{"id":22427,"date":"2019-06-16T08:10:54","date_gmt":"2019-06-16T14:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22427"},"modified":"2022-01-15T15:05:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T22:05:37","slug":"on-the-alpine-ridge-trail-to-see-the-grewingk-glacier-kachemak-bay-state-park-alaska-8-31-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22427","title":{"rendered":"On the Alpine Ridge Trail to see the Grewingk Glacier, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-31-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 28 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

5:50 AM, Anchor Point – <\/em>Still dark and windy out, too dark to see the ocean, but Lupe could hear it.\u00a0 A quick step outside confirmed that it wasn’t as windy as it had been yesterday.\u00a0 Better get ready, then get to Mako’s!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP piled back into the G6 and headed for Homer.<\/p>\n

7:30 AM, Homer Spit<\/em> – Lupe strolled in the door at Mako’s Water Taxi<\/strong><\/span><\/a> just as they opened.\u00a0 Yesterday it had been so windy that the taxis hadn’t been running, but this morning it was a different story.\u00a0 Not only were the taxis running, but several other passengers already had reservations to take the same trip across Kachemak Bay to the Saddle trailhead Lupe was hoping to get to.\u00a0 The 2 passenger minimum was already met.<\/p>\n

Fantastic!\u00a0 SPHP paid the $80.33 round trip fare (taxes and fees included, plus Dingoes ride free!)<\/em>, and Lupe and SPHP were on their way down to the docks looking for the Smokey Bay landing craft.\u00a0 After an extensive search, it turned out that the Smokey Bay had been the very first boat on the L.\u00a0 Doh!\u00a0 Departure was at 8:00 AM sharp, only minutes from now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster ready to set sail aboard Mako’s Smokey Bay<\/strong> landing craft.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
You ready, SPHP? 7:55 AM! We better get aboard.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four other passengers plus Skipper Gabe climbed aboard the Smokey Bay in addition to Lupe and SPHP.\u00a0 The rest of them went inside the heated cabin, but it wasn’t that cold out, so Lupe and SPHP stayed up front.\u00a0 Gabe had the Smokey Bay underway almost immediately.<\/p>\n

This was still a breezy day, and the seas were a bit rough as the Smokey Bay raced across Kachemak Bay.\u00a0 Occasionally the landing craft came down hard on a wave.\u00a0 Lupe was a bit concerned at times, but if she was going to be a sea-faring Dingo, she knew she had to get used to it.\u00a0 As long as she didn’t get seasick, or go Dingo overboard, it was going to be OK.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP seemed to think this was all great fun!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing Kachemak Bay<\/strong> on the way to the Saddle trailhead in Halibut Cove.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Is this bouncing normal? Please tell me we’re not going to sink!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Half an hour after leaving the Homer Spit, everyone was disembarking at the Saddle trailhead in Halibut Cove.\u00a0 Lupe was safe and sound on damp ground again, at a beach guarded by a battalion of rotting logs.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was back in Kachemak Bay State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for the first time since she’d been to Grace Ridge<\/strong><\/span><\/a> 2 years ago!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Here we are, back in Kachemak Bay State Park at the Saddle trailhead<\/strong> on Halibut Cove!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the beach at the Saddle trailhead<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Skipper Gabe departed in the Smokey Bay.\u00a0 No facilities here, except a steep wooden stairway that led up into the forest.\u00a0 The stairs were the start of the Saddle trail, and everyone headed that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Halibut Cove<\/strong> from the stairs at the start of the Saddle trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the top of the stairs, a log bridge with wide railings came next.\u00a0 After the bridge, the Saddle trail switchbacked 0.4 mile up a steep slope at a comfortable rate.\u00a0 The Saddle trail started leveling out, and Lupe came to a trail junction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is kind of an interesting start to the Saddle trail, isn’t it? I’m liking this!<\/em> Looper on the bridge beyond the top of the stairs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the Saddle trail switchbacks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Saddle trail continued over a pass on its way to the Glacier Lake trail another 0.6 mile away.\u00a0 Everyone else had already disappeared in that direction, but Glacier Lake wasn’t where Lupe was going.\u00a0 The American Dingo was on her way to Alpine Ridge to see the Grewingk Glacier!\u00a0 To get there, she needed to take the Lagoon Trail instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction of the Saddle and Lagoon trails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Lagoon trail was narrower and more overgrown than the popular Saddle trail, but Lupe had no problem following it.\u00a0 After climbing fairly steeply for 0.3 mile on the Lagoon trail, she came to another intersection, this time with the Alpine Ridge trail, which was what Loop was actually looking for.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of Halibut Cove<\/strong> from the Lagoon trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trail system map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This Lagoon trail is kind of jungley, isn’t it?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the junction of the Lagoon and Alpine Ridge trails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Alpine Ridge trail began with a steep set of cut log steps.\u00a0 Beyond the steps, the trail climbed aggressively through thick vegetation.\u00a0 Trees and large bushes hid all views, and tall grasses overhung the trail to such an extent that sometimes SPHP could barely see it.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Loopster traveled through what amounted to a grass tunnel.\u00a0 A great profusion of ferns grew in some places, creating a forgotten, prehistoric feel.<\/p>\n

