The best way to get up close to the Matanuska Glacier!
Our time at the Sheep Mountain Lodge was a combination of relaxation, while taking in the great views, and a high flying adventure. From check in on Wednesday afternoon until departure around noon on Friday we didn't crank up the car. Although most of our driving for this Alaskan adventure is behind us, we've already put over 1,500 miles on the car. I think it had earned a little time off.
The lodge offered several trail options that had trail heads on the property. These trails are used year round, as hiking trails in the summer and groomed cross country ski trails in the winter. The snow has melted and we enjoyed a nice hike along one of the flatter trails that ran behind the Glacier View Airport. Much to our surprise, we found a bench along the trail that gave us a great view of some Dall Sheep on the side of the tall, steep mountain that is appropriately named Sheep Mountain.
Watching the dall sheep lick rocks.
The sheep are quite a sight to watch. They perform death defying acts of walking and jumping from one small ledge to another. We've learned that it's not just a game of "follow the leader" or "amuse the tourist". There are several reasons they do what they do, where they do it. First, they're well protected from most predators. Secondly, the rocks along the side of the mountains are rich in minerals like sodium and magnesium. The sheep literally lick the rocks to replenish minerals not readily available in their diet. Fun to watch, but I don't think I'll replicate this feat. I'll just stick to my One-A-Day-Vitamin for old men.
We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the lodge had a hot tub. Along our travels we've rarely met a hot tub we didn't like and that was certainly the case here. Although it was indoors it had huge windows that could be opened for fresh mountain air and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. We enjoyed a couple of soaks in the hot water while kicking back and taking in the scenery.
The highlight of our time at Sheep Mountain Lodge was on Friday just before check out. We had talked with Mark about a helicopter tour and glacier landing. He and his wife Ruthann own and run the lodge. Mark is licensed as both a fixed wing and helicopter pilot as well as an aviation mechanic. He offers flight seeing tours of the glacier and surrounding mountains, as well as transportation for more adventurous (and probably younger) folks who do ice climbing, back country camping, etc. He also knows the weather in the area really well. In spite of what the Weather Channel was showing, he said the weather would be better on Friday morning than Thursday afternoon. If you can't trust your pilot with over twelve years of experience flying the Glacier, who can you trust?
As it turns out, he was right. We took off from the lodge around 10:45 under mostly clear skies and very light winds. The 10-15 minute flight out to the glacier was breathtaking. We flew around and over mountains before reaching the glacier. Once we were there we circled around a portion of the glacier while Mark enthusiastically shared some of his vast knowledge of the history, geography and geology of the area. We made a soft landing near the largest of the crystal clear glacial pools. On our 15-20 minute walkaround we learned more about the geology and how the pools form, flow and eventually drain. All the while, new pools are forming to entertain future travelers to this 26 mile long, 4 mile wide glacier. Not only was it great seeing the glacier up close, we also spotted moose, dall sheep and mountain goats along the flight.
Ready for take off!
The dark area in the middle are rocks that have been crushed and pushed up to the surface forming the spine of the glacier.
Amazing 360 degree views from the air.
According to Mark most of the glacier pools are around 100 feet deep (although some go much deeper). They eventually drain leaving large holes for ice climbers to enjoy.
The waterfall to the right of Beth is about 30 feet high.
Before returning to the helicopter Mark and I took a few minutes to skip a few rocks across the glassy, smooth and very cold water. Not surprisingly, I lost the rock skipping contest to a more experienced skipper. I took solace in knowing, that for what will most likely be the only time in my life, I was standing on a glacier in Alaska skipping rocks into a 100+ foot deep glacier pool. Second place isn't so bad!
Gold and Silver Medalist in the Glacier Rock Skipping Contest.
We've now made our way to Valdez for a two night stay in a really cool tiny home (Airbnb). Along the drive we were surprised when we passed by one of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitors Centers (currently closed). This national park was mentioned in a previous blog and is the largest of all our national parks (larger than the state of New Hampshire). We didn't stay long but we did enjoy a nice overlook and captured a few photos as proof we had been there even if we only saw a minuscule bit.
Another National Park checked off the list.......
The tip of my finger is where we were in Wrangell-St. Elias. The blue shaded area is the entire park.
The drive also took us over Thompson Pass, and then by the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Area which is still covered in deep snow. Near Valdez we drove through Keystone Canyon, which is a deep canyon with numerous, massive, cascading waterfalls on both sides.
A few of the many Keystone Canyon waterfalls.......
This is the Railroad Tunnel of 1906, cut through Keystone Canyon. According to historians, it was hand carved by nine companies to shorten the railroad route. Before it was finished a feud with gunfire erupted and it was never finished.
We did get out and roam around Valdez a bit last evening. Although it was a little rainy and cloudy it seems like a beautiful area. We enjoyed ice cream from the local ice cream shop (Northern Treats), while staring at the mountains and boats coming and going on Prince William Sound. As we drove into town we spotted the first black bear that we've seen on this adventure. I'm not saying we're getting accustomed to spotting bears, but when she saw it Beth kind of nonchalantly said "there's a bear". While we were in town and enjoying our ice cream I got a notice from our Airbnb host that there were bears out between town and our temporary home. We, along with several other cars parked and watched a momma bear and her three playful cubs for around five minutes before they slowly (especially two of the cubs) made their way back into the thick woods.
Our first black bear of the trip!
Momma and her cubs. One is on the left, one is on the right and one is hanging closely behind.
Shortly we'll get out and explore this area, which is often referred to as "Little Switzerland". Even though it's already a little after 9:00 AM, sunset tonight isn't until 10:44 PM. I think we've got plenty of time.
This was taken out a small window in our Valdez Airbnb at 3:10 AM. The sun "sets" but it never gets completely dark at this time of year.
