Alaskan Trails

Since I've been doing some traveling, I haven't had much time to post.  I'll write more about these places later, but I wanted to share some scenes of Alaskan Trails.  

First, I went on a short, guided hike to Mendenhall Glacier.  What you'll see in these images is the growth that comes after a glacier recedes.  Here are a few scenes: 

The surrounding forest was lush and vibrant.  

The next group of images are from the Tongass National Forest.  We hiked the Denver Glacier Trail, and walked through some amazing old growth forest.  These are probably my favorite images since I started this project.  

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Glacier Hike

Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Alaska

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Denver Glacier Trail

Skagway, Alaska

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Rocky Ridge Loop Trail

On the East Bay Mud Trail Map, the Ramage Peak Trail starts at the Chabot staging area.  When you start the hike, you only see the sign for the Rocky Ridge Loop Trail.

Trail marker by the sign-in box

This is the only trail marker, but continue on here for either an out and back loop or a shorter out and back hike. I tried to find the trail marked "Trail" on the map, the one that juts out, heading east, then south.  At .9 miles, there was a trail marker with an arrow continuing the route, but no sign of the trail that leads nowhere.  

Even though we had a somewhat dry winter, there is still a lot of vibrant growth under the canopy.

There are mostly Oaks and Bays in this forest. You'll see a few Redwoods, but they're small. The trail starts to open up at about .9 miles, and you'll start a fairily steep climb.  I don't know if it was the weather or if I just looked like a tasty morsel, but the flies were on me during the climb.  The wind and little bit of rain seemed to chase them away at times, but there were a lot of them.   

The trail opens up and you start your climb to the ridge line

Fossils!

For this hike, go as long as you want, then turn around.  Or, continue and do the Rocky Ridge Loop.  If you do the whole loop it would be about a 12.5 mile hike, according to the map.  Much of it would be on the ridge line without shade, so bring a lot of water and nourishment.     

This is a majestic tree you'll see coming and going

Not too far from the Christmas tree far, the light was hitting the trail nicelyI suggest this hike for exercise and/or contemplation.  The trail is well marked, and there is parking and a bathroom at the trailhead.  You'll need a permit from EB Mud.  

Enjoy and be safe!

Trail Map/Permit

Route and Stats:

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Rocky Ridge

Rocky Ridge Loop Trail

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Staging Area:

 

Emerald Bay to Eagle Lake - South Lake Tahoe

Last Saturday, after the trails conference, I got up early to watch the sunrise over Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.  It was a beautiful scene.

The sun rose just before 6am, and I climbed up on to the rocks at the Vikingsholm parking area (in Emerald Bay State Park.) to take a few shots. My plan was to hike up to Eagle Lake.  It's not a long hike, and I wanted to take some pictures before the light got too harsh.  After a few more shots of the sunrise, I turned my attention to Lower Eagle Falls.  You can hear the roar quite clearly from up above, and when the dawn light hit the falls, it was a spectacular sight.

Lower Eagle Falls is right next to Highway 89, and I walked down the road, climbed down a bit and took some closer pictures of the falls.

Just across the street from the falls is the trailhead for the hike to Eagle Lake.  At the Harvey West Parking Area, there is a $10 fee, but at the Eagle Falls trailhead, it's only $5.  

Park here, and start your hike.

From this trailhead, you can hike deep into the Desolation Wilderness.  The hike to Eagle Lake is less than 3 miles round trip, and the Eagle Loop is an even shorter hike.  

You'll need to fill out a trail permit.  These permits are important in case something happens, and rescuers need to find you.  There is no fee for the permit.

Take the steps to your left and start your climb here.

Soon, you'll reach the upper falls.  Take a moment to enjoy this experience, then cross the bridge and continue on to Eagle Lake.

Upper Eagle Falls

View from the bridge across Upper Eagle Falls.

Building this trail must have been a lot of work, as there are plenty of stone steps along the way.

