Labor Day Weekend in McCarthy; the town at the end of the Road.

This past Labor Day weekend we decided to pack up the station wagon (aka the Escape) and head for McCarthy, Alaska; a small old mining town located 60 miles down the gravel McCarthy Road.
The road ends at the Kenicott River, running off the nearby Kenicott & Root Glaciers. Locals are able to access the town by a small bridge to the south, all other traffic is by foot, bike, or paw only.
The quaint little town of McCarthy has since re-faced itself for tourists and Alaskan adventurerers alike. Mining here ended in the 1930's, leaving the area as a ghost town until it was rediscovered by travelers in the 1970's.

The nearby Kenicott Copper Mines, a landmark within the Wrangell-St.Elias National Park
Jasper and Jack had fun playing on the Root Glacier.
The following photo's were taken on the Mccarthy Road monday morning on our drive out.


The confluence of the Copper River and the Chitna River.

Pioneer Peak

This past Saturday we set out with 7 friends and 8 dogs to climb Pioneer Peak. Located at the North end of Chugach State Park, with a prominant location overlooking the Knik River/Glacier Valley to the east and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to the North. The parking lot begins at approx. 100 feet above sea level; the south summit is approx. 6300 feet above sea level; the north summit, approachable only with technical climbing gear sits at 6398 feet.

The trail is basically 12 miles round trip. 6 miles strait up, and then 6 miles strait back down, barely every allowing leg muscles to rest with level ground.
The first 4.5 miles switchbacks through grass and tree's. The last 1.5 miles moves along a rocky narrow ridge too the last couple hundred feet where you scramble to the summit.

Kurt takes a break to scope out some lines for ski season.
Jasper finds a pinacle.
The narrow ridge towards the south summit as seen from above.

Gretchen and I, pausing for quick summit shots before heading back down in a growing snowstorm.

Jasper falling asleep while waiting for a snack...
Knik Glacier seen in the background. (can you see the rainbow)

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

The 34ft Tower

As part of a recent 425th BSTB family day, Soldiers familys had the oppurtunity to try the 34ft tower. A training tool designed for young paratroopers with the objective of overcoming any fear of heights, and practice executing a "mock" aircraft door.

Gretchen show us how its done!


"LET ME DOWN!!!"
A I R B O R N E ! ! !