Hiking Bird Ridge

On one of my final days in South-central Alaska, Darcy and I met up with Rachel to go exploring on Bird Ridge along the Seward Highway on Turnagain Arm. After trucking uphill to the top of the ridge, we had an incredible day walking across the low tundra with views across the arm toward the Kenai Peninsula and up the valley toward the heart of the Chugach. There is something about this landscape I have completely fallen in love with: the wide open vistas, reindeer lichen tucked in between the crow berries, and the way you can sight a point from the top of a ridge and walk straight towards it, with a little bushwhacking of course. Hiking anywhere else is just not quite the same.

The view from the top of the ridge looking toward the Kenai Peninsula. Across the arm, tucked into the clouds we could see almost Pyramid Peak, the elusive peak that Darcy and I have yet to climb after three summers of best intentions. Just another reason why I have to come back I suppose.

We eventually left the Bird Ridge trail and set off across the tundra to try to meet up with the Indian Valley trail about 2000 feet below us. While the slope was moderate, the soft tundra makes hiking off trail pretty simple... at least until we hit tree line.

Darcy and Rachel overlooking Indian Valley.

Taking a break on the way down. This is the photo Darcy is supposed to send me sometime in February of 2008 to remind me to start applying for jobs up north so I can play in the Chugach every afternoon.

It would not be a proper hike without silly pictures. Darcy, Rachel and me looking our best as always.

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