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!