blueberry Knoll Trail. We took Blueberry Knoll route down the ridge. I also think that's the more scenic route. Partway down the ridge, Charlie and Julia stopped for a break. I managed to get Bella to stop there too. We stayed relaxing in the sunshine long enough that Bella had no choice but to stay near me, because everyone else was out of sight. once off the tundra and into the trees, the trail is more tedious and a little slippery, but not really muddy. It seemed to take forever to complete the 7 mile traverse. The toughest part is the last couple miles down from Blueberry Knoll. Probably because by then we were all exhausted. But I love this route and I'm sure I'll do it at least one more time this summer. I managed to lose my sunglasses somewhere along the way. But at least I still had my dog when I got back to the car. I drove Charlie back up the mountain to her car that she used to drive some of us up to the start at April Bowl.

South Rolly Lake Kayak

I really wanted to get out on the water with my kayak today. It wasn't the most perfect weather day but it was mostly sunny, calm and not raining. I drove up to Nancy Lake to see if I could find an interesting place to kayak. I ended up at the end of the road and figured that since I had not put in at Rolly Lake before, maybe I should try it today. It was dead calm and not very crowded. I wasn't sure where to actually access the water, so drove through the campground. I saw the little Tippecanoe Canoe Rental place and stopped and asked. There was a nice spot right near their building. I set up the boat and Bella and I took off around the entire circumference of the lake. She did her share of barking at people and dogs in campsites then settled down for a while. She still had to have a few conversations with water lilies and people passing in kayaks in the distance. It was getting kind of hot in the sun and she was panting a lot. A couple of swimming dogs got her attention as they jumped in the water chasing whatever their owners were tossing. I decided she might be a little jealous, because she was looking pretty warm there in the sun. So I lifted her up by her life vest and gently put her in the water for a brief swim. I'm not sure whether she liked it or not, but she stopped panting for the rest of our little trip. I think she looked much more comfortable. Near the shoreline I noticed lots of tiny yellow and white dwarf water lilies. I have never seen them before. There were also some of the typical bright yellow larger ones, but the little ones were so beautiful that I took a few photos of them. As we got back to our launch spot, Bella attracted the attention of several delighted little children. They are always her biggest fans. It was a delightful little kayak excursion and I plan to come back to that area and try some of the other lakes soon.