Wed & Thurs, July 14-15
After we left Tangle Lakes (and paved highway!), we tried the Landmark Gap Trail, but 1/4 of the way down the trail, the stream crossing seemed too deep, so we went a little further down to Maclaren Summit Trail at MP 36.7. The Landmark Gap refers to a cut in the mountains to the north that is used by caribou during migration.
Maclaren Summit is the second highest highway pass in Alaska. We hiked the Maclaren Summit Trail about 3 1/2 hrs. total, but we lost the trail at the end. Beautiful hike with a long ridge trail in open alpine terrain.
We stopped at Clearwater Creek for the night - we had extraordinary views out our "front window" and all to ourselves almost every night that we were gone.
From Clearwater Creek we tried a hike that required us again to cross a stream - this time I'd brought my Tevas and carried my hiking boots, but after 40 minutes we gave up - it was such a mud bog from the 4-wheelers. That was something that I felt very sad about on almost every hike. This pristine area and the permafrost is torn up and turned into mud bogs by the Off Road Vehicles (ORVs). I understand that it is another way of appreciating the environment that I don't happen to share, but I couldn't help remembering that old commercial of the American Indian with a tear coming down his cheek. It surely turns the area not beautiful in its tracks.
We did see a bear print, and of course, there was always that possibility on all of these trails. We always carry bear spray hiking in Alaska (the we means Brian carries it - I really should check on how to actually use it!)
We're so happy with our 1977 Chinook! It travels well, sleeps comfortably, and we've had everything that we've needed - except very little communication and virtually no cell service - especially on the western end.
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