Never hike in to a place called "Desolation Wilderness" without a map!It had rained earlier in the week, so parts of the trail were wet and/or flooded.  However, it was all easily passable.

After a winter with heavy snow, this trail would probably still have some accumulation.  This year, the snow fall was light, and I only saw a few lingering drifts.  

The trees were stretching after their winter slumber.Hiking on this kind of heavily technical trail (a trail with a lot of rocks, roots, etc.) requires a lot of work, but it's great exercise.

The trail was well marked. Follow the signs to Eagle Lake.Keep an eye out for the elf house.

At about .8 of a mile, you'll see the little lake.

First view of the lake.

When I arrived at the lake, the bright dawn light was fully on me.  This is the primary source of Eagle falls, and here is the water starting its journey to the falls:

 I followed the trail around part of the lake to get a better vantage point. 

Eagle Lake

There is a little island on the lakeTake a little time to enjoy the scene.  When I went, there were only a few people around.  However, I've read that this route gets very busy in the summer.  

The walk back is downhill and easy.  Enjoy the views and watch the rocks.

Total Mileage: 2.30 miles

State Park Site (Emerald Bay State Park)

Directions

Trail Map options  (I used this one, picked up at REI)

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Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe

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Trailhead

 

Travemunde and Priwall, Germany

While on vacation, I searched (Googled) for local trails in northern Germany and came across the E9 Trail.  Unfortunately, no one I asked seemed to know what I was talking about.  So, I traveled up to Travemunde and tried to find it myself.  What I found was a nude beach and a few old guys wandering around willing to bare it all in 40 degree Baltic weather.  No, I didn't get shots of them, but I did stumble on a few worthwhile trails.  

Taking a stroll in PriwallThe Germans love their dogs and their bikes.  It was great to see dogs everywhere, and nobody left their dog poop bags on the trail!  This was not a hike as much as it was a stroll.  The day was cool, but the bright sun had lots of sun deprived northern Germans outside.  I wandered around the little Priwall peninsula for a while.  Priwall is in what used to be East Germany.  30 years ago, when I last visited Eastern Europe, I was retained briefly as a suspected US spy. (No, I was just a naive college kid.)  It was nice to travel here and not be concerned about saying, writing or photographing the wrong things.  

Nice views of the countryside from the trail.So, I wandered around carrying my camera and tripod to the bemused looks of the locals.  The trails were wide, friendly and peaceful.  The trees were just starting to bud with spring's blooms, and the sun's warmth made the walk very enjoyable.  Anytime you are travelling, take some time to find local trails.  

Bikes are more common than hikers on the trails.

I'm looking forward to the Calfornia Trails conference this week.  My session will be Thursday morning at 9:45, if you can attend.  See you there!

Redwood Regional Park - Spring 2013 - Valley Scenes

This winter has been dryer than usual.  I visited Redwood Regional Park on April 6th to take some pictures of Redwood Creek and the feeder streams, but found them to be dry or flowing very lightly.  Luckily, the light was perfect.  It was actually raining, and I had to keep a large bag over the camera to keep it dry.  These are some scenes of Tres Sendas and French Trails.  

One of the best places to enter the park is via the

Moon Gate off Skyline Blvd.

   There is not as much parking here as the Skyline gate staging area, but Tres Sendas Trail is right off the Moon Gate.  Start at Moon Gate, and take a left on the West Ridge Trail.  You'll pass a few houses on your left as you make your way to the trail.  Tres Sendas Trail is on the right.  This trail drops you in to the valley of Redwood Regional Park.  

Print off a map

before you go, because there is not a map stand at this trailhead.  

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Trail Maps

(Get the maps for Redwood Regional Park)

Prints

The rain made the moss and foliage much more vibrant

View of the Redwoods across the valley floor

A wet mist added a bit of atmosphere...

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Redwood Forest

Redwood Regional Park

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