{"id":22244,"date":"2019-06-08T08:10:55","date_gmt":"2019-06-08T14:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22244"},"modified":"2019-06-12T08:24:48","modified_gmt":"2019-06-12T14:24:48","slug":"on-off-the-crow-pass-trail-to-see-the-raven-glacier-chugach-mountains-alaska-8-29-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22244","title":{"rendered":"On & Off the Crow Pass Trail to see the Raven Glacier, Chugach Mountains, Alaska (8-29-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 26 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

9:00 AM<\/em> – After getting back late from a fantastic day on Slaughter Ridge yesterday, Lupe and SPHP had both slept long and hard.\u00a0 Too long!\u00a0 The sun had been up for hours!\u00a0 The sky was an awesome brilliant blue, too.\u00a0 Can’t waste this day, but where should Loop go next?\u00a0 It was already too late to get anything done in Homer today, where the Carolina Dog was supposedly headed.\u00a0 Should have been there bright and early for that.<\/p>\n

Seemed crazy to go the opposite direction, and leave the Kenai Peninsula again, but of all the options within range, Crow Pass near Girdwood was highest on the list of priorities.\u00a0 Even though that meant more than a 2 hour drive, Lupe would still have time to go see the Raven Glacier.<\/p>\n

Fine!\u00a0 Despite the obvious inefficiency, decision made.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP hit the road.<\/p>\n

11:34 AM, 53\u00b0F<\/em> – 6 miles from where Crow Creek Road left the Alyeska Highway, it crossed a second bridge over Crow Creek, and immediately ended at a big trailhead.\u00a0 Lots of vehicles here, but still plenty of room to park the G6.\u00a0 Busy place.\u00a0 About to get busier, too!\u00a0 An American Dingo had arrived!\u00a0 SPHP quickly checked the posted map, then Looper was on her way to Crow Pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Map posted at the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting out, the Crow Pass trail was lined with tall bushes, so Lupe was usually in the shade.\u00a0 The trail switchbacked at an easy to moderate pace up an initial slope, but Loop couldn’t see much.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Easy as pie so far!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The switchbacks didn’t go on too long.\u00a0 About the time they ended, Lupe got her first look back down the Crow Creek valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lower Crow Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The valley curved NNE (R), and the trail straightened out, staying up on the E side of the valley far above unseen Crow Creek.\u00a0 Trees and bushes began to thin out.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was out in the open where she could see both across the valley, and what was up ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking W across the valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting to get some views farther up Crow Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As shade became scarce, Lupe started feeling hot in the warm sunshine.\u00a0 She began taking little breaks wherever she could find a bit of shade.\u00a0 Within a few minutes, she would be ready to press on again.<\/p>\n

1.7 miles from the trailhead, Loop reached a junction.\u00a0 A side trail went to mine ruins, which apparently weren’t too far away.\u00a0 Still climbing, the main trail made a big switchback to the SE.\u00a0 SPHP encouraged Lupe to pose next to the sign at the junction, but she preferred to rest in the shade instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The sign at the junction 1.7 miles from the trailhead. Lupe skipped going to the mine, which she claimed was just a hole in the ground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing near the trail junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving the junction, Lupe stuck with the main trail to Crow Pass.\u00a0 The big switchback to the SE was soon over and done with, and the trail turned N again.\u00a0 Loop was higher than ever on the E side of the valley now, and could see the trail going steadily higher for quite a long way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Such a nice trail! No obstacles or steep stuff, and the scenery is getting better all the time!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe got higher, the Crow Pass trail began crossing slopes of scree.\u00a0 The rate of climb hardly varied, always easy to moderate, and the trail remained in great condition.\u00a0 Lupe was totally out in the open now, and had terrific views of the whole valley.\u00a0 Cascades on Crow Creek could be seen ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting to the rocky part now, but look how great the trail still is!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cascades on Crow Creek<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nice waterfalls! Too bad we can’t see them a little better.<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail became a bit rougher as the rocks increased in size.\u00a0 Near the upper end of the valley, two tributaries of Crow Creek came cascading down across the trail from much higher up.\u00a0 Both streams had decent flow, but were spread out 15 to 20 feet wide at the fords, so they weren’t deep.\u00a0 Easy rock hops for SPHP.\u00a0 Lupe simply waded across.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog didn’t mind these opportunities to get cold drinks, and cool her hot paws off, at all!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The trail became a bit rougher in the upper valley, but was still an easy march. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gotta love this cold, clear water, fresh from some hidden glacier!<\/em> Lupe at the first stream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
One stream down, one more to go! The Crow Pass region begins just above the green slopes ahead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So pretty! And the rushing water is music to my big, soft Dingo ears!<\/em> Looper by the second stream. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crow Creek valley<\/strong> from the second ford. Raggedtop Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,215 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) at the far end. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A look back at Jewel Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,850 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) after crossing the second stream. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Crow Pass trail coming up the Crow Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the second stream, the trail curved W as it headed toward the upper lip of the valley, which wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 On a grassy shelf beyond Crow Creek, another fan of the mountains was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe neared the start of the Crow Pass region, this lone mountain goat roamed a slope on the far side of Crow Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to climbing out of the valley. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe made it to the upper rim of the valley, the trail leveled out.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was now entering the Crow Pass region.\u00a0 To the W, the top of an A-frame cabin was in view.\u00a0 This cabin was about 3 miles from the trailhead, and sat on a slope near Crystal Lake.<\/p>\n

