We headed out of the heat in Las Vegas for 11 days in Alaska. First day in anchorage we took a walk around the paths in Anchorage.
Wild Rose
Long-billed Dowitcher
Canada Geese
Lupine and Daisys
Alpine Forget-me-not
Route around Anchorage
Visitors center in Anchorage
First hike in Anchorage, Flattop Mountain, and the first view of Denali. Flattop is Alaska’s most visited peak. Ascend the 1.5 - mile, 1,350 vertical foot trail to the rocky, football field-sized summit in about an hour and take in panoramic views from Denali (Mt. McKinley) to the Aleutian Islands.
View from part way up the trail
Moss Campion on the trail to Flattop.
Self Heal
Alpine Azalea
Kinnikinnick
Willow Herbs
Anemone flower
Brook Saxifrage
Cinquefoil
The final portion of the trail to the top of Flattop Mountain
View back down toward Anchorage.
Flag on top and view over the bay to the Alaska range. Denali is at the north end of the range not visible in this photo.
Getting ready to photograph some flowers
Three on top. Photosphere Denali is visible in the background on the right.
Mountain Avens.
The last section of trail was scrambling
Top of Flattop.
Alp Lilly
Parasailer
Lapland Diapensia
Wild Geranium
Grove Sandwort
Tall Jacob's Ladder
Ferns, alders, and corn lilly
We didn't see this sign till we got down. We missed the "easier" trail
On the drive to Fairbanks we saw the Mantanuska Glacier
Young bull moose on the side of the road
Mother Moose eating water weeds
The flowers in front of our hotel in Fairbanks, the Bridgewater.
Northern Flicker
Moose antler arch
Best shot I got of an eagle. It was a dead stuffed one in a museum.
The only shot of a Griz. It was also dead and stuffed.
Catholic church in Fairbanks
American Wigeon in Pioneer park in Fairbanks
The group in Pioneer park
Riverboat trip
Susan Butcher kennels
Young sled dogs in training
Old sled dogs eager to go
Swimming after a mushing demonstration
Drying salmon at the native village.
How to slice the salmon for drying
Angled cuts to speed drying
Winter coat with beadwork
Bird refuge, swallow nest
Bunch berry plants were everywhere
Sandhill crane at the bird refuge
Young Sand hill cranes
In Denali, a short walk to Horseshoe lake from the visitors center.
Capitate Lousewort
Monkshood
Low-bush Cranberry
Large Flowered Wintergreen
Nagoonberry
Route we took around Horseshoe lake where we saw the Beavers and the Ptarmagin
Beaver in Horseshoe lake
Moose by the side of the road while leaving Denali
on the way to Hatcher pass We got our best view of Denali
Mount Foraker
Panning for gold at Hatcher pass
Old mine remains
The top of the pass
Tundra at the top of the pass
Arctic Ground squirrel
Marmot
Frozen summit lake
On the train ride to Seward we had clear weather and great scenery.
Dall Sheep outside of Anchorage by the highway
View from the train
Seward Aquarium
Seward aviary, Tufted Puffin
King Eider duck
Murials on buildings in Seward
Harbor in Seward
Back in Anchorage we rode a tram above a ski resort and hiked around a little.
White Heather
Anemone flowers and reindeer moss
Glacier visible from the top of the Gondola
Dall Sheep in the restaurant
Hotel we will stay at next time.
Hiking at the top of the gondola
Art shot of the restaurant at the top of the gondola and us hiking back to it. While some of us hiked, others sat in the restaurant and saw two bears out the window.
Alternate trail to the top
Mountain man
Dinner at Mary's house on the last night. Had Salmon, Halibut, Cod, Reindeer sausage, Chocolate Moose, and Moose sliders.
