Everyone was exhausted after yesterday’s adventure, so we slept in a little later today. After everyone was awake, dressed, and fed, we headed out for the Chugach National Forest, which was only about 40 minutes south of Anchorage. Before the trip, I did some research on the wonderful site we all know as Pinterest to find some cool places that we could go on our trip. I stumbled across a picture of a hand tram that was a hand powered tram that hikers used to cross a river. I didn’t think we would be close enough to the trailhead to make a hike worthwhile, but luckily we were close!
The trailhead was located at the Alyeska Resort, which is a very popular ski resort during the winter. The hike in was 2.5 miles before the trailhead, and the trail was beautiful! It was very well maintained and the trail was often a boardwalk through the wetlands. The trail followed along the Iditarod Dog Race Historical Trail. The trail we followed is not currently used during the races, but it was used at one point. The trails we walked on also double as cross country skiing trails during the winter.
The hike in was quite steep at some points, but we all made it to the tram! In the picture I saw on Pinterest, it didn’t quite show how high the tram was above the river below, so it was definitely more exciting to see it in person! We all went across, two at a time, and it was quite the workout to get the tram all the way across the river.
On the drive back to the campground, we pulled over at a pullout on the edge of the lake. Across the street, right in the face of the mountain was a pipe wil fresh, clear, glacier water pouring out of it. Locals lined up to fill their five- gallon cartons with the water and loaded it back up into their cars. Curious, we each filled up our water bottles and took it back to the RV. The water was refreshing and clean (and nobody got sick), so I can see why the locals use it!
I feel like I have lapsed into summary during my past few blogs posts, so for this post, I though I would share a few things that I have learned on this trip so far:
1. my brother enjoys wandering off from the group into the woods, so he has assumed the title of “bear bait”
1. my brother enjoys wandering off from the group into the woods, so he has assumed the title of “bear bait”
2. it’s hard getting used to sleeping in broad daylight, even if it is midnight
3. no matter how many pictures we have of bears- no amount is too many
4. long car rides are better spent trying to get people to wave back at you
5. …. Not many people wave back
6. despite popular belief, I have not seen one totem pole in Alaska
7. my mom loves taking group selfies… during any occasion possible
8. singing loudly and out of tune proves to be good bear repellant... who needs bear spray?
9. we are currently 4,800 miles from home and loving every minute of it
3. no matter how many pictures we have of bears- no amount is too many
4. long car rides are better spent trying to get people to wave back at you
5. …. Not many people wave back
6. despite popular belief, I have not seen one totem pole in Alaska
7. my mom loves taking group selfies… during any occasion possible
8. singing loudly and out of tune proves to be good bear repellant... who needs bear spray?
9. we are currently 4,800 miles from home and loving every minute of it