If this jungle had been wet, Lupe would have been absolutely soaked in no time.\u00a0 Perhaps worse, the steep trail would have been extremely slick.\u00a0 Fortunately, the Alpine Ridge trail was merely damp today.\u00a0 Hard-packed dirt provided decent traction, except at the very steepest points.<\/p>\n

The trail went on for a while, and Lupe eventually came to a big fallen tree.\u00a0 She leapt up on top of it, then over, and quickly came to a 35 foot long rope hanging down an exceptionally steep slope.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t need the rope, but SPHP found it most helpful.\u00a0 Once beyond the rope, Looper finally began to get glimpses of distant views.<\/p>\n

At first the views were always back toward Halibut Cove, or a high point NW of the pass the Saddle trail went over.\u00a0 Eventually, though, a higher part of Alpine Ridge could be seen ahead.\u00a0 Somewhat discouragingly, it was all heavily forested, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The jungle continues on the Alpine Ridge trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the huge fallen tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the ferns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A rare opening with a view on the first part of the Alpine Ridge trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Brilliant berries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A higher part of Alpine Ridge<\/strong> appears ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Considerably farther on, the Carolina Dog came to three more ropes in quick succession.\u00a0 These ropes weren’t as long as the first rope had been, but still provided SPHP with essential assistance at super steep spots.\u00a0 Despite the ropes, overall the trail was no longer as steep as earlier on.\u00a0 Loop came to level sections, and even dips, but the trail always resumed its ascent of Alpine Ridge, often gaining elevation in big chunks.<\/p>\n

