Tok, AK/Lake Kluane, YT/Dezadeash Lake, YT

August 1-5: To start out August, we drove from our pullout near Kenny Lake and headed down the road. We had to stop in Glenallen to pick up the sensors that Sean ordered. The morning started out foggy with drizzle and ended up a very nice, sunny day.

 

Near Tok, we encountered this moose and a couple more further down the road.

This time in Tok we stayed at Tundra RV Park, and it was nice and quiet, though there weren't any pancakes to toss... We were out running some errands when you could see a storm building just north of town. We managed to make it home and unload the truck before the storm unleashed. It continued to rain for most of the evening and part of the night. I finally made use of our Yak meat that we bought on the way to McCarthy and made Yak tips and rice for supper. The meat tasted similar to beef, but very lean and could have used a bit more time in the Instant Pot, as it was chewy.

The next day, we were itching to get out and be active. We decided to walk the multi-use path down to Mukluk Land (about 2 miles) to check out what it's all about. There were multiple interesting things to see there, including: putt putt golf course, an auto museum, snowmobile museum, bathtub garden, library, Alaska pipeline & mining equipment, gift shop and concession, etc. It was a bit overwhelming, but very interesting!

The next day, after getting fuel in Tok, we headed out on the Alaska Hwy with no particular destination because we had a couple of days to kill before our next reservation. As you can see in the top photo, there was construction for a large portion and there were still frost heaves to watch for. Before we knew, we were passing the US Border Station (bottom)... goodbye for now, Alaska.

Surprisingly, you pass a lot more miles before encountering the Canadian Border Station (bottom). The Canadians working the checkpoint asked few little questions and found us fit to proceed. The road is very desolate in this area and there are lots of frost heaves to dodge.

Then, we came to Beaver Creek, YT. This photo shows the area that we broke down at 12 years ago attempting to cross into mainland Alaska the very first time. Ah... the memories, lol!

Then, we hit this section of a poor excuse for a road. We were going dead slow, again... There was a "permafrost testing" area amongst all of the dirt roads and frost heaved pavement that was there in 2013. I guess they didn't learn anything helpful in that span of time, lol.

Sean was ready to stop driving after we got to better pavement and decided the pullout at Kluane Lake was going to be the stop for the night. I vividly remember our 2013 marathon trip to Anchorage and back to Whitehorse for a motorhome radiator, and stopping for a stretch and ball play with Molly at this very pullout. It is such a beautiful area.

The next morning, Hershey was complaining about not being able to swim in the lake (even though she did the evening before), but I was reassuring her that we would soon be at another lake. We past by some beautiful views of some Kluane NP mountains and Kluane Lake. There were sand dunes piled up that reminded us of home, lol. 

We made it to Haines Junction and stopped to top off fuel and seek out a treat at the local bakery "Village Bakery". 

 

Our plan was to go to Dezadeash Lake and hope to find a spot. Luckily, there was a perfect spot available and we quickly claimed it. The site was so beautiful with the fireweed surrounding the motorhome. There was a path directly behind the site that led to a fine rock beach. This was a hit with everyone! As the day progressed, the windier it became and soon there were waves crashing into the beach. We retreated into the motorhome and went on a long walk to explore the campground after the wind settled.

We tackled a trail to "Rock Glacier", which literally was a completely melted glacier with a lot of moraine (rocky layer) that was left behind. Very steep, but great views of Dezadeash Lake.

We were very hot after our hike and the lake was so calm and strikingly beautiful, so Sean and the pups decided to brave the water to cool down while I waded in the shallows. Later, we couldn't resist the chance to kayak on such a pretty lake, so we went exploring on the lake. Such a lovely day!

McCarthy Day 2 & 3 Adventure/Braving McCarthy Road once again!

July 30-31: After we had a great night of sleep, with the river noise being the perfect white noise, we hurried to care for the pups and get prepared for Day 2 Adventure!

After our guide picked us up at the footbridge, he drove us to the St. Elias Headquarters based in the Information Center for the Kennicott Mine. This is where the Root Glacier Full Day Hike is based out of. We are going to hike on a glacier!!! Our guide, Roy, fit us for crampons (which are vital for safe travel on the ice) and quickly went over some expectations of the day. We were going to meet a couple who were camping in the backcountry and they will be joining us for the full day hike.

View of Kennicott Glacier (white beyond the green patch in the center) with the moraine (dark rocky mounds) on the left and center. We are hiking on Root Glacier (center right).

Closer view of Kennicott Glacier.

Root Glacier trail.

Our guide, Roy, was very funny and easy to talk with. Sean and I very much enjoyed having him as our guide. Roy is in front of Sean in this picture.

Jumbo Creek

We picked up our 2 extras for the rest of the hike. They were from Lithuania and now living in Seattle. They were nice, but reserved and did not converse very much.

