Alaska Trip Report, Hateful Solar Daytime 5: Matanuska Glacier, Hatcher Pass, Alaska Dry Reason Fair

Day 5, Sep 3, 2018:

Matanuska Glacier:

The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier inwards Alaska that tin last reached past times vehicle. It is roughly 26 miles long together with 4 miles broad at its terminus. It is a valley glacier; a torso of venture H2O ice that flows similar a river nether its ain weight through an existing valley.

Because the Matanuska Glacier is a conditions hole, mutual frigidity air from the glacier forces warm air upward towards the mount peaks. This results in sunny skies together with more favorable weather than its surrounding areas, making this a perfect destination for the Alaskan traveler.

The Matanuska Glacier tin last seen for miles piece driving on the Glenn hwy.

https://goo.gl/maps/XzCcWjdJH1T2

is the map I had created for our twenty-four hr catamenia inwards Palmer together with onward to Talkeetna

Road from Hatcher run past times to Willow equally marked inwards the map is gravel, then 1 has to come upwards downwardly to Palmer/Wasilla together with drive on to Willow.
We checked out, dropped the commutation inwards their mailbox, started off quite early on earlier 8 am.

GLENN HIGHWAY:

It was a lovely drive of some twoscore minutes or then on the beautiful Glenn hwy.

Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area:

At milepost marking 101, is the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area that encompasses roughly 229 acres. There is no forthwith access to the glacier from this recreational area. We drove to the nation recreation expanse first.

It has a residuum expanse alongside a covered pavilion together with an slow walking trail that parallels the glacier together with the Matanuska River. We enjoyed the view. The Sun was behind the glacier together with the persuasion was much improve when nosotros visited the same expanse inwards the afternoon on our means dorsum from Valdez to Anchorage.

We hiked the trail equally well. There are 2 options 1 steeper together with a piffling shorter. We took the less steep 1 alongside 10% incline. There was a slight rustle inwards the bushes together with the trail was fully through dense forest. We were a piffling nervous of grizzlies, but made it to the observation platform.

Could run into the brace across the Matanuska river which nosotros volition last crossing later. There had been a sign of someone holding earlier nosotros reached the platform, that set my withdraw heed to a piffling residuum equally I reasoned grizzlies may non last also active inwards inhabited place.

Our walk dorsum was faster. There were aeroplane calls together with squirrels scurrying. Was the aeroplane announcing grizzly displace or only the presence of 2 stupid hikers then early on inwards the morning, I did wonder!

Usually nosotros are rattling serenity on our hikes equally nosotros beloved to relish the serene tranquility of scenic surroundings. Here nosotros made it a indicate to verbalize loudly to deter bears. Instead of random talk, boy chanted our Lord's name, must bring collected a lot of expert karma past times the destination of the hike!

Matanuska Glacier Park:

We wanted to experience the H2O ice up-close. So nosotros drove on to Matanuska Glacier Park at milepost marking 102.

This privately owned commons is the glaciers alone access point. There was a steep gravel route leading to the brace over the river nosotros had seen previously. An entrance fee is collected at the component together with nosotros signed an indemnity waiver close the risks of walking on the glacier. Then nosotros were allowed to drive upwards to together with commons side past times side to the glacier.

We continued on human foot onto the H2O ice inwards close a few minutes. There are several local guide companies who bring appropriate gear to teach to the glacier’s most spectacular sites. It was SURREAL watching the glacier gleaming similar a Pearl together with glittering similar crystals inwards the shimmering melt waters.

We had the house all the ourselves. We fifty-fifty touched together with held broken pieces of the serac.

We could bring gone farther but did non experience the demand to. I had read a review where a guy had got stuck upwards to his knees together with his companions had struggled to line him up. We were rattling happy alongside our experience.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B9th34wMVnVHfyzr8

has the video of Matanuska glacier

When nosotros returned to the auto park, a grouping of visitors were taking selfies in that location together with they drove off without fifty-fifty attempting the walk nosotros did.

when nosotros came to their office, our car started making a weird knocking sound. Thankfully it stopped when the auto was reversed. Probably a pebble had got inwards together with vicious out. Always best non to drive on gravel roads.

The communities of Glacier View together with Sheep Mountain are 1 of Alaska's most magnificent together with breathtaking areas. We yet did non know in that location are stunning views of the entire 26 miles of the glacier farther on inwards the road. We saw it alone on our final twenty-four hr catamenia when returning to Anchorage from Valdez.

We returned the same means nosotros had come.

Again lovely sights

HATCHER PASS:

Drove to Hatcher run past times till the paved route ...terrific views.

Then drove upwards to the Independence Mine, many hikers snaking their means upwards the trails.

It was a glorious sunny day. We had wanted to hike the Butte also together with see the musk ox farm. But in that location was a fourth dimension crunch.

ALASKA STATE FAIR:

We went dorsum to Palmer for the Alaska State Fair. It was $5 parking, the grounds were bursting at the seams alongside cars. The entry was $13 pp.

We spent three hours gaping at huge pumpkins, together with other veggies together with honour winning flowers, together with farm animals.

CARIBOU/REINDEER

The crafts were groovy too, genuinely Alaska inwards a nutshell.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cXSyvujZzxEHxAfY8

has the video of Palmer together with Fairbanks (Hatcher pass, independence mine, Alaska nation fair, Pioneer park, Morris Thompson cultural together with visitor center, Georgeson Botanical garden, Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary)

TALKEETNA:

Drove on to Talkeetna inwards the evening.

This was the total route: https://goo.gl/maps/9sovEkEzjyT2

VIDEO LINKS:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B9th34wMVnVHfyzr8

has the video of Matanuska glacier

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cXSyvujZzxEHxAfY8

Palmer together with Fairbanks (Hatcher pass, independence mine, Alaska nation fair, Pioneer park, Morris Thompson cultural together with visitor center, Georgeson Botanical garden, Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary)

Report of our Day half dozen is here:

http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=alaska-trip-report-talkeetna