By now, Lupe was getting more frequent views, and was high enough to see Kachemak Bay and the Homer Spit.\u00a0 Sometimes Grewingk Glacier Lake and the Grewingk Creek delta could be seen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of the short ropes on a slope that is much steeper than it looks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kachemak Bay<\/strong> and the Homer Spit<\/strong> (Center). Halibut Cove<\/strong> is in the foreground. Photo looks WNW from the Alpine Ridge trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Grewingk Creek delta<\/strong> is on the R. The Saddle trail runs between the two high points on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe got higher, both the vegetation and geology began to change.\u00a0 Views opened up as trees and bushes faded away.\u00a0 Tundra, blueberries, and crowberries started taking over.\u00a0 Rock outcroppings appeared.\u00a0 At one point, SPHP was almost certain that the top of Grace Ridge, where Lupe had such a great time 2 years ago, was in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dingo on the rocks! Out in the open with the Grewingk Creek delta<\/strong> and Kachemak Bay<\/strong> in sight. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Grewingk Creek<\/strong> (L) and part of Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching much more open territory. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Above treeline. Kachemak Bay<\/strong> and the Homer Spit<\/strong> (R). Part of Halibut Lagoon<\/strong> (L). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Plump, sweet wild blueberries were abundant!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crowberries, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Part of Halibut Cove<\/strong> is seen just beyond Lupe. The Homer Spit<\/strong> is farther away protruding into Kachemak Bay<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
SPHP wondered if that wasn’t the top of Grace Ridge<\/strong> sticking up beyond the far ridge slightly R of Center? Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 2.5 miles on the Alpine Ridge trail, Lupe reached a major high point.\u00a0 Beyond a significant drop, she could see much more of Alpine Ridge ahead.\u00a0 SPHP recognized this view from literature seen online.\u00a0 This was it, the end of the official trail!\u00a0 Lupe had reached the alpine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper at High Point 2100<\/span><\/strong>, the end of the official Alpine Ridge trail. Part of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> is in view on the L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mountains and glaciers at the far end of the Halibut Creek canyon<\/strong> as seen from the end of the official Alpine Ridge trail. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reaching the end of the official trail, meant the fun part of exploring Alpine Ridge was about to begin!\u00a0 The whole point in coming up Alpine Ridge was to see the Grewingk Glacier.\u00a0 SPHP had high hopes that Lupe would be able to go all the way to the 3,800 foot level where she ought to have an absolutely tremendous view of a huge expanse of the glacier.\u00a0 Maybe Looper would even see part of the massive icefield from which the Grewingk and many other glaciers originate?<\/p>\n

However, the 3,800 foot level was still more than 3 miles away.\u00a0 After a short rest at High Point 2100<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe and SPHP pressed on.\u00a0 An unofficial trail led E down into the lower region the Carolina Dog had to cross in order to continue farther up Alpine Ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set off on the unofficial trail going farther E. The hope was that Lupe could get to the 3,800 foot level on Alpine Ridge, about a mile beyond the high point seen ahead, which is only about 3,500 feet. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t seen anyone since leaving the Saddle trail, but suddenly voices were heard.\u00a0 Two men with heavy packs appeared, one of them dragging an orange plastic sled like a child would use.\u00a0 SPHP asked if he’d been sledding somewhere way up on Alpine Ridge, and he just laughed.<\/p>\n

They had found the sled.\u00a0 The men were geologists doing a study on the stability of Alpine Ridge.\u00a0 The guy with the sled explained that in 1967 a portion of Alpine Ridge had collapsed onto the Grewingk Glacier, and proceeded to slide down into Grewingk Glacier Lake creating a 200 foot high tsunami.\u00a0 (Mental note: Don’t camp by the lakeshore.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Even without doing any geological stability study, that seemed to SPHP like sort of a big clue that maybe Alpine Ridge wasn’t all that stable.\u00a0 At any rate, the geologists had found more evidence of instability, the most dramatic of which was a 40 foot deep crack at a high point much farther up the ridge.\u00a0 They were now heading down to Grewingk Glacier Lake, and then over to the Saddle trailhead to be picked up by Mako later in the day.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe would see them again?<\/p>\n

The geologists went on, and so did Lupe.\u00a0 She passed near a mostly dried up tarn on the way to the next big climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near what was left of the tarn. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing the tarn, the trail faded away, and Lupe turned N.\u00a0 SPHP thought the Carolina Dog ought to go see the Grewingk Glacier from the N edge of Alpine Ridge before proceeding higher.\u00a0 However, after Loop crossed one minor ridge on the way N, only to see yet another valley with another ridge beyond it, that notion was abandoned for now.<\/p>\n

May as well get with it, and start climbing!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After going N over a minor ridge, all Lupe saw was another little valley with another ridge beyond it. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The beautiful tundra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So up Lupe went, higher and higher!\u00a0 This was interesting territory.\u00a0 Steep, especially at first, but all open and rolling.\u00a0 The easiest route up was toward the SE.\u00a0 Though the Grewingk Glacier was completely out of sight, hidden in a deep canyon to the N, Lupe did have some tremendous views.\u00a0 Loop kept going until she reached the 3,500 foot high point she had seen from the end of the official trail.<\/p>\n

