Rock and Water

September 21-27, 2008

I'm back at it again - this time I truly hope to complete my missing link across the mountains and lakes of Maine. Fall is one of my favorite times, so after experiencing Fall Color in Alaska, I'm having it now in Maine and with luck I'll see it again at home in another week.


I camped for 4 chilly nights on the shore of Flagstaff Lake (there's my camp above) while doing some good bike-hikes among the Carry Ponds (here's West Carry Pond) to the north and up the Bigelow Range from the "back" side where it's quite wild and remote.





Then I came around to the south side of the Bigelow Preserve (view to the top from Stratton Brook) and hiked over the West Peak (scene of the alpine ridge) to Horns Pond (those are the Horns behind the pond) and then down a really steep cliff to a great beaver pond (while sleeping nights in comfort at a Stratton motel).


I took refuge during the tropical storm with Susan and Michael at their Sebago Lake cottage rental - what excellent hospitality!

Alaskan Scenery

September 12, 2008

The ultimate postcard view - Denali from the reflecting pond at Camp Denali (up the hill from the Lodge where we stayed) - it really looked like this!

We were so lucky to be in the Park to see fall color, but it was chilly - here Phoebe and I are bundled up for lunchtime on a breezy mountain pass.

Now, for the must-see video - Mike doing the Tundra Roll:

If you haven't had enough, see more pictures at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/char46r/sets/72157607350616668/

Friends in Alaska

September 12, 2008

Mike and Bob on the Alaska RR train from Anchorage to the Denali Park entrance.

Bog walk in fall foliage at our Deneki Lakes lodging before we went into the park.


We stayed at North Face Lodge, which brought us into the Park by bus and offered group hikes each day. Here's a group climbing Camp Ridge.


And the afternoon view of Wonder Lake and Denali from the ridge:

Northern Detour - Alaska!

September 12, 2008

Denali in alpenglow - the final views of the mountain as we left the park at sunrise. Bob and I spent a week in Denali National Park with our friends Phoebe and Mike, fulfilling a wish we'd all had for many years.

On our last day, the season's first snow fell at higher elevations while we hiked in rain down below.

Here we hiked across a foothill of Eielson Mountain on our way back to our bus after visiting the Muldrow Glacier. We were about to cross the gravel bar and river (by wading), but were already damp, so past caring about wet feet.

Below: the view from our lunch spot on the glacier.


For the complete show, visit this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/char46r/sets/72157607350616668/