The start of Root Glacier (for us) is actually the toe of the glacier and merges with Kennicott Glacier on the left.

We donned our crampons and it took a while getting used to how to walk with them and not stab your ankle, lol.

Showing off my spikes!

Video of the sound the crampons make when hitting the surface of the glacier.

Glacier stream on top of the ice.

The pictures don't do the sights justice. It was so beautiful waking across this massive field of ice!

The Icefall in the background.

Peering over the side of a moulin, a large drain from the top of the glacier to many hundreds of feet down to the bottom of the glacier.

Roy and Sean climbing our next obstacle on the ice. 

Glacier stream.

Probably one of the best pictures I could get of the stream. the running water tends to blend in with the ice.

The ice blue pools are getting larger, as we continued.

Waterfall!

Video of the waterfall.

Roy telling us about some of the many facts he knew about Root Glacier.

Sean and I got very warm while hiking on the glacier. Our Lithuanian friends and Roy seemed entertained by the fact that we live in Texas, yet we were hot on the glacier, lol! I got so warm at one point, I was throwing glacier water on my head and neck to cool down. 

Roy showing each of us another large moulin. He always stayed close by so he could catch us if we peered too far in, lol.

What a cutie! He was toughing it out while battling his cold. We had lots of cough drops in tow.

Our resting stop for lunch, complete with couches!

Enjoying our PB&J sandwiches and taking in the views that surround us.

Roy made each of us a drink. Coffees and hot chocolate all around!

After lunch, I made the discovery of a very mysterious patch of moss. I thought maybe a bird or other animal dropped it. Turns out this moss is a creature that moves across the glacial ice and will congregate with other moss. This particular "glacial mice" was alone and quite large, which apparently is rare. There are a few studies about this phenomenon, but it isn't widely researched.

Sean crouching near a large glacial pool peering into its depths.

This became the sight of our Lithuanian friend becoming part of the Polar Bear Plunge Club!

He said was ready to get out as soon as he jumped in! He bundled up once again and we were onto the next part of our adventure.

This was the closest we were able to get to the Icefall. The closer we got, the more tremendously large it was becoming. 

Roy gladly made a picture of us, while the Lithuanian couple were making TikTok videos, lol.

Blue glacier ice just below the moraine (rocky surface).

Another large pool. No one jumped into this one!

Tunnel! 

A very zoomed in photo of the Icefall with the cloud shadows on it.

Anthills on the glacier (this was the biggest we saw) form when an ice melts around an insulated area (likely from the rocks that you see covering it) causing this shape to form. 

Rock mushroom!

Glacial mice congregation!

This glacial mice was holding a rock.

Small moulin.

Miles of moraine...

Once done, we waited for the shuttle to go back to the footbridge. We both were exhausted and decided to catch a siesta while we waited.

There were lots of us needing a ride back, lol!

Beautiful views on the footbridge...

Back home!

Drone pic of motorhome at Basecamp and McCarthy Rd, with the footbridge.

Drone pic of the motorhome with a view of the Icefall.

Town of McCarthy.

Footbridge, Basecamp view toward McCarthy.

Day 3 Adventure and conclusion of our McCarthy/Kennicott adventures, included a tour of the Kennicott Copper Mine.

Hard hats required.

Small pieces of copper-containing rocks found on the trail leading to the ore processing plant.

This was the building entrance into the processing plant.

Much of the buildings were in disrepair. Many were refurbished for tours.

Those look important!

Pulley that used to control the cable cars full of ore that came down from the mines.

They sure had a beautiful view to look at each day...

Smokestacks from a power plant in the distance.

Man camp for the workers. The buildings also contained the Post Office and General Store.

Repair shop. Lots of tools and parts in this room.

Ammonia leaching tanks to extract the copper from the broken down ore.

Once the tour had finished, we caught a ride back with a paid shuttle and I managed to snap a picture of this lady's yard. She had many delphiniums growing and created a show-stopping beauty of her property. These flowers were everywhere!

We got back to the motorhome, packed up and headed out. Back on the dreaded McCarthy Rd. There was still one thing nagging us as we left. Is the speedometer issue going to stop us in our tracks down the road?

The check engine light came on again, but we kept going in the hopes that it wouldn't slow us down if we continued. So, through the washboard we go, very slowly.

Passing the bridge that Sean took a drone video of on the way to Basecamp.

The gorge and river below.

Chitina River.

Fish wheels along the river.

Almost to the pavement!

Finally!!! And then, the speedometer started working! Sean was guessing that the computer thought something was wrong since we were constantly going a slow speed for so long, lol.

Our stay for the night, a pullout outside of Kenny Lake. That was another long driving day! What a great adventure in McCarthy & Kennicott!