Exploring Palmer

Last week was a whirlwind. Kristen and I flew to Colorado for Danny's wedding and never stopped moving. Nate and the other groomsmen succeded in getting Danny married, made a quick stop at home to see the parents and then flew right back up to AK. This weekend we decided to check out the Palmer area which is really close but has very little access to the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

Danny and Brittany's reception on her dad's ranch in wyoming. Many famous people had stayed there including bush I and II. Clinton, johnny cash, robert redford. it was a beautiful place but hard to find!

When we got back all the trees had changed color.

The morning drive to work.

For the weekend we headed to pioneer peak. The south peak is accessible with some scrambling but the north peak requires technical climbing gear.

The colors are just amazing right now.

Like most trails in AK they are slightly unmaintained, unpopulated, and moose and bear danger is very high! But...

Nate now has a very big gun on his hip loaded with steel jacketed hollowpoints. Thanks Dad!

The hike was strenuous to say the least. 4.5 miles with 5300ft. elevation gain, but the views were incredible. to the right looks up the knik river to the knik glacier and to the left is mat-su valley where we live.

Nate and his fearless bear dog.

The Knik glacier which strangely enough is not accesible by any trails. Only boats and planes can access it.

This is a good view of the matanuska-susitna valley. We live in the far upper left corner at the base of the northern mountains. This is also as far as we made. We got a late start, light was fading and we didn't want to be caught in the woods at dark.

This is what we look like, in case anyone forgot.

More foliage, Nate blends in well.

Camp on the Knik River, got the ol silver bullet back in action.

The colors were incredible.

Pioneer peak in the morning.

We hopefully want to get up to Denali next week. The park is closed but september is supposed to have some of the best views of the peak, so we will see. Until next time.....