Hiking Denali - The Savage Alpine Trail

So far, we completed two loop hikes in Denali National Park and while the park service grades the Horseshoe Lake and Savage River Loop trails as "Moderate" in difficulty, in reality, they are easy hikes. Especially when compared with our next hike, The Savage Alpine Trail (given a "Strenuous" difficulty rating, only one step up from the Moderate rating). With 1500 feet elevation change, this 4 mile point to point hike proved to be a challenge, but with amazing vistas, friendly chipmunks and bonus moose sightings, well worth the effort.

To give you some perspective, a map screen shot of the Savage River loop (red) and the Savage Alpine trail (yellow) is shown below:


As a point to point hike, the park service recommends you utilize the park shuttle bus either before or after your hike. We didn't want to wait on this service so we parked one car at the start and the other car at the end this way: We all drove to mile 15 and dropped off everyone. Teresa and I drove both cars to mile 12 and dropped off her car. The two of us drove back to mile 15 with my car. This gave us a car at each lot.


Traversing the Savage River Alpine Trail
​The trailhead at Savage river starts with a steep and rocky ascent. This part of the trail is the rockier section. By starting at the Savage River (vs starting at the campground and going the opposite direction), the hiker encounters the steepest section of the trail first. For me, that is the preferred way to hike - get the hard part done first!




Matty is always joking around:


Making our way up.


Taking a break:


The scenery of the Savage River valley below was amazing. The weather was on the cooler side but with no threat of precipitation and partially cloudy skies - ideal for hiking.


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The trail eventually flattens out and traverses along the ridge, high above the lowlands below.


These little guys weren't shy!


What goes up eventually comes down, and the descent was quite gradual with plenty of wildflowers and vegetation flanking the crushed trail.



Moose Sighting
We encountered another couple hiking in the opposite direction and they let us know that a Mother Moose and her baby had been spotted close by. Teresa and Shirley quickly came upon Scott who had halted along the trail - the Mother Moose was on the trail around the corner!
The pair was blocking our access to the trail, so we waited, watched and took photos. We took care to never come between the mother and her baby - the adult moose is a daunting animal you don't want to mess with.



Mother and Baby finally crossed the creek and the trail was clear for us to pass. It was an amazing encounter.



We really enjoyed our limited time in Denali even though we only saw a fraction of the park. Hiking is a great way to catch glimpses of the vast land and if we had more time, we would do more hikes. For a pdf version of the available trails at Denali National Park, click this link: Hiking in Denali

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Travel Adventures - The Savage River Loop Trail - Denali National Park

Yesterday's short hike around Horseshoe Lake gave us a tiny peek to what we would encounter today - two hikes in the Savage River area of Denali National Park. Located at mile 15 along the Denali Park Road, this is the last area accessible by personal vehicle. There is limited parking at Savage River and additional parking at the Savage River Campground, mile 13.

First up, the Savage River Loop Trail, a simple 2 mile loop traversing the banks of the Savage River.



It's an easy hike yet very scenic with the river carved between two mountain ranges. Even though the trail is marked, there are numerous opportunities to venture off trail - the adventuresome cousins did just that and left us parents behind.



I ventured up off the trail (seen below) just past the halfway point of the hike and you can see the bridge traversing the river to take you back.


The rushing water of the river provides a great backdrop to the experience - who doesn't like the sound of water flowing amidst such beautiful backdrop?

My husband, brother in law (Ray) sister (Teresa):


This is one of those hikes easily accessible for many people - the elevation change is negligible and the trail not highly technical. If you take your time, there are plenty of areas off the path to access and explore, including the dry river beds:


We finished the hike and enjoyed lunch at the parking area picnic tables. Next up, the challenging Savage River Alpine Trail.

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Travel Adventures - Anchorage, AK

Last August my extended family (parents, sisters and their families) took a cruise together through Alaska to celebrate my father's 80th birthday. With most of us scattered around the globe, such family trips happen maybe every other year. The last time we were all together was in 2016. As my children are officially adults, I know these family vacations will wane with each passing year, so each opportunity is to be cherished.

As the un-official (yet default) photographer / memory keeper of the family, I am tasked with curating the content and creating the Family Reunion Photo book. Fortunately, advances in technology, the prevalence of cell phone cameras and the ability to share photos easily means I am no longer the sole chronicler of trip and I love seeing the various perspectives from family members.

I am however, still responsible for assembling the photo book.

I am happy to report that I completed the Chang Family Reunion Alaskan Cruise Photo book last weekend. Whew, I am glad that is done.

And as a result, I have fresh blog material to share!

First up - photos from Anchorage, Alaska - Along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

The LeMays and Burrows arrived the week before the cruise in order to travel north to Denali. Flying to Anchorage takes a full day and we arrived late Monday evening. I woke up early the next morning and wandered to the breakfast area that hadn't opened so settled for a coffee. I ran into my sister Teresa who was preparing to go out for a run! We drove out to Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park to access the Tony Knowles coastal trail as the sun was starting to rise. We rounded the Westchester lagoon and under the rail before reaching the official trail. My sister ran while I took photos. I passed the Fish Creek Estuary where most of these photos were taken.





I posted earlier about Alaskan Fireweed


Why should the pretty pink flowers get all the attention?




When visiting Anchorage, this coastal trail is a great way to get away from the city and into nature. The coast trail covers 11 miles with beautiful views.

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Out of the Panhandle - Palo Duro Canyon

Did you know the panhandle of Texas is the home to second largest canyon in the US?

Palo Duro Canyon State park, 30 minutes from Amarillo, emerges from a crest in the highway and you wonder if you've been transported out of Texas.

I visited the Amarillo area twice in 2016 - once with my daughter for her Collegiate Equestrian Competition, then again in September for work. During the first trip, I saw travel brochures featuring the Canyon, but I didn't have time to explore the area. In the fall, several of my co workers and I decided to take an afternoon to explore and hike one of the trails, the popular Lighthouse trail (6 miles round trip).

From the scenic overlook at the Visitor's Center


On the Lighthouse Trail, looking toward the Capitol Peak


The Road Runner doing what he does best - running away!


We made it to the Lighthouse.

You can climb up to the very top of the left structure. I chose not to. A group of teen boys passed us on the trail and they managed to get to the top.

Two of my co workers started the ascent to the top, but they stopped short when confronted by a 10 foot vertical section of rock. Age makes you smarter I think.


Proof I was there!


The sun started to set as we made our way back to the parking lot. Such beautiful colors in this canyon. If you ever find yourself traversing the Pan Handle of Texas, it's a great place to visit.

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