High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> turned out to be the location of the big 40 foot crack in Alpine Ridge that the geologists had been talking about.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Making good progress toward High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading higher. Loopster would ultimately go up to High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> (Center) from the R. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Grewingk Glacier is hidden deep in the canyon on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back. High Point 2100<\/span><\/strong> where the official trail ends is in shadow beyond Loop. Part of Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on icebergs in Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The big crack up at High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> can be seen from here. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper next to the crack. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe could see a broad, rolling area still ahead to the SE.\u00a0 This region was not steep at all, an easy trek toward moderately higher hills in the distance.\u00a0 Exploring that area looked like a lot of fun, and Lupe needed to go that way, if she was ever going to get to the 3,800 foot level, as SPHP still hoped.\u00a0 However, first she took a look around.<\/p>\n

30 feet NW, a pipe was sticking out of the ground.\u00a0 Upon inspection, a survey marker was on top.\u00a0 Not too surprising, since the geologists had mentioned a marker.<\/p>\n

The most dramatic thing Lupe saw from High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> was off to the N.\u00a0 Lower down, but fairly close by, a hill sloped skyward before ending abruptly at a gargantuan cliff that fell away into the Grewingk Glacier canyon.\u00a0 The view from that broken hill ought to be amazing!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Ahead is a rolling region that looks like a lot of fun to explore. The rounded hill on the L by the snowbank is High Point 3647<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This survey marker was 30 feet NW of the High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP set off for the dramatic hill.\u00a0 However, by the time Loop reached the saddle leading to it, SPHP chickened out.\u00a0 The brink of such a formidable precipice might be more terrifying than amazing.\u00a0 Going to it suddenly seemed unnecessary.\u00a0 A bit lower and farther E was a big fairly level area where Lupe ought to be able to see the Grewingk Glacier just fine.<\/p>\n

Ever since Lupe had started her climb to High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>, a steady 10 mph breeze out of the W had been bringing an endless procession of clouds over Alpine Ridge.\u00a0 At times High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> had been in fog.\u00a0 As Lupe headed down to the area E of the dramatic broken hill, fog came rolling in again.\u00a0 For a short while, Loop actually had a dim view of the toe of the Grewingk Glacier down in the canyon, but it soon vanished.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way down from High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> to the dramatic hill (L). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The dimly perceived toe of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> is far below Lupe. Dramatic hill on the L. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Toe of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The dramatic hill (L) as fog fills the Grewingk Glacier canyon (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP expected the clouds to pass quickly on by to reveal the glacier again, so Lupe simply waited.\u00a0 Blue sky did reappear overhead, but the fog down in the canyon seemed trapped down there.\u00a0 When the situation persisted, SPHP began to realize that maybe Lupe had climbed too high?\u00a0 If Loopster was ever going to get a decent look at the Grewingk Glacier, she might have to lose elevation!<\/p>\n

That was a frustrating thought.\u00a0 What to do?\u00a0 Still more than a mile away, Lupe could see High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong> from here, the place SPHP had been thinking of as her ultimate destination.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong> is far beyond Lupe. High Point 3647<\/span><\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
I can sort of see the glacier now, SPHP!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Blue skies over High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Meanwhile, the Grewingk Glacier canyon remains full of fog. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Uncertain what to do next, Lupe and SPHP returned to High Point 3500.\u00a0 Might as well enjoy the views up here rather than stare into fog.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop returns to High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The crack at High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong> from High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Lupe is standing by the pipe with the survey marker. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
High Point 2100<\/span><\/strong> where the official trail ends is in front of Halibut Cove<\/strong> beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW back down Alpine Ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two good reasons existed not to go any farther.\u00a0 Clouds might settle in at any moment ruining the views, and time was becoming an issue.\u00a0 Even so, it was hard to turn back.\u00a0 So hard that Lupe didn’t!\u00a0 Instead, the American Dingo headed SE from High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>, ultimately reaching the 3600 foot level.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse into the Halibut Creek canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Roaming high on Alpine Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the 3600 foot level, Lupe could see glaciers among the mountains at the upper end of Halibut Creek canyon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Upper end of Halibut Creek canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper at 3,600 feet on Alpine Ridge<\/strong>. At least she’s got a glacier view, even if it isn’t the Grewingk Glacier. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glaciers at the upper end of Halibut Creek canyon with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, for a clearer day, and a few hours more!\u00a0 High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong> was still a mile away.\u00a0 Lupe could see it off to the E.\u00a0 The terrain between here and there looked so easy and enticing to explore!\u00a0 Sadly, though, this was it.\u00a0 Clouds kept sailing by only slightly overhead, threatening to envelop this upper portion of Alpine Ridge in fog.\u00a0 Even if the skies had been clear, Lupe needed to be back at the Saddle trailhead by 6:30 PM for pickup by Mako’s, and time was running out.<\/p>\n

