Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Anchorage to Talkeetna
It's 47 degrees this morning, and it's AUGUST! Welcome to Alaska. I had low expectations for the free hotel breakfast, but they actually had a selection of hot items, including scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns. A good start to the day!
On our way out of Anchorage, we picked up groceries and liquor, then made a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla. Unfortunately, the dogs weren't on site yet this morning because the mushers had truck trouble. Disappointing, but we'll have another chance to see sled dogs later. I was proud to learn, being a native Oklahoman myself, that former Oklahoman Joe Redington Sr. was the driving force behind the creation of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and is known as the “Father of the Iditarod.” Who'da thought?
Husky HQ
Oklahoma Joe, Father of the Iditarod
From Wasilla, we headed up Wasilla-Fishhook Road and Hatcher Pass Road, a 49-mile route (20 miles of it gravel and packed dirt) through very scenic alpine landscape. Again, it's only August, but the fall colors were SPECTACULAR! In Knoxville it's 95 degrees. The vegetation on the rolling hills was unfamiliar and simply stunning.
Alaska Autumn in August
Independence Mine area, near Hatcher Pass
Independence Mine State Historical Park is the site of an old hard-rock gold mining camp that closed in 1951. We took a self-guided interpretive hike through the camp, enjoyed the awesome views, and had a nice picnic.
Independence Mine State Historical Park
Mining camp, partially preserved
Ore cart tracks
Beyond the historical park, Hatcher Pass Road turns to gravel. Much was made on the internet regarding the treacherous nature of the road, but it was in good condition when we traveled through. It lacks guardrails but was plenty wide and nicely graded. We reached Hatcher Pass and then the gorgeous Summit Lake, two miles past the turnoff to the mine. From there, the road followed a clear, rocky stream down the mountain.
Summit Lake
Hatcher Pass
Crystal clear mountain stream
Roadside Alaska
The west end of Hatcher Pass Road ends at the George Parks Highway, north of Willow. This part of the state has been experiencing a drought this summer, and there was a lot of wildfire damage evident along the highway between Willow and the Talkeetna Spur Road. A few days ago, there were road closures here, and today firefighters could still be seen hosing down smoldering trees alongside the road.
Wildfire damage
We turned off the George Parks Highway toward Talkeetna. Just before reaching town, we got our first glimpse of Denali, the highest mountain in North America (20,310 feet), sticking out above the clouds. Due to the smoky haze, the view wasn't the best, but we have several more days of Denali-viewing opportunities.
As we were approaching Talkeetna, several tour buses were leaving. Good timing! Talkeetna is a tiny town, and I wouldn't want to share it with that many people at once.
Quaint and quirky Talkeetna
We checked into our humble lodgings at Talkeetna Roadhouse around six o'clock. The roadhouse is primarily a restaurant and bakery, but they also have six rooms for let, plus a tiny cabin. We'd reserved the teeniest of rooms, with a shared bath, for $75, the cheapest room of the trip. Deal! I loved the place, very Alaska quirky. The room was allegedly a triple, but I would hate to try to stick a third person in here!
Talkeetna Roadhouse
Our modest lodgings, bathroom down the hall
After settling in, we walked down the street to the confluence of the Sustina, Chultina, and Talkeetna Rivers. We could vaguely make out Denali through the haze. Then we visited the town cemetery, with its climbing memorial dedicated to those who have perished on Mt. McKinley/Denali through the years. There were a LOT of names on the memorial, probably close to a hundred.
Railroad bridge over the Talkeetna River
Confluence of the Sustina, Chultina, and Talkeetna Rivers
Dinner tonight was at the Denali Brewing Company. I had short ribs braised in swarzbier, and Tom had a massive cheeseburger. Everything was great!
Look out behind you, Tom!
Jana at the brewpub
Tom
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