26 Years, 26 Miles

After spending the last 5 years gainfully employed with the US Army on August 10th, I decided what a better way to celebrate this year then walking the 26 miles from Girdwood along the Seward Highway, over Crow Pass, across and then along the Eagle River, and back to my house in Eagle River.
It began with a typical Alaskan summer day, 55 degrees and misty rain.
The parking lot is at roughly 1600ft, the highest point of the trail is Crow Pass at 3500ft.
Raven Glacier is one of the first vividly seen from the trail.
Group shot with friends Kurt, Matt, Gretchen, and Ryan, along with man's best friends Labeta, Denali, Jack, and Jasper.
Birthday Boy at the pass.
Looking through the pass north towards Eagle River and several 6-7,000ft peaks.

Once off the pass, the trail drops into dense vegetation.

Fireweed beginning to bloom. It blooms from the bottom of the stem to the top. The legend goes, once the fireweed at the top blooms, the "termination dust" (snow) is soon to fall.
Looking down the gorge towards Eagle River.

The first sight of Eagle Glacier, source of the frigid Eagle River we are about to cross.
Jack and Jasper begin to look for a suitable crossing spot. Jack says, "damn this water is cold, are you freakin crazy..."

Changing into alternate footgear, to keep our hiking shoes dry.

Gretchen, Jasper, and I decide we'll lead the way by crossing first.
One of several tributary creeks to the Eagle River you have too cross.

Jasper telling us, "dogs don't do ladders..." Labeta getting a little help from Matt on the ladders. The Twin Falls

Echo Bend, almost to the end of our journey
Partyin' it up at the Eagle River Base Camp, aka 8905 Eagle Place Loop