Mining is not what it used to be Signs warn hikers not to explore the toxic remnants of the historic mine. Apparently, it will be cleaned up.

As we descended into the clouds, we saw remnants of historic mines. #CrowPass Trail.

#backpacking #photography #Alaska #Chugach #NationalForest #mining #historicsite
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Above the clouds Descending to Girdwood from Crow Pass on the Iditarod National Historic Trail (Crow Pass Trail).

The start of our hike out on Day 4. We would descend into the clouds here on the #CrowPass Trail.

The #backpacking route overlaps the #Iditarod #NationalHistoricTrail (not the modern race) in various places.

#Chugach #StatePark and #NationalForest #USFS, #Alaska. #photography
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Tent at Crow Pass Not a bad campsite. This was our first trip with that tent, and it performed very well. It had half the weight of its predecessor, but with "enough" space for us. It's also "warm enough." Tradeoffs...

Our tent at #CrystalLake, just below #CrowPass. There were some other tents in view at higher elevations on smaller lakes - but more #mountaingoats than people.

#Chugach #NationalForest, #Alaska.

#backpacking #photography
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Goat trail sunset - HSS! - Explored On the Chugach National Forest side of Crow Pass, Alaska. Sliding to accentuate the sunset light and shadow. Explored # 421 on 21 March 2021. Thank you everyone for your favorites and kind comments! ...

Some lucky timing at #CrowPass - #mountaingoats moving along a ridge in shadow, against a well-lit background at #sunset.

We had been in the #StatePark for three days, but this is #Chugach #NationalForest, #Alaska. #USFS #ForestService
#photography #backpacking #wildlife #nature
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Glacier for Lunch On a backpacking trip on part of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, we enjoyed this view of Raven Glacier while we ate lunch. This is in Chugach State Park, just north of Crow Pass.

#RavenGlacier dominated the first half of our third day on the #CrowPass Trail. It is much larger than it seems to be at this distance.

We're also on the #Iditarod #NationalHistoricTrail here.

#Chugach #StatePark #Alaska

#photography #backpacking #nature #glacier
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Bridge at Raven Gorge Crow Pass Trail (part of Iditarod National Historic Trail), Chugach State Park, Alaska, USA.

This the main drop of #RavenFalls; click through if Bluesky doesn't show the vertical orientation. #RavenGorge is a highlight of the middle stretch of the #CrowPass Trail in #ChugachMountains.

#backpacking #photography #Alaska #outdoors
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After fording #EagleRiver, you ascend through chest-to-head-high brush, including #fireweed like these. It's weird not to see your feet (or trail) while hiking a clear route.

On the way to #RavenGorge, #CrowPass Trail, #Chugach #StatePark.
#photography #backpacking
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Looking back The Eagle River ford. You can see the post on the other side -- that's where we started. As with any Alaskan river, you are well advised to cross early in the day, before the glacial runoff raises ri...

When you meet people on the #CrowPass Trail, everyone talks about the #EagleRiver #ford. We have just crossed the glacial-cold waters. Our feet are numb.

Look for the white post where the ford starts. Beautiful country.
#backpacking #Alaska #ChugachMountains #photography
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Seems legit The map shows this crossing as a *bridge* - because, Alaska. My belt got wet, but the current was mostly mid-thigh. Plus, it was easier than the Eagle River ford.

This apparently counts as a #bridge if you're #backpacking in #Alaska. It's part of the #CrowPass Trail.

You hold onto the ropes for balance. This crossing was easier than the next one, the #EagleRiver #ford.

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Eagle River Sunset At this latitude (over 60 degrees north), the long summer days mean that you see the sun moving in a circle through the sky. This makes sunrise and sunset more complicated than just watching the sun ...

#Sunset from our camp on the Eagle River, our first night on the #CrowPass Trail, #Chugach #StatePark, #Alaska.

We had a little darkness in the middle of the night, but "sunset" mostly involves the sun staying low in the sky.

#photography #backpacking #outdoors
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Dinner Theater We had our first dinner on a sandbar on the Eagle River, at a late hour more typical of a Mediterranean country.

We didn't hit trail until about 5:00pm - but we still had usable light after 11:00pm this far north near #Anchorage #Alaska.

Dinner views included warm light before #sunset and the start of shadows on the #ChugachMountains. #CrowPass Trail.

#backpacking #photography #stateparks
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Eagle River Overlook A panoramic view of the Eagle River, our friend for about twelve miles (20 km) at the start of our backpacking journey.

After leaving the nature trails at #EagleRiver, we mostly stayed close to the river itself (not the suburb). A classic #Chugach scene.

The #CrowPass Trail overlaps with the #Iditarod #NHT in various places, though modern race starts in Anchorage.
#backpacking #photography #Alaska
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Enjoy your weekend!

Mountain goats at #CrowPass #ChugachStatePark #Alaska.