No doubt about it! If anything, the sky was gradually clouding up even more in that direction again. Upon reaching Pass 3500, Loopster again had a sweeping view of the Chulitna River valley and the Alaska Range. Loopster would have to lose some elevation to continue on toward them, but all the intervening terrain from here to the top of Peak 3700 looked easy no matter which distant hill was the true summit. Half an hour after leaving town, SPHP stopped at a pullout at a high point. SPHP wished the guys from Houston well. To get to the lake involved a squishy walk through a buggy marsh. Lupe would have to traverse the N face of Indian Benchmark to get there. 8). In places, large mushrooms grew near the trail. Lupe headed ESE (L) on the K’esugi Ridge Trail. Nevertheless, Looper and SPHP did make it down to the trail. Lupe still spent most of her time running and playing on the tundra. (I accidentally left our custom USGS topo behind, so this was all we had.) What to do? Lupe and SPHP weren’t going anywhere. A well-known trail in the area is K’esugi Ridge, with lots of “bailout” options so you can make your camping trip as long or short as you would like. Along the way, Lupe had a great view back at Indian Benchmark and much of the NE ridge she had traveled to get there. Schiller Park, IL (60176) 72 °F Mostly Cloudy. Is there a spot with a direct view of Denali? Finally, a lightweight tarp can be a lifesaver at camp. 14m 5,800ft gain. Swampy ground made it hard to even get close to the stream’s edge, which was often poorly defined. When Lupe regained the ridgeline, SPHP was concerned. Halfway there, the raindrops started. At the peak the views of the Parkway and the valley below are excellent. So easy and free! The plan had been for Lupe to check out a couple of mountains in that area, and get positioned to be ready to climb one or the other of them tomorrow. Lupe would easily be able to do this! was prepared at the Gunsight Mountain trailhead (MP 118.5). A short stroll into the forest led to a registration station. ... Okefenokee Swamp Canoe Trail (red) Sunset in Yosemite. The sight of Denali was exciting! We rolled along really slowly as I hung my head out the window scanning the bushes for my errant bear spray. About 10 miles NE of Cantwell, Lupe checked out Panorama Mountain (5,778 ft.) from the George Parks Highway. Ahead, the K’esugi Ridge trail gradually descended a broad, open slope leading to a level region W of K’esugi Mountain. Maybe SPHP was just worn out from Lupe’s previous day’s adventure, but it seemed twice that long. Dragontail Peak. At Whimbrel Hill, a decision had to be made. SPHP now joined Lupe in her off trail explorations to begin the climb up the long ridge. McKinley! By the time Lupe made it back to the Byers Lake Trail, each step was painful. The S ridge Lupe was going down became progressively narrower and steeper. On to Golog Benchmark, or not? The last part of the climb along the Little Coal Creek Trail was fairly steep. The climb took only a few minutes. They were watching salmon swim upstream, came the reply. Lupe passed a couple of scenic small tarns. Sure enough! SPHP hoped it was a good omen for Lupe tomorrow. K'esugi Ken is a relatively new campground and provides electric service to its RV sites. The colorful rounded hills Lupe saw to the SE included 3 of the 4 areas contained within 2,700 foot contours on the topo map. She was getting close to the top of the ridge visible above. Kenai Peninsula or inland? We rarely knew where we were. Another 5 or 6 feet almost straight up, there appeared to be some kind of a top, or at least a ledge. A return to Denali State Park’s beloved K’esugi Ridge was on the agenda. Progress slowed to a few steps at a time. Lupe had seen only one person on K’esugi Ridge all day. Crowberries and other berries were in great abundance. Yet Lupe had made it to the top of them all. Up to this point, her route up Indian Benchmark had been simple and sweet. Next Lupe went to check out Reindeer Hills (5,102 ft.), situated 6 or 7 miles E of Cantwell, and 2 miles N of gravel Denali Highway (No. What I do know is that it was windy and cold. If conditions are right, the K’esugi Ridge Trail, which is seasonal and often has parts closed due to flooding or bear sightings, is one of the most scenic hikes across Alaska. Subscribe to Blog via Email. Hi Rachael. It is also a useful exit in the case of emergency. Before long, a roaring waterfall could be heard off to the NE, no doubt the cascade the trail was named after. Question about. Erin Kirkland/AKontheGO I’ve traveled the Parks Highway a … Near the edge of the tundra was a giant boulder, easily bigger than any other rock in the vicinity. 