Pacific NW/AK/BC Pugs off to Alaska

[Philpug]

Our usual trips are in the Winter but we were told that we need to get away and not have it ski related and get a little time for ourselves. So, we thought the best thing would be to get away to Alaska and visit family.

We did start off the trip with a bit of delay, which included 2 hours on the tarmac due to the cargo hatch not closing, out of the Reno airport. The flight was supposed to leave 7:00 AM to LAX to SEA to ANC with a 5:00 PM arrival. We then were routed from RNO (leaving 2:00 PM) to SLC to SEA to ANC with a 2:00 AM arrival. When we arrived in SLC we went to Delta's Customer Service to get our flight from SLC to SEA to ANC changed to a direct from SLC to ANC leaving 10:00 PM and arriving 1:50 AM. Oooooof. At dinner we told our story to a Delta employee who invited is to the Delta Sky Lounge to spend out time...which took much of the sting out.

 

[Philpug]

Out first day on the ground we decided to take a day trip up to Hatcher Pass to see Alaska's newest creatively spelled, ski area Skeetawk and Independence Mine (next post).

According to the people who run Skeetawk, it stands for Slide Down Hill.

If Skeetawk's capacity is maxed out, it woudl be a couple of thousand acres making it one of the largest ski area's in the Unitet States.

Skeetawk:

@P-Ute tagged the gate a few years back.

 

[Philpug]

Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass:

 

[Philpug]

Next it was off to Denali National Park (with a slight detour through Talkeetna). The weather to this point has not really been cooperating with overcast rain and limited visability We were fortunate enough to get a special ticket to travel an additional 15 miles into the park with the hopes of seeing large fury creatures but unfortunately we were skunked to the point we didn't even see a skunk. The only things we did get a glimpse of were some doll sheep on a far ridge. I guess this was akin to planning on going skiing on a heli trip and not getting up in the air.

We did get to play with /partner plugs/ our new LEKI collapsable hiking poles and Kulkea OTRmost back pack.

Bear track that was bigger than my head.

 

[Philpug]

View from the back yard...


an eagle

 

[Tricia]

Phil told me to add to this but he pretty much summed up the trip so far.
I will post this picture of what we've seen of Denali so far.
Taken at the McKinley View Lodge

 

[socalgal]

Phil told me to add to this but he pretty much summed up the trip so far.
I will post this picture of what we've seen of Denali so far.
Taken at the McKinley View Lodge

View attachment 138478

 

[wooglin]

Out first day on the ground we decided to take a day trip up to Hatcher Pass to see Alaska's newest creatively spelled, ski area Skeetawk and Independence Mine (next post).

If Skeetawk's capacity is maxed out, it woudl be a couple of thousand acres making it one of the largest ski area's in the Unitet States.

Skeetawk:

Which part of not have it ski related did you miss? OTOH, tax write off!

 

[dbostedo]

Phil told me to add to this but he pretty much summed up the trip so far.
I will post this picture of what we've seen of Denali so far.
Taken at the McKinley View Lodge

View attachment 138478

I've always heard that's a pretty common view of Denali.

 

[Tricia]

I've always heard that's a pretty common view of Denali.

According to the Denali National Park Ranger we talked to, only about 32% of those who come to the park get a glimpse of Denali, and only 10% see Denali in all it's glory.
This morning, we are waking up to a view of the Chugach with a little cloud cover over the peaks. This view changes by the minute here.


The Blue circle is where we are(pretty close anyway), looking out over the inlet toward the mountain range.
I have named a few peaks for reference


This has been a very relaxing trip, which is something we didn't know we needed until we got here.

 

[socalgal]

This has been a very relaxing trip, which is something we didn't know we needed until we got here.

Good to hear you both are getting some R and R!

 

[Lauren]

Phil told me to add to this but he pretty much summed up the trip so far.
I will post this picture of what we've seen of Denali so far.
Taken at the McKinley View Lodge

View attachment 138478

Ahhh…Refreshing to see the mountain hasn’t changed much since my 2019 visit.

 

[4ster]

If Skeetawk's capacity is maxed out, it woudl be a couple of thousand acres making it one of the largest ski area's in the Unitet States.

How many thousand acres?

 

[dbostedo]

This morning, we are waking up to a view of the Chugach...

I thought the Chugach were all south, where Alyeska is... Denali is in the Alaska Range. Are they close enough to run together? I didn't get anywhere near Denali when I was up there, but did get to see some of the Chugach.

 

[Uncle-A]

Some great pictures even with the cloud cover. Have a safe trip be careful of the insects, I have been told that they can be ferocious, but that can depend on the season.

 

[Tricia]

I thought the Chugach were all south, where Alyeska is... Denali is in the Alaska Range. Are they close enough to run together? I didn't get anywhere near Denali when I was up there, but did get to see some of the Chugach.

The Chugach covers a big range of area.

 

[Jim Kenney]

Is that a Sasquatch footprint?

 

[Tricia]

I thought the Chugach were all south, where Alyeska is... Denali is in the Alaska Range. Are they close enough to run together? I didn't get anywhere near Denali when I was up there, but did get to see some of the Chugach.

The Chugach covers a big range of area.
View attachment 138513

Here is a snapshot of an actual paper map that may be a little clearer.
We are located between Wasilla and Knik

I have not been to Alyeska yet but I understand that its not far from Girdwood. We'll be visiting there in a few days.


Currently, the tide is out and the clouds are lifting

 

[Tricia]

Ahhh…Refreshing to see the mountain hasn’t changed much since my 2019 visit.

View attachment 138499

Pretty much.

 

[Jilly]

Say HI to Lil please.