Loop couldn’t see much of Crystal Lake yet, but did have a great view of Crow Creek flowing toward the trail from it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the Crow Pass region, Crow Creek<\/strong> flows toward the trail from Crystal Lake. The top of an A-frame forest service cabin is in view. Peak<\/span> 5700<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (Center) is in the distance. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail didn’t go over to Crystal Lake, but did provide a better view of the lake as it headed NW before curving N.\u00a0 Lupe went by several giant cairns along the trail in this area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the Crow Pass region<\/strong> the trail heads NW a little way before curving N (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crystal Lake<\/strong> and one of several enormous cairns along the trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the trail headed N leaving Crystal Lake behind, Lupe was in a wide valley E of a stream that was both very broad and shallow.\u00a0 She was gaining elevation again, but at a snail’s pace.\u00a0 The trail eventually crossed the shallow stream just before reaching a tiny pond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the wide valley near the shallow stream. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The trail crosses the stream just ahead. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the tiny pond. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About 0.5 mile from the cabin, Lupe reached the high point of Crow Pass, marked by a faded sign.\u00a0 She could now see part of the Raven Glacier, and beyond the glacier was a great view of Rook Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,685 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is it! The high point of Crow Pass!<\/em> Rook Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only a small portion of the Raven Glacier was in sight from the summit of Crow Pass.\u00a0 However, it seemed clear that if Lupe would keep going a little way N down the other side of the pass, she would be able to see much more.\u00a0 So the Carolina Dog continued to a lower point where there was a large cairn.\u00a0 From this cairn, considerably more of the glacier was in view, including the toe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By going a little farther over the pass, Lupe reached this big cairn, from which she could see much more of the Raven Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Toe of the Raven Glacier<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the glacier view was much improved from this cairn, it still looked like the view would get even better, if Lupe kept going farther.\u00a0 In sight 100 feet lower, the trail led to a ridge of dark rock where another cairn sat.\u00a0 The American Dingo ought to be able to see just about the whole glacier from down there!<\/p>\n

So away she went, stopping to frolic in a snow bank along the way.\u00a0 The trail dipped even a bit lower than the dark ridge just before reaching it, so she had to climb 20 feet to get up on top.<\/p>\n

Oh, yeah!\u00a0 This was the place to be!\u00a0 Coming down here was so totally worth it!\u00a0 Lupe had a fabulous view of the Raven Glacier, all the way from its origins high on Raven Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> clear down its entire length to the toe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the dark ridge with a tremendous view of the entire Raven Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the upper end of the glacier are North Raven Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Middle Raven Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,500 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lupe and SPHP took a break on the dark ridge, someone started yodeling from somewhere way up above Crow Pass.\u00a0 Whoever it was, did a good job, too.\u00a0 The yodeling sounded so awesome and appropriate here!\u00a0 In the background was the distant roar of a waterfall seen gushing forth from beneath the toe of the Raven Glacier.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A waterfall gushes forth from the toe of the Raven Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crevasses near the toe with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Raven Glacier<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Upper end of the Raven Glacier<\/strong> with lots of help from the telephoto lens. North Raven Peak<\/strong> (L) and Middle Raven Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was more to see from Crow Pass than just the Raven Glacier.\u00a0 Lupe also had a tremendous view of the huge Raven Creek valley to the N, which the Crow Pass trail continues down on its way to the Eagle River.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Raven Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This dark ridge with the superb view was as far on the Crow Pass trail as Lupe was going, though.\u00a0 Instead of going any farther down the trail, she intended to climb higher to explore more of the Crow Pass region.\u00a0 After a last look at the glorious Raven Glacier from the dark rock cairn, she headed back up the trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A final look at the Raven Glacier<\/strong> from the dark rock ridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once back to the sign at the Crow Pass summit, Lupe left the trail and headed ESE climbing a fairly steep 200 foot high slope up to a broad bench of rolling terrain.\u00a0 From up here, Lupe could see even more in some directions.\u00a0 She ventured first to high points toward the N end of the bench for a look around.<\/p>\n

