Alaska and Beyond

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by Dennis Adams, Aug 1, 2019.

  1. Bozho

    Bozho Member

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    Awesome trip! The photos are amazing, Alaska is definitely on my list of places to visit.
     
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  2. IW17

    IW17 Member

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    Love the pictures so far!
     
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  3. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    So this is AK right? Bears, wolves, moose, mass murders etc.
    Stop in to a ACE Hardware in Healy. Nice selection of guns, camping gear. Nice feller behind the counter.
    Introduce myself, tell I'm from east TN.
    In the gun case is SIG365. I said "wow" you have these in stock? Yes we have 8 of them and can't give em away. Everyone wants 10mm Glocks or 44 magnum or better wheel guns.
    Guess you don't need a pocket 9 pea shooter in Alaska!
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
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  4. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Let's see. Where did I leave off.

    We are five weeks out and 6000 miles traveled. Thus far.

    So many places to ser and things to do.
    We saw Denali.
    Took a bus tour 92 miles into the Park. Supposed to be 12 hours. Turned into 17. Mudslide on Polychrome Pass blocked our exit until it could be cleared. Added 5 hours to the trip. It made National news. 20190816_105528.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2019
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  5. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Got some good hikes in around Denali.
    The nice thing is unlike other parks in Denali you can get a backcountry permit and camp anywhere while backpacking.
    Upon leaving Denali for Anchorage we stopped in Talkeetna. We tried to leave the area but a fire now known as the McKinley fire blocked our way. We sat for five hours, then the Highway was closed for the night. Motorhome came in handy in the service station parking area. A few hundred others were there too.
    Fifty structures were destroyed.
    Still burning. 20190818_173659.jpg 20190819_081621.jpg 20190818_224524.jpg
     
  6. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Fires kept us out of the Kenai.
    We cancelled our reservations there. Very unfortunate.
    The Swan Lake fire took off again and the Sterling Highway was closed for 5 days.
    Cooper Landing is a mess.
    Spent extra time in Anchorage.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake_fire
     
  7. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    We took a five hour 26 Glacier boat tour out of Whittier. Humpback Whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, dolphin, calving glaciers,
    Margherita made from glacial ice.
    Awesome scenery.

    Also while in Anchorage stopped in and visited Wild West Guns. Met Jim West and others. 20190822_131437.jpg 20190822_133541.jpg 20190822_133033.jpg
     
  8. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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  9. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    20190822_135057.jpg If you have been to Anchorage, perhaps you have seen Mr. Whitekeys Show?
    We were fortunate enough to see his final Show ever at the Hard Rock Anchorage. 20190822_195522.jpg

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Whitekeys

    Also went to Chilcoot Charlie's.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2019
  10. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Campsite tonight. Pine Lake. Outside Haines. In the Yukon.

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  11. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Some drive shots today from Tok to Haines.

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  12. Trailmaster

    Trailmaster Member

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    That stinks about Cooper Landing. It’s one of, if not the most beautiful place I have ever been. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time there. Your pics are awesome of course. Alaska is just a place you have to see to truly appreciate
     
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  13. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    The entire trip has been amazing.
    I was surprised at the size of St Elias Wrangell Park. 2x Denali and 6X Yellowstone.
    And it backs up to the Teslin Wildlife Preserve! 20190825_200605.jpg

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    On to Hyder.
     
  14. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    image.jpeg The last post above was August 27th. It's now September 22nd. We made it back to east TN on September 20th.
    Between the trip getting in the way, processing photos, intermittent cell and Internet service, driving and just too much fun here are the fill in gap photos and narrative.
    It'll take a few days and a few posts to cover it all.
     
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  15. Adventurer

    Adventurer Member

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    Sounds like an awesome time! Can't wait to see the final posts.
     
  16. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    It's 1354 miles from Anchorage to Hyder, AK.
    Some is new, some is a repeat because you have to backtrack on The Alaska
    Highway 2 to get back to the Yukon to HWy 1.
    One way to shave off some driving miles, relax and get a real change of scenery is to take advantage of the Alaska Ferry System. You can walk, bike, or drive on. You can hop and stop along the coast, Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert all the way to Washington State. In fact, there is no such thing a nonstop trip for example from Whittier to Prince Rupert.
    Some of the larger boats have cabins for the overnight legs. Many folks just bring a sleeping bag and tent and pitch it on deck. No stakes and no cooking.

    We elected to return to Whittier (the 26 Glacier Tour goes out of Whittier) and Ferry to Valdez.
    It's a 5 hour leisurely cruise through the Prince William sound arriving in Valdez with plenty of time for a Halibut dinner.
    There's a convenient Campground/parking lot, within walking distance to Town and the docks. Weather was fair and the waters smooth. I sat on deck with binoculars most of the trip.

    Years later you wouldn't know that one of the largest oil spills that ever took place west of Tatitlek in 1989. The infamous Exxon Valdez.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2019
  17. artigas

    artigas Member

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    Great pics and write up.
     
  18. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Valdez to Hyder, Ak. Two day drive. Spectacular scenery. Some of the most remote country there is. I'm still haunted by the vastness.
    Hyder is bear country. They come in thick for the Fall Salmon run. We only saw one black bear snag a meal.
    About 2 hours out of Valdez on Hwy 37 just south of the Nass River Bridge we had a Sasquatch cross the road in front of us. Clear sunny visibility about 50 yards out. Came out of the woods, left to right. It never looked before crossing, just came across. Probably 7 feet tall. Long dark brown hair. Walking fast not running. Dissapeared into the woods.
    Reported the siting to BFRO.
     
  19. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    Squatch siting location.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2019
  20. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Administrator of the Century Staff Member

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    Beautiful country there mate !!!!!! Your Squatch description sounds like a girl I use to go out with !!!
     
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