Eska Falls Hike

 I have wanted to hike to Eska Falls for a long time but wasn't sure the best way to access the trail. I've heard you need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trailhead and that it can be hard to find. Today the Walkabouts hiking group were planning to go there, but only part way because of the long length of the hike. I figured at least I could see how to get there. We just parked at the end of the paved road and walked 1.5 miles along the extremely rough ATV trail to the hiking trail. There were signs pointing to the hiking trail, which were very helpful. I learned that you will find it if you always take the fork to the left off the ATV trail as well. Once on that trail it was quite nice for the next 3 miles. There is obviously quite the potential for significant mud in many places. But not for us today because it was only at most 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It was chilly but that made the trail lovely. Since the leaves are all gone from the trees, it did have the somewhat bleak dry brown look of late fall. But that also made it easier to see the mountains through the empty trees branches. The trail is a steady climb, but mostly a gentle one. I never felt I was working very hard. The hiking trail stops on top of a flat ridge where the falls comes into view in the distance. At this point the 3 ladies who had come from Anchorage decided it was time for them to turn back. Pam and I had driven up from the Sutton General Store in my car, and we both wanted to continue to the falls. So we and our 2 dogs continued along the rough ATV trail that works its way another 1.5 miles to the base of the falls. It was rocky with some short steep sections, but not difficult to find. Bella ran ahead and usually found the best and quickest route. We reached the falls and enjoyed the amazing view and the loud rush of water still plunging from the top. Much of the falls was already frozen along with large portions of the pond and creek at the base. I didn't like either of our dogs venturing out onto that ice, although they both did give it a try. We called them back and took a nice snack break before starting our own trek back. There has been a lot of blowing dust lately and it was giving Pam some breathing trouble, so she was not able to move very quickly on the trek back. She tripped on the loose rocks in a couple of places, but only sustained a few minor bruises, we suspect. The sun was still high when we started back but we were a little concerned about reaching my car before 6:30, the official sunset. We arrived at 6:15 with enough time to spare. It doesn't really get dark for at least another hour, so we were not in any danger of getting into night conditions. It was a long 12 mile hike but were were both so happy that we reached the final destination and didn't turn back with the others.