For a few moments, Lupe and SPHP gazed wistfully at High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong>, the long sought goal beyond attainment.\u00a0 Then, with great reluctance, the Carolina Dog turned and headed back toward High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop still near the 3600 foot level on Alpine Ridge<\/strong>. High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong> is in the distance beyond her. High Point 3647<\/span><\/strong> is on the L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Halibut Creek canyon<\/strong> and part of Halibut Lagoon<\/strong> are on the L. Kachemak Bay<\/strong> is in the distance. High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks back to the WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Similar view with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way back to High Point 3500<\/span><\/strong> (L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went past High Point 3500 again, but did not return to its summit.\u00a0 Instead, she descended the long, rolling, progressively steeper slope to the area where she had abandoned her earlier attempt to head N to see the Grewingk Glacier.\u00a0 Staying as far E as possible along the base of the higher ground, Lupe again turned N traveling through the little valley she had seen earlier.<\/p>\n

Climbing over the next minor ridge, Looper finally came to her fabulous view of the Grewingk Glacier.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Hah! We should have stuck with it, and come here to begin with, SPHP. This is a much better view of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> than we had from higher up!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the next little while, Lupe and SPHP explored W along the S rim of the Grewingk Glacier canyon, going from one viewpoint to the next.\u00a0 The views actually improved somewhat as Loop got a little farther from the glacier.\u00a0 She also could see more of Grewingk Glacier Lake.<\/p>\n

Coming down here had been the right thing to do!\u00a0 As low as the clouds were now, if Lupe had gone on to High Point 3800, she wouldn’t have seen much of anything but fog.\u00a0 Although it would have been nice to have had more sun, at least down here, the Carolina Dog did get to enjoy some pretty spectacular views of the Grewingk Glacier.\u00a0 After all, she was still 1,500 to 2,000 feet above it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong> and the creek delta beyond it. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At another vantage point overlooking the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S rim of the canyon. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the next high point along the rim seen in the previous photo. Looking ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S rim of the canyon (L) and Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe got far enough W, she could see not only a long stretch of the Grewingk Glacier, but even the toe where it reached Grewingk Glacier Lake.\u00a0 The far E end of the glacier disappeared up into the clouds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop with a fantastic view of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> all the way down to where the toe reaches the lake. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The E end of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> (R) disappeared up into the clouds!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Toe of the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploring from high point to high point along the S rim of the canyon was addictive.\u00a0 With slightly different perspectives from each spot, the Grewingk Glacier views were fantastic!\u00a0 At the last high point, Lupe could see nearly all of Grewingk Glacier Lake, and a number of icebergs calved off the glacier.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Another look toward the E end of the glacier. This time with a bit more help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s best view yet of Grewingk Glacier Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Icebergs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final look at the Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> from Alpine Ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terrain along the S rim eventually started dropping more steeply to the W, putting an end to the glacier views as Lupe was forced detour a little away from the edge.\u00a0 While Lupe took a break sitting on the tundra, SPHP finally thought to check the camera for the time.<\/p>\n

