[Seven Mile Lake & Gulkana Glacier, Alaska]
[Updated 5/25/10]
I've been in Fairbanks for just over a month now. When I arrived, there was still a little less than a foot of snow, the trees were bare, the ground was brown, and the temperature struggled to reach 50 degrees even on sunny days. Over the past four weeks, the snow has melted, the trees have budded, ground vegetation is ripe and green, and it’s been ranging from 60 to 75 degrees most days. Perfect if you ask me! Although, I do hear my friends and family back in Minnesota are suffering with 90-degree temperatures and 80% humidity. I know what that feels like and can assure you, it is NOT fun! I do miss a good Minnesota thunderstorm every once in a while though.
I've been in Fairbanks for just over a month now. When I arrived, there was still a little less than a foot of snow, the trees were bare, the ground was brown, and the temperature struggled to reach 50 degrees even on sunny days. Over the past four weeks, the snow has melted, the trees have budded, ground vegetation is ripe and green, and it’s been ranging from 60 to 75 degrees most days. Perfect if you ask me! Although, I do hear my friends and family back in Minnesota are suffering with 90-degree temperatures and 80% humidity. I know what that feels like and can assure you, it is NOT fun! I do miss a good Minnesota thunderstorm every once in a while though.
To couple the great weather here with great adventure, I’ve been itching to go on my first, formal hiking/camping/kayaking trip in some rugged Alaskan wonderland. As luck continues to run its course in my adventures so far, it looks as though a few us are planning on hitting up Seven Mile Lake (click for map) this Memorial Day weekend. It sits about halfway between Fairbanks and Anchorage, just east of Denali National Park and west of the Tanana Valley State Forest.
[Seven Mile Lake]
It all starts Friday night, with a drive down to mile 40 of the Denali Highway. We'll disembark and ford our way through a system of cured and uncured trails 6.5 miles off the road through a natural amphitheater of 4,000-foot mountains and a marshy valley until we reach Seven Mile Lake. We'll set up camp, enjoy the ever-fading sunsets and sunrises, kayak the lake, and hike a summit or two in the foothills. To rub in a little more amazing-ness, the weather forecast is as follows. It doesn't get much better than this:
FRI: Hi 65+, Lo 35+
SAT: Hi 65+, Lo 35+
SUN: Hi 65+, Lo 35+ cloudy, scattered showers
MON: Hi 65+, Lo 35+ cloudy, rain likely
I've hiked, camped, kayaked, and fished in state parks before, but they have almost always been on property with other travelers’ tents or RV’s next to mine, owned by KOA, and treated more as family getaway experiences. THIS and other trips over the next year up here will be much more true to the camping and hiking form - far from anyone else and completely immersed in nature. I’m so excited for this and many more adventures to come.
I like this updated version!
ReplyDeleteHowever, the weather forecast kind of looks like the weatherman got lazy: "Meh, It might get above 65º and it won't go below 35º. This'll do, 35+ to 65+ ALL weekend!" haha! 35º would be pretty chilly but you're still one lucky duck!
I think you have the same hiking boots as me! :) Loved the hiking/climbing adventure you did - that was fun to view the pictures and read about....miss ya!
ReplyDelete