Day 80: Winner Creek Trail and the Hand Tram

July 3, 2014

Another beautiful morning in Alaska. Still just cool enough in the early mornings that we run the furnace to knock the chill off the rig but quickly warming up and today the high was about 78. Another good day for a hike.

As we were leaving the campground we saw our bear friend again. He crossed the drive in front of us close to the camp host site. He did seem a little more afraid of us today in that when we slowed down to get his picture he picked up his pace a little and went into the woods. We are pretty sure it was the same bear that visited us day before yesterday. We stopped by the salmon viewing platform in hopes that more fish had arrived but we saw none this morning.

We met Sandy, the pastor at Girdwood Chapel, this morning for a hike up Winner Creek Trail starting behind the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. We then hiked about 5 miles to Crow Creek Road with the added fun of a person powered hand tram ride over the gorge. It was another beautiful hike! Lush greenery as we have become accustomed to in this area of Alaska, with the addition of a wonderful creek completely full of water gushing over the rocks. Waterfalls and the sound were incredible!

The tram was an enclosed steel basket that can carry 2 people or 1 person and Scout. It has large rope stretching across the gorge and you simply pull on the rope in the direction you want to travel and the basket moves across the gorge. Having people on the ends also pulling gets you across the gorge more quickly. In our case – a little too quickly to allow for the pictures and enjoyment of the gorge that we would have liked. Today there was a line on both sides waiting to cross so there was no dallying over the gorge as we had help from both ends. It was a new experience for us all and lots of fun. As usual, Scout just took it in stride.

Anne and Sandy on the tram

View of the finish

The gorge and stream below

Scout and Max in the basket

Great hike – rated as moderate by the books. Really pretty easy with just a few somewhat steep inclines to climb and we would highly recommend it. When we reached Crow Creek Road Sandy's husband Paul was there take us back to the truck at the Resort, otherwise we would have had 3 more miles to hike. We so wished Barry and Donna could have been with us for the hike today. We had planned to do this hike the morning of the day they left but cancelled our plans due to heavy rain. They would have loved the tram.

Before going back to Fred we stopped at “The Bake Shop.” They make a lot of homemade breads and sweet rolls and are also know for their sandwiches. We had the daily special of a cup of split pea and andouille soup and a turkey, and avocado sandwich on their signature sourdough bun. Very Good!

After returning to Fred we road the bikes and again checked for the salmon at the viewing platform but they still weren't there. Then one of us took a nap while the other rode back to the viewing platform and saw one lone salmon. There was also an American Dipper, the only aquatic songbird, diving in the stream.

Tonight there was a ranger talk, “Mothers of the Chugach” since we are in the Chugach National Forest. It was very well done and had a great turnout of folks. The presentation was on the bears, brown and black, that live in this area and how to be "bear aware." The main focus is that bears can become interested in anything with a scent so nothing with a scent should be left outside unattended, for even a few minutes.

That's it for today – another wonderful day in Alaska. We will see what we can get into tomorrow. Hope everyone has a happy, fun and safe 4^th of July! Remember to thank God for this beautiful country we call home.