The views of the Raven Creek valley were better than ever.\u00a0 On the other paw, although Lupe was closer to the Raven Glacier, see couldn’t see as much of it as from down at the dark ridge.\u00a0 However, another snowfield and Summit Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,350 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were now in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the bench looking ENE. Summit Mountain<\/strong> is the high point on the R. Part of the Raven Glacier<\/strong> is on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An even more spectacular view of the Raven Creek valley<\/strong>. Paradise Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,477 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the L. The dark ridge Lupe had been on earlier is down by the snowbank near the L edge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Raven Glacier<\/strong> from the bench. Rook Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,685 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Peak<\/span> 6400<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (Center), and North Raven Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the N end of the bench. Summit Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main reason Loopster had come up to the bench was to look for the Pass survey benchmark, which was supposed to be W of a tarn farther S.\u00a0 From the benchmark, Lupe ought to have a commanding view of Crystal Lake from above.\u00a0 After enjoying the views from the N end of the bench, Loop headed S looking for the tarn, and soon saw it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is going to be a snap! There’s the tarn on the L, so the Pass survey benchmark ought to be on that little hill to the R.<\/em> Raggedtop Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,215 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The tarn with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went right on down to the outlet stream at the W end of the tarn, and crossed it without the slightest difficulty, since it was bone dry.\u00a0 From there she headed SW up onto a small grassy ridge, and proceeded straight to the high point.\u00a0 SPHP fully expected her to come across the Pass survey benchmark here, but she didn’t.<\/p>\n

Despite exploring the entire N\/S length of this whole grassy ridge more than once, Lupe and SPHP never found the Pass benchmark.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Que sera, sera.\u00a0 Coming up here had still been worthwhile.\u00a0 Lupe had a great view of the whole Crow Pass region, and could see things she hadn’t been able to from down on the trail.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP lingered for a while taking in the serene beauty of Crow Pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, isn’t this gorgeous? American Dingoes love this sort of terrain!<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Impressive peaks on the horizon. Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Goat Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,450 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) from the S end of the bench. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Goat Mountain<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crystal Lake<\/strong> from the SW end of the bench. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look with a bit of help from the telephoto lens, The forest service cabin is down by the lake on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crystal Lake<\/strong> and an overview of the S part of the Crow Pass region<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Similar view looking SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the time came to go, Lupe left the S end of the bench working her way back down to the official Crow Pass trail.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog stopped briefly near Crow Creek for a final look at the Crow Pass region.\u00a0 What a fun, easy day coming to see the Raven Glacier had been!\u00a0 So incredibly beautiful!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By Crow Creek<\/strong> again. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And then it was downhill all the way, with a terrific view of the Crow Creek valley on a trail so easy it wasn’t necessary to think about anything at all other than enjoying this fabulous Alaskan day.<\/p>\n

During the return, Lupe was greatly excited to meet a fellow peakbagger on the trail.\u00a0 He was sort of a loner, though, and bounded away toward greener pastures where the solitude was unbroken.\u00a0 For a long way, Lupe kept tabs on him, and he returned the favor.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Another peakbagger on the Crow Pass trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading back down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6:00 PM, 60\u00b0F – <\/em>Lupe arrived back at the Crow Pass trailhead with plenty of time to get back to the Kenai Peninsula again.\u00a0 Awesome adventures in the Homer area were still ahead, if these fabulous blue skies could last.\u00a0 SPHP intended to drive the whole distance this evening, but ran into road construction by the Mystery Hills.<\/p>\n

By the time Loop made it to Soldotna, it was starting to rain, which put everything into question again.\u00a0 She might as well spend the night here, and wait to see what the morning would bring.\u00a0 (10:05 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Thanks for joining me on the Crow Pass trail<\/strong> to see the Raven Glacier<\/strong>! If you have time for another adventure, click the Next or Prior links. If not, hope to see you again soon!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Crow Pass Trail Information<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 26 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 9:00 AM – After getting back late from a fantastic day on Slaughter Ridge yesterday, Lupe and SPHP had both slept long and hard.\u00a0 Too long!\u00a0 The sun had been up for hours!\u00a0 The sky was an awesome brilliant blue, too.\u00a0 … Continue reading On & Off the Crow Pass Trail to see the Raven Glacier, Chugach Mountains, Alaska (8-29-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[997],"tags":[704,105,106,1130,1127,1131,1129,104,1128],"class_list":["post-22244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-chugach-national-forest","tag-crow-pass","tag-crow-pass-trail","tag-crystal-lake","tag-lupe","tag-raven-glacier"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1460.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22244"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23711,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22244\/revisions\/23711"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}