Settlers Bay Coastal Trail

 I took a 3 mile walk along the Settlers Bay Coastal Trail today with Bella. It was a combination of ice and slushy snow. Spikes were essential on my boots to negotiate the ice. It has been so unseasonably warm that most of the snow has melted everywhere, then turned to ice overnight. We really need some snow around here. Skeetawk Ski Area was supposed to open this weekend, but even that is now on hold, waiting for more snow. I love these interesting bare trees along this trail. They are young cottonwood trees. They have such an interesting shape with only branches on the very top. We did encounter one fairly disinterested cow moose. But otherwise, we had the icy trail all to ourselves.

Long Lake Loop

The weather has been terrible for most of the last couple of weeks. Lots of rain then freezing at night, bringing lots of ice. Today I walked 4.5 miles with my friend Pam and our 2 dogs around the Long Lake Loop at the Matanuska Lake Trail system.  The trail was totally ice, but with micro spikes I managed to remain upright. Pam didn't wear spikes, took her chances, but did have one fall. No injuries though. With only about 4 hours of daylight it's been hard to get motivated to spend time outdoors. Most of the group hikes have been canceled. I've also been doing Ski Patrol training on a couple of Saturdays, such as a CPR class and chairlift evacuation training. Supposedly the Skeetawk Ski Area will open on December 13th. I may try to patrol up there one of the weekend days.

It was icy today but still rather pleasant because the temperature was warm for this time of year. The views of the mountains was beautiful as always.