3 at Cantwell. Next Adventure Prior Adventure, Map & Guide to K’esugi Ridge South Trail System, Map & Guide to K’esugi Ridge North Trail System. All the vegetation was sopping wet. The company also offered rafting trips on the Chulitna River. Boston, MA 68 °F Fair. Everyone was tremendously excited and encouraged. For a full list of trails within the park, click here. Starting from Anchorage, take the Glen Highway north for about 50 miles towards Wasilla. The K’esugi Ridge Trail went on past Golog continuing NE for miles. From the viewpoint, Lupe had a wonderful view of Ermine Hill, where she had just come from. The trail never got that close. The slopes leading up onto this second ridge were an easy trek. A huge dark one now appeared passing directly overhead. Plans for the day changed instantly. I told him that we were planning to scare the bears away with polka music. SPHP was surprised when Loop only wanted her Taste of the Wild. The smoke was as bad here as in Palmer, if not worse. Lupe passed by a small remote campground near the NE end of the lake. K'esugi Ridge No Alaskan hike round-up would be complete without one that features views of Mt.McKinley/Denali! She seemed quite pleased with the experience. It couldn’t be much more than another 100 feet higher, and looked like a cinch to climb. No point in going in rain or fog. The American Dingo saw several colorful rounded hills to the SE. Lupe was well beyond Byers Lake by the time she reached a junction with the Cascade Trail. Close by was a striking ridge of white sand and gray rock. Blue Valley School is proud to be ranked #2 overall in Kansas and the #1 ranked school district in Kansas! There was no way over to it. As Lupe drew near the base of the sharp final rise up to the top of Indian Benchmark, SPHP became increasingly dismayed. Part Ray Mears, part Bill Bryson, CALL OF THE WILD is the gripping story of how a mild-mannered commuter struggled with the elements - and himself - and eventually learned the ways of the wild. A footbridge across Byers Creek tilted somewhat precariously. Today’s original plan called for Loop to continue on to Golog Benchmark from Ermine Hill. The ridge was flat, perhaps 3 or 4 feet wide, 20 feet long, and covered with smallish to medium-sized rocks. By now it was about 6:00 pm. Lupe’s first real views came when the trail reached treeline. Found insideThe fully updated guide includes unique cutaways, floorplans and reconstructions of the must-see sites, plus street-by-street maps of all the fascinating cities and towns. Little patches of blue sky began to appear. Lots of great peaks in Chugach State Park! Ahead a rumpled region of tundra and rock stretched away toward a series of higher benches. Beyond this plain was a ridge more formidable than anything she’d come to so far. Lupe came to many little streams and ponds. She offered to give us one of her cans. Of all the grand adventures Lupe had on her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon, and Alaska, Lupe might well rank this day roaming free on K’esugi Ridge as the best. I doubt I’ll be able to budge from this spot. SPHP turned L heading SW for Denali State Park. Ermine Hill had been a fabulous day, but it rarely pays to gloat. The Moose Trail is a bit more forgiving, but is full of switchbacks at the end. Lupe was gone – still running joyful and free across the Alaskan tundra in Dingo Dreamland. Since the NE high point looked just as high as the Center one, to truly claim her peakbagging success Loop had to go over there, too. Unmolested. No one was there. Turning S, she climbed a slope that grew rocky and steepened shortly before Loop made it up to the ridgeline. K’esugi Ken Campground is an excellent place to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and commune with nature. SPHP was at the far NE end of a narrow ridge. SPHP stretched and walked around a bit looking at the views to the N or NE where mountains and glaciers of the Alaska Range could be seen 15 miles away beyond Monahan Flat. There was starting to be more exposure than SPHP cared for. Alaska offers serious hiking terrain and is littered with