The day dawned overcast. But it seemed to be a bit clearer of an overcast than yesterday. We wanted to do a couple hikes that would not go doggedly up one side of a mountain and down the other. A hike with undulations would have been fine. What we found would turn out to be, as the guides and maps suggested, virtually flat. We were fine with that. The weather at the Portage Lake Begich Boggs Visitor Center (named for two congressmen who died in a plane crash en route from Anchorage to Juneau) was somewhat less than ideal. A bit windy, temperature in the mid-upper 50s, and spritzing. Perhaps the weather would keep people away from what is reportedly a busy trail leading to the Byron Glacier.
In reality the weather turned out not to be nearly as bad as it first seemed.Yes, we put on our rain gear and some of us were particularly bundled up, but it wasn’t really precipitating and once out of the wind was not bad while you kept moving along the gravel trail. Over the next 0.9 miles we wound our way towards the face of many snowfields that pour off the mountains feeding no doubt frigid water into Byron Creek. It is a stroll suitable for anyone. We would pass a few people, some with dogs (dogs seem popular here), as we headed towards Byron Glacier. If you took your gaze off the soaring mountains you would quickly spot stands of fire weed and , I think, cow parsley along with some little tiny white flowers now and then. It is a pretty walk.
Fire weed seems to be common up here. We saw many plots growing along the Byron Glacier Trail. You can see one of the several snowfields pouring down off the mountain releasing its meltwater into Byron creek.
--July 13 2019 at 10:20. Anchorage, AK, United States
At the snowfields the temperature dropped as chilly air blew off the snow. It is an area of stark beauty. It could be a place worth spending time and soaking in the splendor but for that chill wind and moisture in the air. It wasn’t a spot we felt like lingering at. On the way back we did not have any reason to really stop so made the return trip back in about 25 minutes. It was a lovely 1.8-mile round trip with practically no elevation change.
The only spots of color beyond white, black and gray you are likely to find at the end of the Byron Glacier Trail are going to be found in the clothing of people and fur coats coats of the dogs that are with their people. It is a pretty area nonetheless though the chilly breeze does help ensure you likely will not linger.
--July 13 2019 at 10:28. Anchorage, AK, United States
Behind Ken the snowfields and glacier extend. I suppose if you had the right gear and were part of an experienced team you could risk traveling across the snow and ice but I wouldn’t risk it. Photo by Judy
--July 13 2019 at 10:34. Anchorage, AK, United States
After a visit to a nearby cafe for a hot drink (so so coffee) we found our way to the Blue Ice Trail. Signs in the area are not the best and the directions we got from the visitor center left us a bit confused so it took us a bit longer than it should have to find the trailhead even though it is just before the entrance to the parking lot. The Blue Ice Trail is a bike trail and paved and graded accordingly. The trail, one way, is almost 6 miles long. We decided we would go just as far as we felt like and turn around. On this trail you find yourself walking through some woods. As with the Byron Glacier Trail, the forest seems to have quite a preponderance of evergreen with a smattering of deciduous trees thrown in for good measure. Along the sides of the trail now and then a small meadow pops up full of fire weed and no doubt other plants. A pond appears now and then.
Being a bike trail we did get passed by a family of four cyclists. I would not be surprised if the family were camping in the campground that is about a half mile off the trail. One cyclist had a dog running along with her. But it really was not a busy trail. I think I could feel comfortable biking the trail and it is clearly the best way to go if you want to cover the whole trail. But we enjoyed our stroll well enough.
The Blue Ice Trail is a bicycle path. It travels through forests with many evergreens and somewhat fewer and shorter deciduous trees. Now and then a field full of flowers like this one crammed full with fire weed makes a wonderful bit of eye candy.
--July 13 2019 at 12:49. Anchorage, AK, United States
Postscript: We stopped at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center. It is an interesting place but a bit sad. I am not sure it was worth the $14 per senior ($16 adult) we paid. Yes, we were able to see some animals exceptionally close. Close enough so that could reach through the fence and easily touch them (not something I would suggest doing). But the facilities struck as sad looking. I have a hard time imagining the animals from the porcupine to the 4 wolves, moose and elk to name some are really having a good time even though I expect they are well cared for. Finally, we made a quick visit to what must be the largest REI I have ever seen.
This moose is about as close as you probably think he is. Laying down, chewing his cud, just beyond a fence of widely spaced heavy wire that rises 8-10 feet from the ground. This moose is part of the collection of animals at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center. I am sure the people there do well by the animals present but it still feels a bit sad and also, given the admission fee, a bit mercenary.
--July 13 2019 at 14:03. Anchorage, AK, United States
At A Glance - Byron Galcier Trail
- Total Length: Just under 2 miles round trip.
- Total Ascent and Descent: 144 feet up going to the snowfields; 144 feet descending on the way back.
- Total Time: we probably spent just a bit over an hour out. Call it 80 minutes.
- Weather: Overcast and a bit breezy with some moisture in the air and a temperature of perhaps 58F cooling at the snowfields.
At A Glance - Blue Ice Trail
- Total Length: We hiked just under 1.8 miles out on the trail; so about 3.4 total since we took a shortcut at the end on the way back.
- Total Ascent and Descent: 40 feet up and down.
- Weather: Pretty much did not change from the Byron Glacier Trail though it might have been a degree or 2 warmer.
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