What better way to close out the month of March than with a 22 mile ski through the Chugach Mountains.
Sunday morning we left our vehicles at the Arctic Valley trailhead and made our way down the mountain to the valley floor. The trail was very beaten and sun crusted, making it hard on skinny cross country ski's.
After about a 20 minute walk down we slipped on ski's and took off, a pack of 18 total.
Beautiful Temptation Peak with Ship Creek running out of the valley.
This is probably one of the last weekends the traverse is even possible due to warmer day temperatures and melting snow bridges.
After Temptation Peak, gorgeous Tanaina and Koktoyo Peaks were overlooking the trail.
The trail finally starts to open up in nice long rolling sections for several miles.
The only downside to long wide open flat sections of the trail was a nice chilly breeze coming off Turnagain Arm through Indian Pass.
Amazing rainbow orb around the sun over Avalanche Mountain, with The Ramp & The Wedge off to the right (see earlier post from summer 2008).
Approaching Bird Ridge, Bird Peak, and Bird Ridge Overlook handrailing the left hand side of the trail.
Indian house Mountain.
Finally, we saw the ocean.
Dicey 5 mile ski/walk/fall from Indian pass to the final trailhead. Suncrust and Ice made it interesting after 17 miles.
Where's the BEER!!!!!
Where's the BROWNIES!!!!!!!
Looking at the mountain massif just beyond Upper Summit Lake
