Mt Baldy...2024 Take One

It seems like the last few years in Alaska I have spent a lot of time waiting for sun...and warmth.  After 3 or 4 false springs (the sun shines, it starts to melt, we let our guard down, and boom...snow), and a few thousand flicks of the switch to turn the fireplace on, fireplace off, heater on, heater off, it was finally sunny out!

I have been watching the snow become patchier on the mountains on the drive home from work.  And while I knew there was still snow, I figured there was a good chance I could make it to the top in sneakers.  And the first real vertical of the year, also figured I would be good getting up to around the halfway part where you have to scramble over the rocks.  Pretty sure it was last year I 'postholed' and lost a shoe at about that spot, so I wasn't going to keep going if it was too much snow at that point.  (Posthole...as in falling through the snow when you take a step and finding out you are thigh of hip deep, and probably more but that's about where you are able to pack in enough snow to stop)

The hike to Mt Baldy begins at the top of Skyline Road in Eagle River, and winds up to a fantastic view on top of the mountain overlooking the town and valley.  This can be done as a 2.9 mile loop, or out and back.  From the parking area, you can choose to go left, which starts our flatter, and bushier and ascends up behind Mt Baldy, or to the right.  My favorite way is to the right.  This first little incline to the trailhead is probably the steepest part.  Note to self.  When there is still snow by the parking lot...there is a lot more above.

I was loving those blue skies and beautiful rows of clouds!  The majority of the hike up this route is switchbacks.  There is ample opportunity for cardiovascular exercise just by setting your pace.  Not much up and down, mostly just ups.  It's a relatively smooth dirty trail, with enough width to stop and step to the side and leave room for folks and dogs to pass.  There are a few spots that can be a bit slick with rain, mud, or snow, but usually it's a great trail.  This is also a well travelled trail, one that I feel comfortable doing alone.  Are there bears about this area?  Yup.  But if there are a lot of cars in the parking area, you are going to be meeting people frequently enough that you aren't super likely to surprise a bear.

It may not yet be full spring, but it's very pretty.  It's hard to tell that whole town of Eagle River is right down below.

Not sure if my camera got foggy here or what, but I thought it was a cool effect.  I was actually making decent time (for me), and only stopped for a couple of breathers.  I was feeling like getting back into shape after my winter hibernation was going to be easier than I thought.  But.  The joy was short lived.  After I rounded the next corner...the snow patches got more continuous.  I, as I always do, figured if I could just push through it, it would be fine.  So I picked my way through and got to the spot where there should have been another switchback...but that's where it was just uphill in slick and half melted snow.  The lady to the right was part of another group tenuously trying to get back down.

To be fair, I do this at the start of every year.  I get over exuberent for spring.  I buy my plants to early and they struggle to survive.  I head to the trails the first sunny days and end up hip deep in snow, rather than enjoying the sun at ground level like a wiser soul.  That said, plenty of people were heading to the top via Microcleats.  I decided to pick my way back through the snow and head down.  That one bad knee will hold up a lot longer if I am not twisting it sliding on ice and unstable steps.

All and all, it was still a good day.  Some mountain time is better than none.  And now I think I shall have to keep going back to see how many weeks until the snow melts off, and write it down to remind myself to wait in the sun with a cocktail next year in May.

did find this odd little caterpillar, and gave him a lift on a twig off the trail and away from thundering feet.  Surely if he is awake, it must be spring soon.  Thought I would share an Alaskan caterpillar.

 Til next weekend...see if I can get a little closer next time!

View from the parking lot.  At least it's greening up at the lower altitudes!

Thunderbird Falls

 After a too long winter, I decided I am going to have to work up to the hikes a a bit.  So thought I would start with an easy one, Thunderbird Falls.  Starting at a State Park parking lot, it's a relatively easy hike to a little waterfall.  All Trails puts it at 1.8 miles.  It starts with an uphill from the parking lot, but then gives you a few ups and downs along the way.

This is a good, easy, roadside hike for tourists looking to stretch their legs along the way./

I did this one with a coworker, a hubby, and a toddler.  We still had some snow covered slick spots down by the falls, but the main part of the trail was clear.  There are a couple of decks to gaze out over the moderate abyss at the skyline, with some interpretive information about the area for those who want a bit of a reading break after the hill.

                                            

We followed the path along the wooden boardwalk to the end, and then looped back down and off to the right on a side trail to get to the base of the falls.  Also a great spot for selfies.

Or if you just prefer the scenery, it's a good spot for that too.  So if you are looking for a short and convenient spot to reconvene with nature without investing a huge amount of time, this is a good walk for you.