What!?\u00a0 7:08 PM!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Lupe had already missed her scheduled 6:30 PM pickup by Mako’s water taxi at the Saddle trailhead nearly 40 minutes ago!\u00a0 SPHP was shocked.\u00a0 Yeah, Loopster had been up on Alpine Ridge quite a while, and time does fly when you’re having fun, but it didn’t seem like it could possibly be that late.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Unaware of the sudden time crisis, Lupe sits calmly half-dozing on the tundra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No wait.\u00a0 It wasn’t 7:08 PM at all.\u00a0 SPHP was forgetting about the time zone differential.\u00a0 Whew!\u00a0 5:08 PM.\u00a0 That’s what it was!\u00a0 Looper still had an hour and 22 minutes to get back to the Saddle trailhead.<\/p>\n

Look alive, Looper!\u00a0 Let’s hit it!\u00a0 Suddenly we’re in one helluva rush!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was off like a shot, thrilled that apparently something exciting was about to take place.\u00a0 Of course, she wasn’t the problem.\u00a0 SPHP was.\u00a0 Lupe could get to the trailhead easily enough with time to spare.\u00a0 However, as SPHP did the mental calculations, it was clear that there was no way SPHP could.<\/p>\n

Loopster was still more than a mile from the end of the official Alpine Ridge trail, which was 2.5 miles long.\u00a0 Then came another 0.3 mile on the Lagoon Trail, plus 0.4 mile on the Saddle trail.\u00a0 So 4.2+ miles to go while losing 2,500 feet of elevation.\u00a0 Not going to happen.\u00a0 Might be close, though.\u00a0 If Mako’s ran just a bit late, maybe!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
1 hour and 22 minutes to get back to the Saddle trailhead from here! High Point 2100<\/span><\/strong> where the official Alpine Ridge trail ends (begins on the way back) is in the distance straight out from Lupe’s head. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hey! I’ll race you back, SPHP! Whad’ya say? Go ahead, I’ll give you a head start! ….. Oh, you’re just too funny, aren’t you Loop? Mangy Dingo!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So the race was on!\u00a0 No more stopping for views, blueberries, or even to catch breath, since it was nearly all downhill.\u00a0 Back to the trail, into the jungle, down the ropes, over the fallen tree, on and on it went.\u00a0 Once in a while, a moment taken to check the time.\u00a0 Oh, it was going to be close!\u00a0 Late, but not by much.<\/p>\n

As the end drew near, SPHP’s confidence began to soar.\u00a0 Almost there!<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the drone of an engine approaching.\u00a0 Mako’s was on the way!\u00a0 Oh, no!\u00a0 They were early!\u00a0 After a few minutes, the engine went silent.\u00a0 Mako’s must already be at the trailhead.\u00a0 Surely, they would wait a little?<\/p>\n

6:30 PM<\/em> – As Loop and SPHP raced down the switchbacks, two young women coming up the Saddle trail looked nervous.\u00a0 They wanted to know if Lupe had seen any bears?\u00a0 Nope, not a one.\u00a0 Good luck, and have fun!\u00a0 Bye!\u00a0 <\/em>That was just about SPHP’s entire helpful response.\u00a0 Down, down, down!<\/p>\n

At 6:33 PM, the engine roared back to life.\u00a0 At 6:36 PM, Lupe arrived back at the Saddle trailhead.\u00a0 A water taxi was purring away, already getting close to Kachemak Bay beyond Halibut Cove.\u00a0 Seriously?\u00a0 Mako’s had cut Lupe a whole 3 minutes of slack before departing?<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Late is late.\u00a0 Not their fault.\u00a0 No doubt Mako’s would return sooner or later.\u00a0 Late customers must happen a lot in their line of work.\u00a0 No doubt a constant aggravation for them.\u00a0 However, it would be real nice if they returned sometime today.\u00a0 SPHP hadn’t come equipped to spend the night.<\/p>\n

