The Chugach Mountains arc 250 miles from Bering Glacier on the Gulf of Alaska to Turnagain Arm. The Matanuska River was running along the foot of the range in braids from the glacier.

back to index

This glacier begins in the Chugach Mountains and flows for 27 miles. Its average width is 2 miles and it is 4 miles wide at its terminus. It has remained fairly stable for the last 400 years.

back to index

Although we didn't spot any dall sheep the day we were here, the sign said that the sheep come to this mountain because of the presence of natural mineral licks. It is thought they eat gypsum here which is a form of calcium sulfate.

back to index

Beautiful, sparkling Tolsona Creek ran through this campground. Every campsite in this wilderness setting was situated so that it backed onto the creek. What a glorious place!

back to index

This is literally a bed of flowers!

back to index

This national park is larger than the state of Connecticut but is mostly wilderness and inaccessible. While at the visitor's center we were able to get a view of Mount Wrangell which is 14,163 feet and the range's only active volcano.

back to index

According to rangers, Worthington Glacier is the most visited site in the Copper River Basin. The glacier heads on Girls Mountain.

back to index

We have been rather surprised that the mountain passes here in Alaska are not as high as we thought they would be. For example, Thompson Pass is only 2,678. Because of snowfall extremes, snow poles have been placed along the highway to mark the road edge for the snowplows.

back to index

We once again have a campsite with a view. We are across Valdez Port from the small community of Valdez. Our site is about 30 feet above the water which gives us an incredible view.

back to index

Below our site, seemed to be prime salmon fishing land. Most people were catching their limit of six pinks. I decided I like eating the fish but I really don't like the smell and sight of the fish being cleaned and filleted.

back to index

We are thrilled that there is lots of sea life to observe from our site. This cute sea otter was munching salmon carcasses thrown back into the sea. The sea otters are larger than I thought - probably 3-4 feet stretched out.

back to index

On our way into town Al spotted a black bear by the side of the road about two miles from our campground. By the time we turned around and went back, he decided to hightail it into the woods so all I got was a "bear butt" photo.

back to index

Driving up the canyon we were able to view two beautiful waterfalls. This is Horsetail Falls and further up the canyon was Bridal Veil Falls.

back to index

Maxine and Jesse Whitney came to Alaska in 1947 and spent their lives embracing the land, its culture and its people. Traveling and living in the state, they assembled the largest private collection of Alaskan native art and artifacts in the world.

back to index

We got to see the sun go behind the mountain at around 10:15 and saw some color in the sky and on the water. These are different sunsets than ones I've seen before.

back to index

The sea otters aren't the only ones feeding on the salmon here. We also see many sea lions and seals and of course gulls. The sea lions are much more difficult to photograph because they just come up for air and quickly dive again. I was able to get these two noses!

back to index

We heard about a jeep road here in Valdez and decided to try it. The trail followed Mineral Creek up into the valley with mountains rising to over 5000 feet on both sides...

back to index

...and glaciers...

back to index

...incredible waterfalls...

back to index

...wildflowers like this monkey flower...

back to index

...and snow bridges.

back to index

We forded the river...

back to index

...and had our picture taken at the site of the old McIntosh Roadhouse (1912).

back to index

Back in town, we decided to walk the Dock Point Trail which is located across the bay from our campsite.

back to index

The marina sits in this scenic location below the snowcapped mountains.

back to index

The marina sits in this scenic location below the snowcapped mountains.

back to index