So there is a nature center at the end of the road up the Eagle River valley. This is about 12 miles from our house and is the trailhead for a one-way hike to Girdwood (down the Turnagain Arm). This hike is 24 miles long, and we just had to go do it.
Of course the hiking descriptions mention that most people make the crossing in 2-3 days but a one day trek is
possible. Of course, we have to try it in one day.
We hiked it from Girdwood back to Eagle river. There is a few thousand feet of climbing in the first several miles to crest Crow Pass, and then (pretty much) all downhill. On the way up Crow Pass it is very dry and scree filled. The sun was coming up during this part and quite serene. The top is pretty flat and filled with small ponds. As you crest the pass, you get full frontal of Raven Glacier and then follow Raven Creek down to the confluence with the Eagle River. We were both amazed at the changing terrain - from bone dry scree fields, to open evergreen forests, young glacial moraines, head high brush (in bear country nonetheless), and very 'boggy' wetlands.
As you reach the Eagle River (just past the halfway point), you come into a huge view of the Eagle Glacier. At this point you have to ford the Eagle River. Several hundred feet wide and COLD. It is glacial melt about a mile below the glacier. We were lucky to have the water relatively low (not too much above my knee - remember I'm 6'4"). A quick dry out and bite to eat, then down the valley.
No wildlife sightings, but we were shooting for that. This is bear country so we were constantly making noise so as not to surprise them. Did see a lot of bear shit though, some pretty fresh.
On the drive up here dad remarked that one gets numb to scenery on the Alcan because its just this endless parade of amazing vistas - but a long drive nonetheless. I felt like this hike was the same. You just kept coming around corners and seeing more amazing river views, giant mountains, glaciers, etc... but Andi and I both reached our fill about the 20 mile point, so by the time we got to the car, we were ready to be done. Sore knees and beat up feet, but quite a nice day. Reccomended, maybe two days though.
Just to make sure we were not feeling too big for our britches after our big hike, we read about the guys who run this as a marathon.
Here is one account of guys running it. We felt good about 12 hours. Good people run this in three.
Also, some
photos on Shutterfly.
After camping in Oregon for a month, I felt like I really needed to get into the backcountry. Instead of the big group camp with 7 people, I took off for the Trinity Alps with just me and my backpack. The trail was relatively uncrowded and the 7 mile hike to Grizzly Lake was short and steep.
And at the top, here is the view. The waterfall at the top is nothing more than a small creek about 8 feet wide. To cross it you have to jump from one stone to another, which is not normally a big deal, but thinking about slipping and going over the side....
Chuck and I met up in Colorado for Ty and Melissa's wedding. It was a whirl wind trip for both of us. We caught up with the Mills' (Chris is in the pictures with us) and several others. The wedding was at the Cadet Chapel and reception in Doolittle Hall so there were year books and contrails being passed around. 
I was reading last night and noticed a few people standing in the road -- there was a moose and baby strutting down the road like they owned it. It was about 100 yards from house by the time I got the camera. The baby disappeared down the hill but the mom hung out by the roadside for a few minutes.
I went hiking with one of my flights today--easy hike along the river. The goal was to end up at a waterfall 4 miles from the starting point. Along the way I got a great shot of an eagle and a funny sign (can you find the misspelled word?). We did not see any bears...it was a nice easy hike with lots of mosquitos.
As you can see, our new place is a little bigger than the piece of air we bought in DC. Plus we have some amazing views out our back doors. 
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