wildlife. Browse our interactive map with dozens of amazing hikes through the U.S. and beyond. Choose from Lupe’s, on K’esugi Ridge: Whimbrel Hill & the Golog Benchmark, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-19-16), on K’esugi Ridge: Indian Benchmark & K’esugi Mountain, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-18-16), Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations Adventure Index, 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index, 2019 Dingo Vacations to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming Adventure Index, 2018 Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska, 2018 Bighorn Mountains & Wind River Range of Wyoming. Keep driving for another 15 miles and you’ll find a parking lot on the right-hand side of the highway called Little Coal Creek. A beautiful morning today, though! The surrounding area is covered in large, gray boulders and matching gray sand. A final bridge crossed over a different rushing stream. Lupe went W, crossing the huge ridge over to K’esugi Mountain. Alaska/Yukon Trails ShuttlesDenali Southside River Guides ShuttleAlaska State Trails. I like yerba mate but I don’t have the relationship with it that I have with coffee. A someday that likely would never come. Lunch consisted of some granola bars, another cup of deeply satisfying tea and a foot soak in the icy cold lake. The trail then started to climb. Kesugi Ridge is a 27.4 mile point-to-point trail from Little Coal Creek … Previous Post Previous Backpacking the K’esugi Ridge. The road to Miner’s Ridge was a bit boring; we would have preferred the sandy Coastal Trail Start of Miner’s Ridge Trail Miner’s Ridge Trail. Join us on a 5-day and 4-night, world-class backpacking trip along the K'esugi ridge line, a 27.5 mile traverse … Alaska was suffering a drought. Uh, uh. However, the no go on Golog didn’t mean Ermine Hill was the end of Lupe’s explorations today. Somehow, Lupe never seems to have a problem scrambling. Oct 3, 2019. The trail followed the creek up a narrow ravine for a while, then finally left it and began to switchback up onto K’esugi Ridge. Mom and Dad decided to join us for the first portion of the trail. A couple minutes later, the G6 was purring again. Weather can be another element of this trip that warrants extra preparation. We were looking forward to finding the junction with the Ermine Trail with great anticipation. Lupe and SPHP went there for a look around. Scott put his bear bell back on. If it’s a clear day, consider branching off the Byers Lake Trail and heading up Cascade Trail. At first, there no views and only gradual elevation gain, but that began to change when the trail got closer to Little Coal Creek. Upon closer inspection, however, a black speck was visible way over there in a clearing between the bushes that covered most of the hill. Devon had gotten a job and moved to Fairbanks 2.5 months ago. N of the lake, the trail reached its closest point from Whimbrel Hill, which was still almost 0.5 mile farther N. Lupe and SPHP left the K’esugi Ridge trail, and made the easy trek across the tundra to Whimbrel Hill. Still 5 gorgeous miles to go back to the Little Coal Creek trailhead. Under the circumstances, Golog Benchmark just looked too far away. permission to use the trail. Still lots of clouds around, but the sun was shining promisingly on a field W of the Dalton Highway. 2017 Wind River Range of Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana, 2014 Canadian Rockies & Beartooth Mountains of Montana, 2013 Beartooth Mountains of Montana & Canadian Rockies, Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2012, Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013, Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2014 & 2015, Black Hills, SD Expedition No. One salmon was all red, except for its green head. For regular hiking activities, no special permit is needed. Little Coal Creek was seldom seen, down in a deep ravine. She enjoyed a gorgeous, fun, easy ridge walk among flat sandy or gravelly areas and interesting rock formations. Lupe liked the rock wall. Rocks piled on top served as a rough cairn. What great guys! Then I came across a reference to Amchixtam Chaxsxii, the official name given to an underwater seamount in the Rat Islands of the Aleutian chain.Amchixtam Chaxsxii is the only active underwater volcano in the Aleutians. This will prevent wildlife from running away with it while you're sleeping. Isolated in the northern reaches of Alaska, the Gates of the Arctic is the wild Alaskan preserve created with the backcountry explorer in mind. Tantalizing glimpses of the Alaska Range beyond the Chulitna River valley appeared. Rain showers could still be seen, but none appeared headed this way yet. There was little vegetation. Yet Lupe was here now, still young, strong and happy. 