Last weekend, we skied out to Juneau Lake Cabin on the south end of the Resurrection Pass Trail. Anna & Josh left several days before us and came up from the Hope side of the trail. We skied in the ~ 9.5 miles from the Bean Creek Trail in ~3.5 hours. Almost 1/2 the time that Dave predicted it would take us! Just a warning - there are a LOT of pictures. Trying to make up for not posting anything for the past month.
We love this trail system. Have been to Trout Lake many times, Swan Lake cabin a few and last August we hiked the entire Res Pass Trail. We lucked out on the weather. I had to wipe the dust off the sunscreen.
The first time we skied out here, we missed this first trail marker. Only because it was buried in snow. Remember that Rizzolo?
We always stop here for a little break. Where the Bean Creek trail meets the Res Pass Trail. It's uphill most of the way, flattens out when you get to Trout Lake and there's just mini-hills along the trail.
Dave pulled a sled and Emma pulled Dave and the sled. I had my pack on.
Juneau Lake
Anna & Josh got there before we did and warmed up the cabin. Talus was sunbathing when we got there.
That Friday was also Anna's birthday! We brought her some dessert. Something special we learned from Dan & Adrian - oreo cookie crust with chocolate pudding filling. Forgot the powdered milk so it didn't quite set right. Tasted good, though!
Looks kinda like cow pies!
The next day, Anna & I went out towards Devil's Pass for a ~9 mile ski. We were feeling adventurous. Anna said there were some fun downhills that would be great to ski without packs/sleds. So we took the dogs and left the men at home to hold down the fort. It was snowing and overcast.
yup. it got a little steep... I bailed coming down this hill and lost a ski (found it).
Here's Anna going down the first big hill with Emma chasing after her. I bailed on this one, too!
When we hit Juneau Lake, I hooked both dogs up. But they were tired and didn't pull too hard.
We came back to this: Dave modeling on his sleeping bag.
And Josh on the other side of the bunk.
Salmon baking in the wood stove!
Josh & Anna whipping up some moose & onions and oat groats (or something like that).
Emma was pooped! 2 days, 18 miles of ski-joring!! she could barely get her hind legs up on the bunk.
While Emma was snoozing, Talus read up on some literature.
Next day we skied out - sunny again! The cabin is situation above the lake. The view from the outhouse.
There's a bit of an uphill to get to the cabin.
packing up the sleds
dogs being really helpful by finding sticks
Lynx tracks!
Nice bling Dave!
Right before getting to car, there is a really big hill. And it was incredibly icy.
finally back to the car.
All those uphills turned into down hills on the way back. For one stretch, Dave estimated that we were going at least 12 miles/hr. I usually bail at least 5x on that stretch of trail. But this trip, I was doing better. Until we hit this hill pictured in the video. Dave skied off to the side of the trail before going down this hill but his sled was still in the middle of the trail. I came down the trail, saw the sled, and saw the hill. My options were 1) ski into Dave's sled and for sure fly over the hill head first or 2) bail before hitting the sled. I chose option 2. OUCH.
We got ourselves put together again. And I walked down this hill and took a video of Dave coming down. Warning if you have little kids watching. don't turn the volume up too loud. Dave dropped the F-bomb...
Anyways. We had a GREAT time. It was so nice to get out and play in the snow and sun. And spend the weekend with good friends.
On Saturday, we skied on Exit Glacier Rd. ~11 miles to the overlook and back. We lost the sun but it was still warm and snowed part of the way back.
After the ski, we came back to the house for some lunch and R&R.
Ms. Otter is pooped!
And then the girls hiked out to Tonsina so we could get some beach time. Brook's a little land-locked up in Fairbanks! We found some easter eggs that someone left on the trail. No chocolate - too bad!
Here's Heather setting up the camera for a timer photo.
There's still a ton of snow on the trail.
Happy Emma and her stick!
Happy girls on the beach!
a few videos:
