Hiking in Alaska--my photo essay!

Armed with a backpack of water, granola bars, cashews, binoculars and the camera (which my husband so graciously volunteered to carry!), my husband and I got a map from the concierge and went for a 9-mile hike in the Chugach National Forest.  It was incredible! 



We got dropped off on the other side of Girdwood and began making our way back to Alyeska Resort. 

We walked miles on a dirt road, then got on the Iditarod Trail. 


We took that to the Hand Tram Trail, so named because of the small tram you pull yourself across a ravine in.  Then, we took Winner's Creek Trail for the last leg of the journey. 




The terrain was really rough.  We wound our way up and down a ravine, along the side of a mountain, through dirt and mud.  This squirrel didn't care at all that we stopped to watch it eat.  We didn't get any closer to any larger wildlife.  We did see fresh bear scat and tons of moose tracks.  At one point, we'd stopped to rest and heard something very large moving in the woods not far away--we quickly moved further down the trail. 







It was a clear day in the upper 60's/low 70's.  Perfect for hiking!  Check out these views...

















I can't wait to go back!