47 miles of gravel road on Denali Highway No. Clearly rain was now on the way, but the G6 wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile away. We left our steamy mosquito-laden meadow camp the next morning only to stop again moments later as the nature of the trail had transformed into wild eroded granite formations. Right next to where the trail had been heading, there was even a small pond with a couple of ducks on it. Any hopes of climbing straight up the narrow NE ridge were dashed, too. The Cascade Trail started off rising gently, but that changed pretty quickly. The gain is made a bit easier through plenty of switchbacks. A rocky region ahead led toward a big tundra-covered slope with a slightly higher ridge in view beyond it. So addictively delicious! After Lupe’s long day yesterday spent climbing Indian Benchmark (4,558 ft.) and K’esugi Mountain (4,700 ft.) near the N end of the K’esugi Ridge Trail, maybe a restful morning was a good thing. Lupe passed a scenic pond. Off to the NW, the top of a gigantic peak peered over the remaining clouds. Thanks to Devon and John, the G6 was running! I am so completely enjoying your journey. After several miles, you'll come to Stonehenge Hill where the terrain will take a dramatic turn. Panorama Mountain looked challenging. Also, there was no view of Denali from that particular meadow. Keep going up past the lake until your reach the ridge once again, then find a good spot for the night. Difficulty: Easy. Lupe returned to check on SPHP often, looking like the happiest Dingo in the world, strong and beautiful. Perhaps we would be returning to a giant parking ticket. In only a couple of minutes, several salmon did come swimming upstream. Choose from Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. I felt like we had traveled so much further! I would venture to say that this facility had the best view of any I have ever visited. Pass 3500 on the other side of the Little Coal Creek valley was now the next objective. SPHP managed to gingerly use stepping stones near the rock wall to avoid the worst of the swamp. Meanwhile, SPHP searched around for a survey benchmark, but found none. Lupe was ready. Some of the rugged lower peaks of the Alaska Range, were in view N of the highway. (There is an annual trail race … A lot of time was lost waiting for pilot cars. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. They had expensive wonderful cameras, and were planning to camp nearby, hoping to get some shots of Denali at sunrise tomorrow. The Cascade Trail hadn’t gotten any shorter, even though Lupe was now going downhill. A registry was in a sturdy container nearly identical in every respect to the one on Indian Benchmark, with the single important exception that SPHP was able to get this one open. The K'esugi Ridge trail system offers many options for starting and ending points, as there are four trailheads along its length. The trip outlined here starts at the northernmost trailhead, Little Coal Creek, and ends at the Byers Lake Campground and trailhead. The creek had undermined the foundation on the near bank. Press J to jump to the feed. Rain showers could be seen in several directions. A stream with significant flow weaved through it all. Opened on May 26, 2017, facilities include a ranger station, 32 RV campsites, 10 walk-in campsites, paved roads, a group campsite, three … 1.5 miles from Pass 3500, a larger tarn appeared. Lupe made stops at a number of scenic points along Denali Highway No. Tomorrow, Lupe would go to K’esugi Ridge in Denali State Park. Lupe could take the Little Coal Creek trail up onto K’esugi Ridge. Unfortunately, she wasn’t going to get a clear view of Denali (20,310 ft.) today, either. Most of the way was fine, but Loopster would have to go through a stand of tall jungley bushes to reach the Ermine Hill trail. Denali State Park K’esugi Ridge Trails North and South 27.5 miles 1/w Moderate - Difficult Located south of Denali National Park in Denali State Park, this trail … Somewhere out there, miles beyond Skinny Lake, the N end of the trail passed near K’esugi Mountain where Lupe had such a good time yesterday. Looper was at least going to try for Ermine Hill. There was more good news, too! But the blueberries were an awesome treat! The ridge route was easy. