In a Van...Down by the River....

Ok, we rolled down in a truck and camped, but it was by a river, specifically the Gulkana. Here's what I got...

5/17/2008

Headed down toward Glenallen to do some plots in the region. This is basically my first trip down the Alaskan "highway" system. The views were phenomenal from just about anywhere we turned. We stopped about 15 miles north of Delta Junction to stretch our legs and for me to get a good shot of the Alaskan Range above the Tanana Flood Plain. Push comes to shove, the starter in the truck burns out. We had to push start the old bugger and get her going (thank god it's a stick), and head to the NAPA in Delta Junction. We got the starter, headed out to the UAF Farm (UAF's Ag and Forestry research stations around the state) and Tom and I wrestled to get it changed before we could finish the trip down to Glenallen area and set up camp.

One thing that stuck out was the sheer amount of wildlife we saw on the trip down. Everything from moose to hares. I think the final tally was a cow moose, two caribou, three woodland bison, two porcupine and numerous hares all just along the road. Oh, and a grizzly cub (minor detail). The Bison were off the road just south of Black Rapids Glacier and it was fascinating to see them in the wild, free roaming.

It strikes me speechless how beautiful the scenery is around here. Be it the Alaska, Chugatch, or Wrangel-St. Elias there is always a mountain range in view. It gives a whole new perspective on the 46 high peaks in the park. Since Marcy is 1/4 the size of Denali (Mt. McKinley for those who don't know they changed the name back) its a bit of a different class up here. Until later,

~SPH