2018 - Alaska
I arrived in Alaska on Monday and have been getting into the office early and working late most days so I have not really had a chance to get and explore until this weekend. I stopped by the Eagle River Outdoor Center grabbed a trail map, bought a few guides and got some recommendations from the very helpful staff. It was a little chilly starting off but at about mile 2 when I was passed by a group of hikers carrying packrafts I suddenly didn't feel near as chilled. I caught up with them at Echo bend where they were inflating their kayaks and gearing up.
Back on the trail and I am maybe 100 yards upstream of the rafters and I see something out of the corner of my eye leaving the river going into the hemlocks. Even though I only got a glimpse of it before it entered the hemlocks I was pretty sure it was a bear. Sure enough it comes out of the hemlocks and is in a slow gallup right towards me. I say hey bear and it stops, stands on it's rear legs looking around. I wave so it can see me and it turns and eases off the trail away from the river. I wait a couple of minutes to give it time to clear out and then back to hiking. About a mile later I come to a nice overlook above the river.
Headed on up to my campsite at Icicle Creek. SEtup my tent, explored the area, watched two dall sheep playing on the mountain behind me. Crawled into my tent and read till I fell asleep. Early in the morning I work to rain falling on the tent. Turned my light on to check out my new tent and everything was dry so lights off and back to sleep. I wake up at daylight (9am) crawl out and the rain is starting to turn into snow.
I will try to post more photos from the trip this week. Now I am off to make chilli (canned) and dry out my gear before I pack it tonight for a trip out tomorrow (weather depending) to the Park.