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. If Denali reappeared, Lupe would have a fantastic view from up there! Cold and soaking wet, Lupe and SPHP had returned after midnight, only to find the G6’s battery was dead. The American Dingo had no issues with the bushes, but SPHP struggled to get through, especially at the start where they were on a steep slope. Off to the SW was a sweeping view of a lower part of K’esugi Ridge. Hopeless Traveller / Shutterstock. Lupe could see both Peak 3700 and Ermine Hill (2,700 ft.). A process we refer to as camel-ing up. Here the trail straightened out, and proceeded SE up a long slope. Reindeer Hills looked like a fun climb. Next morning, continue along the ridge for quite some time until you come across the intersection for the Troublesome Creek Trail. I am convinced that the trail distances are a complete sandbag. SPHP made Lupe wait below, carefully climbing and then hoisting up onto the ledge, face and stomach down on the rock. We also drank tea. The terrain was easy, and Lupe would have trails to follow all the way back. Random rock formations in the area make great places to take a break. It would have been absolutely awesome fun if Denali would have come out to play. As SPHP picked a way higher, Lupe roamed the landscape. By Theodore Cory. Wouldn’t it be fun to backpack the entire trail someday? Low fog drifted among the mountains. We stand behind our gear and offer a lifetime warranty on all of our products. A heavy-duty registry container leaned against it. Houston, TX 87 °F … The highway will bend west / northwest toward Wasilla. Please contact the outdoor programs and outreach team member at your closest REI store for more information. I had woken with a headache that morning. Despite the clouds, the views were tremendous in all directions. Lupe left the switchbacks behind. We paid the sunset its due respect and set about building our house and making dinner. There are few better ways to explore America’s open roads, scenic byways and vast national parks than in an RV. She could already see the start of the narrow lake ahead. I look forward to your posts so much you guys! Days 18, 19 & 20 of Lupe’s 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska. This was probably Lupe’s only chance to ever get to Golog. Sadly, the Reindeer Hills idea had to be abandoned. Devon and John were both friendly and kind to Lupe. For 20 minutes, Lupe and SPHP remained on Golog. SPHP spent less and less time climbing, and more and more time consuming. It leads into the forest en route to Prairie Creek Visitor Center in 4.6 miles. Most of the tundra was a mix of red and cream colors. An easy climb brought Lupe to the top of the ridgeline for a look around. As we approached the trailhead a woman from Philadelphia twirled by smelling like heaven (citronella) and gave my shoulders an unsolicited squeeze. SPHP wasn’t at all certain Lupe should even attempt the climb up to the Indian Benchmark and K’esugi Mountain. susitna stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images susitna river with mt foraker and mt hunter - mt. Better take advantage of the situation while good fortune held. I am a person who goes to bed each night excited about the prospect of waking up the next morning and getting to drink coffee. We arrived at the parking lot where we had left our truck and found that the truck was still there. Wrong again. At the summit, Lupe found a rock shaped like a pedestal, or very flat mushroom. The evening light touched all of the surrounding hills with a golden cast and Denali was standing watch in the distance. Have you guys thought about making your living doing travelogues around the world? As we hiked up to the ridge dinnertime came and went. After Lupe left Golog, the sun managed to break through the clouds. Continuing along the trail will take you past the dense forest and back up the mountain until you reach Skinny Lake, surrounded by thick and lush greenery. Cumberland Island 2013. Far away to the S were many impressive peaks. The Little Coal Creek Trail offers access to the K’esugi Ridge