Following The Dream

The following rainbow seems to end right at a gold mine.
Kelly-Willow Prospect gold mine.

I have my usual Wed. and Thur. days off. Today doesn’t look to be a very nice day, just very overcast. Tomorrow looks to be quite a bit nicer for a hike. I’ll most likely just kick around the house today, but we’ll see.

From the top on Bullion Mountain, looking along one of the ridges, a very rocky and rugged one.

Path along/around the bowl

Looking up. These rocks were huge and looked like they could start rolling down at any time.

Almost back down. My Jeep is at the end of the road, just visible.

In Black & White

Eli. Again

Marmot trying to hide on a rock

Turned out to be a wonderful day weather wise, though I didn’t get to see much of it due to work.

So, with a lack of anything else going on, here are some more photos from the other day.

Kelly-Willow Gold Mine.

Willow Ptarmigan - Summer Colors

Finally I caught Grizwald standing still.

And, another of Eli.

’til next time
Laters
Ed

Black & White of Knik River with Chugach Mountains from atop Bullion Mountain.

Craigie Creak Valley

Hatcher Pass from Bullion Mountain

And. a butterfly.

The day was perfect for a long hike, mostly sunny skies and visibility almost endless. Drove up to Hatcher Pass then over to Willow Creek Valley where I started the climb up. This time, unlike last when it was foggy as all get-out, I could see the whole ridge from where I parked. It took me about an hour to make the switch-back climb up to about 5000 FT. Once on top, wow, and wow is just about all I can say. If only my photos could portray what I could really see. The photos just don’t show the awe inspiring views from atop. I had on idea that Denali could be seen so easily from there.

Denali - “The High One”

Back at Hatcher Pass - Summit Lake

The Climb

Random views

Me and the boys.

A few more photos to come, as usual.

’til next time
Laters
Ed and the Dogs

Eli.

Can you find Eli in this photo?

Keep looking. don’t forget to click the image to get the larger view.

Have you found him yet?

Remember, he’s brown and yes, he is on that hill, more like a mountain.

OK, can’t find him?

He he is.

Yes, he was chasing Marmots up the mountain side. Soon as I called, he can running.

We had a few rolling thunder claps this evening, was nice to hear thunder again. I do miss good strong storms, may they be in summer or winter.

Tundra Bumps.

Pink Pyrola - Arctic Wintergreen

Unknown

I don’t really have much to say, been working odd hours, the 11am - 8 pm shift. Can’t get much done or do much working that shift, kind of sucks. But, I’m working at 7am the next two days and at 6am Tuesday. Those are the shifts I really like, early ones. Then two days off.

So anyway, like I said, not much to say, so here are some more photos from the other day.

Star Gentian

A few more of the Chinook and the other copter that flew through Hatcher Pass.

’til next time
Laters
Ed

Posting a few more photos from yesterday.

Views from the plateau I was hiking about.

Hatcher Pass Proper.and Eli. He likes having his photo taken.

Harebell

Brook Saxifrage

So I woke up around 5am today, thought of getting out of bed and going for an early hike, it didn’t go that way, I fell back to sleep. After napping for about another hour or so I finally crawled out of bed, got some coffee, showered, packed a couple thing and headed out for a hike with the dogs.

We headed out and up to the Hatcher Pass area then into Archangel Valley. Was really pretty with the sun, ya know, haven’t seen it in some time now. I thought I was early enough to beat most people, how wrong I was. Every turn-off, every parking spot, even along the road to the point of almost blocking the road, was filled with people picking berries. So, we drove up, turned around and headed to the other side, Willow side, of Hatcher Pass knowing that most people stop at the summit and don’t go much further. I was right.

Parked the Jeep and headed up a ridge that has a small pond on it. We walked for only a few miles on the lumpy tundra, stopping often for a sit and to take it all in.

Just filtered through close to 400 photos and weaned them down to 82 keepers. Now to go through those.

Here are a couple.

View from Archangel Rd. looking up the valley where the Little Susitna River starts, Mint Glacier.

Hiked up to that lump with the pond to it’s right, then hiked on to the small group of tree you can see just peeking up. Alaska Range in the far distance.

Hatcher Pass Lodge

As I was on my way back I heard this very loud helicopter. I looked around, up mainly, but didn’t see anything until this Chinook rose and through the valley. I was standing higher then the Chinook was flying. Very Cool!

Looks like someone is enjoying the view.