Denali Highway - Chitina/Kennicott - Valdez

We have posted a lot this day, and the posts, which are mostly pictures can be found by clicking these links:

Food recipe

Denali/McKinley pics

The Metropolies of Alaska

Animals

Taken at our camp site on Denali Highway

After the river rafting in Nenanna river, we headed south, and then east bound on the denali highway, which is a 130 mile gravel road that starts in Cantwell. The first part of the road brought us spectacular views of the Alaska range. Too bad the weather wasnt as good as we had hoped it would be. With 56 miles left to go, 19:00, we stopped and spent the night at a little wayside.

Coffee (and cookie) stop, Day 2 Denali Highway

The next day, we left early, and a good thing we did so. The weather was great, and there was virtually no wind, which enabled us to get some really nice views, and photos. We even came across two eagles, one which can be seen among the animal pictures linked to above.

Taken early in the morning, day 2, Denali Highway

Where is Eddie? My god, he's been ate!

Leaving the Denali highway, we drove all the way to Sourdough, where we had lunch, a bacon and egg sandwich. Yums! Continued after that all the way to Glennallen, where we got ourselves some bus tickets to go to a place called Kennicott.

Sophie, gearing up the "rattvaxel" :D

In Kennicott there used to be, up until 1938, a copper mining operation called Kennecott mines. But, in 1938, they all got on the same train and just left. Much is still left since that day.

The abandoned Kennecott Mines

Early next morning we left for Kennicott, from our RV Park in Chitina. Since the McCarthy Road, that leads to Kennicott, was in such bad condition, we were not allowed to travel it in our RV. Therefore, we had to take a bus that took us all the way in. Once on the road, however, we realized it actually wasnt in that bad of a condition, but we probably wouldnt have wanted to travel it ourselves anyway.

Mt Dome, overlooking the Root Glacier in Kennicott.

The root glacier, and 16000 ft Mt Blackburn in the background

Once there we checked out the Kennicott town, and looked at the buildings. Quite amazing. Since it was a really sunny and nice day we decided to hike the 50 minutes or so it would take to get down to the Root Glacier which was located nearby.

View from the Glacier Lodge

Ended the day in Kennicott with a cheesecake and an Ice Tea at Kennicott Glacier Lodge, overlooking Mt Blackburn and the glacier valley. Immediately upon return to Chitina, we had a quick meal, and drove off for the coastal town of Valdez.

Remember, stay alert. This is prime, I repeat, PRIME, grizzly bear habitat

We didnt realize just how high up we were, but once we turned left and started heading for Valdez, it became very clear. We travelled approx 120 miles, and it was all downhill, and the views where quite spectacular.

Dinner in Valdez

As of now, its 11 am, we are in Valdez (bear paw campground), and getting ready to hike. We are also looking forward to our second! shower. We will spend the night here in Valdez, and then head back up to Matanuska for some glacier hiking.

Next time you hear from us will be from Anchorage.