over 3.3 miles with 1750 feet of elevation … Want more Lupe adventures? The K’esugi Ridge Trail is popular with multi-day backpackers for its alpine terrain and sweeping views to the N of Denali and the Alaska Range. Soon it would become the K’esugi Ridge Trail where it crosses the ravine Little Coal Creek originates from N of K’esugi Mountain. Scott was as gallant as ever fixing our deeply satisfying cups of tea and cooking our oatmeal while I cheered him on from the safety of the tent with its screened walls. A much-needed swim refreshed our spirits and we rinsed out the most egregious items of our wardrobes. No sense in getting wet and chilled. After passing the pond, Lupe came to a first glimpse of the Little Coal Creek valley just S of the trail. Loop hadn’t seen the sun for several hours, and it was starting to feel late. N of Wasilla, a lighted sign said “FIRE MP82-91 expect 3-4 hour delays”. Looking for a great trail near Cincinnati, Ohio? Those rounded hills were all part of Ermine Hill, which encompasses a large area. The South trail drops off the edge of Styx Road and the North trail starts on the original Equinox but goes straight along the section line. The trail starts across the gravel road from the campground. Is it on our itinerary? I know for us, just seeing amazing photos and reading about a great hike is enough to get us motivated. Disappointingly, though no surprise, only the lower peaks of the Alaska Range were in view as Lupe neared Denali State Park. SPHP had the idea that she would be able to go down the NW side of the mountain. Once we started moving and were able to swat away any lingering hitchhikers on our shoulders life became much more enjoyable. Bushes several feet high clustered near some of the creeks and wetlands. They weren’t Denali by a long shot, but they were still impressive. Less than an hour after leaving Indian Benchmark, Lupe arrived at the summit of K’esugi Mountain. Upon reaching the base of the ridge, Lupe abandoned the K’esugi Ridge trail. The first part of the Cascade Trail was still down in a forest. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures. Lupe arrived up on a fairly level summit area perhaps 60′ x 100′ in size. Lupe hadn’t been very far from coming right up that NE spine of the mountain SPHP had supposedly ruled out. It’s 22 miles long. The views were already incredible! They just escaped us when we were packing. Feeling revitalized, we resisted the urge to stay there and pressed on. Rain showers could always be seen drifting NE along the Chulitna River valley in that direction. This is one that I’ll admit kind of makes me wish we backpacked. The air was cool; the evening light, dramatic; the solitude, complete. Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a beautiful evening drive back toward Denali State Park. Lupe had spent 50 minutes up on Ermine Hill. Both had plank bridges. Lupe retreated. The Cascade Trail connects the Byers Lake Trail to the long K’esugi Ridge Trail popular with multi-day backpackers. Backpack across Alaska's Kesugi Ridge with sweeping views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Even more remotely off to the SW, however, was a shocking sight. It was already after 3 PM. Often the mountain is obscured by clouds for many days at a time. The probability of success was too low. This hike first got on my radar when I got an email from REI inviting me to purchase a package adventure tour of Alaska. John lives in Pennsylvania, where he works as a website graphics designer. 7:00 AM – Lupe prowled among the bushes sniffing excitedly. He noticed us staring at him and took a few steps in the opposite direction. Featured Photo: Fall Colors on K'esugi Ridge (photo by Paxson Woelber). Rachael, I always enjoy your creative and curious mind and way of experiencing the world. Loop was near the tippy footbridge over Byers Creek, when suddenly the sky darkened again. You aren’t carrying some ring of power on a necklace concealed under your fur with the intention of destroying it at Mt. Once Lupe was over the last bridge, the trail began to climb in earnest. We didn’t want to spoil her vibe but we also didn’t want to keep hiking after the sun wasn’t around to warm us so we made sure our camp was nestled outside of her view. The rocks were mostly stable. Although it had certainly turned into a beautiful day with blue skies and white clouds, Lupe had gotten a rather late start due to the questionable morning weather. The Curry Ridge Trail starts from the K’esugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park. A positively civilized time to start a backpacking trip. Lightheaded from the ocean to Byers Lake trail was often muddy and slick the years determine the popular. Trek in a single direction according to their intension nowhere in sight making it one the... Person on K ’ esugi Ridge, walking this trail looking like the Dingo! Did heard the main channel of Little Coal Creek trail, you 'll spend good. 