Nothing to do, but wait.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the Saddle trailhead didn’t look anything at all like it did this morning.\u00a0 The tide had come in.\u00a0 The beach and its battalion of rotting logs was inundated!\u00a0 Only rocks to sit on.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP got as comfortable as possible.\u00a0 After the big race to get off Alpine Ridge, complete inaction.\u00a0 Gorgeous here, though.\u00a0 Fun just watching the blue waves of Halibut Cove ripple in.<\/p>\n

Alaska!\u00a0 So freakin’ awesome!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
So, what happened here, SPHP? Did Mako’s take the beach with them? Where is it?<\/em> At the transformed Saddle trailhead on Halibut Cove<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Waiting at Halibut Cove<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly an hour went by.\u00a0 Lupe heard it first – an engine.\u00a0 Skipper Gabe and the Smokey Bay!\u00a0 They were coming back!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Smokey Bay water taxi returns to Halibut Cove<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the Smokey Bay arrived, SPHP apologized to Gabe for being late, forcing him to come back for Lupe.<\/p>\n

Huh?\u00a0 Lupe’s fine.\u00a0 6:30 PM right now.<\/em><\/p>\n

What?\u00a0 It finally sank in.\u00a0 The camera was practically brand new, bought only days ago in Anchorage to replace the one that died in the rain at Hope Point.\u00a0 SPHP had set the time on it incorrectly.\u00a0 The camera was an hour off.\u00a0 Lupe had made it back to the trailhead an hour early!\u00a0 It had only been 4:08 PM when the panic began, not 5:08 PM.<\/p>\n

Well, shucks.\u00a0 Could have spent nearly another hour up on Alpine Ridge.\u00a0 All’s well that ends well, though.\u00a0 At least Lupe wasn’t going to have to spend the night at the Saddle trailhead.<\/p>\n

Lupe was the first one aboard the Smokey Bay, but others were coming.\u00a0 Within minutes, the two geologists appeared with all their gear.\u00a0 The two young women hadn’t been devoured by bears, and were already back from a quick hike to see Grewingk Glacier Lake.\u00a0 Gabe said the reason they’d been nervous was that they’d had to wait for a black bear to leave the Saddle trailhead before he could drop them off!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A sea-faring Dingo back aboard the Smokey Bay in Halibut Cove<\/strong> awaiting a return voyage to the Homer Spit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back to the Homer Spit, Lupe and SPHP sat in the cab of the Smokey Bay with everyone else.\u00a0 The conversation was lighthearted and fun.\u00a0 Almost too soon, the American Dingo was back at the spit, and everyone was saying good-bye and going their separate ways.<\/p>\n

Lupe never did get to High Point 3800<\/span><\/strong>, but she did see the Grewingk Glacier from Alpine Ridge, having explored far beyond the minimum necessary to do so.\u00a0 No complaints.\u00a0 Alpine Ridge had been an incredible, memorable day in the magnificent Alaskan wilderness of Kachemak Bay State Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Grewingk Glacier<\/strong> from Alpine Ridge, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska 8-31-18<\/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\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mako’s Water Taxi<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Kachemak Bay State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Kachemak Ba<\/span><\/strong>y State Park Brochure & Map<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Alpine Ridge Trail Fact Sheet & Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Poot Peak, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (9-1-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Sailing the North Pacific Ocean to Grace Ridge, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-26-16)<\/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 28 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 5:50 AM, Anchor Point – Still dark and windy out, too dark to see the ocean, but Lupe could hear it.\u00a0 A quick step outside confirmed that it wasn’t as windy as it had been yesterday.\u00a0 Better get ready, then get … Continue reading On the Alpine Ridge Trail to see the Grewingk Glacier, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-31-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22415,"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":[704,1133,105,106,26,1134,1132,750,104],"class_list":["post-22427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-alpine-ridge","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-grewingk-glacier","tag-homer","tag-kachemak-bay-state-park","tag-lupe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1612.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\/22427","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=22427"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36614,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22427\/revisions\/36614"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}