Eagle Crest Hike

Perhaps I was a bit premature with the last post since we got another day of summer today.  DeAnna and I went somewhere we haven't been yet - top of Eagle Crest.  Although you can't find this information in the trail guides, you can take the service road from the lodge to the top of Eagle Crest.  It is 1400' elevation gain, probably over about 2 miles, and takes about 1.5-2 hours to walk up it.  Once at the top of the lift, you can continue behind it on trails that lead to spectacular views of the channel, and even Admiralty Island.  I did not know this when I went up, so it was a very nice treat.  From the top, the trails are only about another 1/2 mile and few hundred feet gain.  This hike is a great one to do if you want the views but don't have all day to hike one of the other mountains from sea level. 

Winter Is Coming....

Next weekend will mark the end of the summer, and I'm actually looking forward to the upcoming winter.  Don't get me wrong, it can be miserable here with the rain and the darkness.  I don't enjoy driving in snow or shoveling it either.  However, there's something peaceful about the winter here.  Maybe because all the tourists and fair weather residents are gone.  Also, this summer was quite disappointing with the frequent rains.  I made it out on a few hikes, but only to one new trail.  I didn't even make it out fishing like I had planned to.  Oh well.  At least I have a few trips coming up this fall - starting with a trip to Skagway (or Whitehorse) over Labor Day weekend, Maui in October, and home for Thanksgiving.  I always like change in seasons.  Too bad there are only two here as far as I'm concerned.

Peterson Lake Trail

I've been a bit of a slacker lately, getting way too engrossed in Skryim.  This past Sunday though, I finally got off my butt for a decent hike up Peterson Lake Trail with Matt.  The trail, which starts at mile 24 on Egan, is 4.3 miles each way with a 700 feet elevation gain, so it's not too easy and not too strenuous.  However, the trail is not that well maintained so navigating around muddy spots and walking over protruding roots made it much more difficult than it should've been.  The fact that it was a bit of a rainy day didn't help.  Sometime I wonder why I put myself through a hike like that.  I could've been home on the comfy couch in my dry warm home getting many hours of game time in.  Actually, I was really glad to get out and get some fresh air even if I was wet and muddy by the time I was done. 

At the end of Peterson Lake Trail is (tah dah) Peterson Lake.  There is also a newly renovated US Forest Service cabin that can be rented out for $35 a night.