More Hiking

I'm losing track of my days, so forgive me if I fumble around on timing.  I honestly can't remember what day I went here, but I took a trip to "Old Valdez."  I just recently learned that the town was originally sited on the silty outwashes of the Valdez Glacier and had extremely unstable ground beneath it.  This is why the 1964 earthquake of 9.2 on the Richter scale made it unfit to stay.  Part of the docks actually slid down into the ocean taking several lives with it, and the tsunami that followed flooded the town.  The ground sank 9 feet which made the tides flood with more frequency later.  The Army Corps of Engineers took land donated by homesteaders and created the New Valdez, 4 miles from the old town site.  To keep people safe, what buildings that were not moved were destroyed by bulldozers or used for training new firefighters.  All that is left of the old site is the post office foundation and these old pilings.

The other day, I think it was Wednesday, I took a trip to Pat's side of the bay to hike up Solomon Gulch Trail.  It's a 3.8 mile round trip hike that takes the Pipeline Maintenance Road to the hydroelectric dam at Solomon Lake.  Like every morning so far, it began in the fog, but it burned off nicely and the sun shone most of the day.

Did I mention there are a bazillion waterfalls?  The ions that emanate must really make me happy, because I feel compelled to take pictures and pause at each one.

The lake is natural, only larger now with the dam.  I find it fascinating that in every state there are the same named lakes, mountains, etc.  The large peak to the left of the lake in the picture is Mt. Sugarloaf.  I don't think any of my family could tackle that one.  No offense, Colorado, but our mountains kick your mountains' backside any day.

From the vantage point above the hydro project, there is a lookout over the bay that is extraordinary.  Valdez is in the background and between those ridges is where I hiked the Mineral Creek trail.  The scale of this place is incredible.

On a slightly less incredible note, I did stop at the hatchery on my way back to town.  This is a pink salmon hatchery and there were literally tons of fish trying to make their way back inside the building.  It was bizarre.  Signs of bears were everywhere on these rocks from the half-eaten carcasses of the fish to the remains they left behind (you know).  I have no way to capture the "aroma" of this particular tourist spot with the salt-sea air, rotting fish, and bear feces.  Not my favorite.

I did, however, visit another tourist spot that also brought in spawning salmon.  This is a natural spot where there were pink and chum salmon actively spawning in the gravelly beds.

The day was so beautiful, I couldn't help but go on a short  hour hike on a small peninsula just off the small boat harbor.  It's called Dock Point Trail, and it was a lovely walk in the park with a few overlooks that gave me a glimpse again of where I had been just that morning.

From here, you can see the oil pipeline terminal on the right.  It's actually pretty huge.  I asked if they give tours, but everyone looks at me funny, so I guess not.  Since they're a union run organization, mentioning that my husband works in the field for a company that does not work with unions, probably wouldn't help my chances.

Below is the view straight across of the hydroelectric plant and Mt. Sugarloaf to the left.  It's those tiny specks!

Mt. Sugarloaf is more visible here on the right and below and to the left of the next mountain is where Pat is working at the refinery.  I have some better pictures somewhere, but it seems we haven't gotten to that day yet!  Slowly but surely I'll bring you along on my trip.  If you feel bored by the repetitious pictures of mountains and waterfalls, you may give it another week or two before you check back.  I assume it will take me a while to get through it all!  I was unable to capture a photo of the bear yesterday that was only feet from the car (where I was reading) that happened to have it's back windows rolled down.  That could have been a very bad situation if he'd decided he wanted in for the food that we keep in the car, but fortunately, as I turned the key and started the car in order to roll up the windows, he promptly made his exit.  I decided not to pause for a picture.  Sorry, I know it would have made this much more interesting!

Until next time...