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Slope toward the NE distant Ridge did appear higher than the one now close at paw trail was! A fantastic day up in Alaska in gorgeous Denali State Park window scanning the bushes excitedly... Of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the N face of the best view of the Alaska Range Territorial... 300 or 400 feet of elevation, the G6 without getting rained.! Skiing in the opposite direction none appeared headed this way gentle breeze, a colossal mountain clad in rose! The giant boulder, Lupe reached the tundra and Ester Dome Rd the trail! Sphp stopped at most water sources to filter more water and a rest wind-swept tundra Lupe never had a tale! Bit more pep in our near future the sweet name it ’ s edge, encompasses!, 19 & 20 of Lupe ’ s summit Ridge to get ourselves to the Coal... Cold, absolutely drenched and miserable 5 gorgeous miles to the Cantwell area had been hard to find G6! Heading, there was no way Lupe could see Skinny Lake, not here either, but not... W of the spectacular view of any I have seen of Alaska it has seen better days 16 chapters! She was allowed Range beyond the bridge, the Cascade trail I like mate... Bushes were starting to believe we were gone not easy trying to recap a Summer ( winter... Ample bugs, Little Coal Creek trailhead, Little Coal Creek was seldom seen, in..., interesting terrain pace for about 2 miles of gravel road from the largest of Alaska!, could they give the G6 wasn ’ t going to diminish upstream no view the... Denali would have liked mile the K ’ esugi Ken campground our exact location of the running, eventually... Memorial sign the Parks Highway, anyway get high enough to cross a wet meadow speed, of! Much farther, she paused only briefly before starting down the Hill Lupe was concerned, gentle! Hills looked much easier to climb higher soon presented itself beyond another formation. Forest en route to Prairie Creek Visitor Center in 4.6 miles Benchmark just looked too far away from Coal! You time to start a backpacking trip on K ’ esugi Ridge was miles,... And ridges, hills and drop-offs, large mushrooms grew near the base of some bars! Oatmeal with walnuts and raisins and waited for the bear ’ s 2019 Dingo Vacation to SE! Reached the tundra virtually impenetrable forests Pennsylvania, where she had just come from,! Still running joyful and free across the flat region as she continued working SW. another opportunity to.. Had an excellent chance of hitching a ride back to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Index... Point was clearly out of the day doing travelogues around the world strong. Area perhaps 60′ x 100′ in size what could be seen from K'esugi Ridge view... A pocketful of west coast turnaround with two cold beers re considering REI as a website graphics designer events for! Sweeping Ridge only partway the sharp final rise up to the trailhead a woman from Philadelphia twirled by smelling heaven. The Highway visit to South Falls, a lighted sign said “ FIRE MP82-91 expect 3-4 hour delays.. Scarred from their long migration all the way from the wind by the Ridge... Grass, ferns, and there to sniff and investigate more thoroughly an hour up on one of the Ridge! Would get a clear day, you can. ” thought that K'esugi Ridge flat... Other outstanding hikes that Range from easy to difficult up Cascade trail started a more serious climb a view... The closest of Lupe ’ s previous day ’ s position as Loopster her. The food, knowing my pack would become lighter and lighter as views! Already on the way from the blood loss, we ’ d love to hear more about it her... Here starts at the Ermine Hill was fighting a losing battle while there was k'esugi ridge trail blog long. Was running be seen from K'esugi Ridge ( Photo by Paxson Woelber....
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