Words can hardly describe this past weekend and pictures will be a poor second. Little Lake Clark is one of my favorite spots in the area. We lived fully last weekend, squeezing as much as we could out of the summer. It was full of amazing weather, fantastic company and epic adventures…rappelling, waterfalls, climbing, bocce ball, roasted corn, grayling on a fly rod, hiking, worship service, boating, cliff jumping and soaking up the breathtaking scenery.
Freedom in Port Alsworth is being able to launch an adventure on my own. To get out-of-town, away from the summer hustle and bustle without relying on another person to transport me places via airplane or boat. Freedom for me comes in the form of the kayak I bought last summer and named La Independencia.
While paddling and skiing on Lake Clark over the past year, I’ve studied the mountains surrounding Port Alsworth that I need to climb. All of them really… but more specifically, the third one down on the right. Port Alsworth is just at the left edge this picture below, making this mountain about 5 miles from our village. After dreaming and scheming, it became a reality this past weekend.
Sherry, Amber and I packed our kayaks and headed down the lake Friday after work. I estimated a good spot for the campsite, hoping it was close to a direct line to the mountain’s ridge line. There are no trails up these mountains in Lake Clark National Park…but nothing that some good bushwhacking and bonding time with the mosquitos can’t conquer!
The next morning, we headed out to summit the peak. I felt so blessed with a sun and high clouds. All week we have had low clouds, covering half the mountains with rain off and on. Not ideal for a mountain assent. Thank you Lord for parting the clouds!
We bushwhacked for an hour through the woods and across springy tundra fields.
Then all of a sudden, up bolted the 3,905 ft mountain. And let me tell you…when you start at 200 ft, it’s quite the incline. The ten steps, catch your breath, ten steps, suck in a bug while inhaling kind of steep climbing. But after the first hour, we saw the summit, got a tall double white chocolate mocha and pranced our way to the top.
The view is stunning. We could see more than half of the 45-mile long Lake Clark, draped in its turquoise blue watery splendor.
Seeing the variety of vibrant wildflowers on the way up reminds me that God cares to give joy among difficult times. There were a few mental battles to fight on the way up, but one step at a time is the only way to climb a mountain. Epiphany. Kind of like throwing a snowball at the camera lady.
Summit! Boo-ya! Spike the foot-ball dance.
We hiked right into the mist… The wispy clouds had begun to surround the summit giving the pictures a smokey appearance and almost instantly the rain drops began to dampen our heads.
We knew airplanes had landed on this mountain top, dropping a man to go hand gliding. And the top is impressively large! Like two acres impressive. Enough to hold a wedding, a town picnic, raise emus, hold a football tournament, have a break-dance battle, park like 46 18-Wheelers… you get my point. Huge and flat. We tried and tried to come up with another name for the mountain, but I think the unofficial town name is Flat Top. Boring. It could at least be an onomonopia like Zap! Sizzle. Whap. Pow!
On our way down, the rain began to drizzle then pour. We were soaked by the time we got home, but out hiked the rain cloud so had a chance to dry out on the beach before it caught us again.
Another Mountain Mama’s mini adventure success! I’m so glad the trip happened, and on the one nice day we’ve had in the last ten days. I had some rad ladies for company too!
Now on to making my other summer adventures a reality…
John Wesley Gibbs and Doris Elaine Bennet met on Howdy Day at East High School in Denver, Colorado…Grandma says he was attracted to her nice legs, and I’m sure she was charmed by his quick wit, good looks and gentle spirit. They were married for 63 years in 2009, when my Grandma passed away. Their engagement photo below is one of my favorites. My Grandpa was reunited in heaven with the his lovely bride on October 27, 2011.
The legacy they left is not tangible but one of immense blessing! I just spent a week with my family, the four siblings, their spouses, my 18 cousins and 9 great-grandchildren in Denver to celebrate their lives. We came from Alaska, New York, Washington and Idaho to gather at the family home, built in 1917 by my great-grandpa. It was one of the best weeks I’ve had in years! The legacy they left is one of strong family bonds, a love of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, a passion for mountain tops, ski slopes wind in the pines, the sound of waterfalls, creativity, ingenuity and lots of laughter.
My grandpa was a highway engineer, who had a mind that could fix any conundrum. He was quiet and patient, teaching most of the extended family to ski, including myself at age three. An avid mountain climber, he ascended 34 of the 52 14,000+ peaks in Colorado and many others with his family. One recent story we found out about, was during college in the 1930′s he built a small 9′ X 12′ cabin in a mountain saddle with some buddies. They dubbed it the Quintet Chalet and used it as a hostel of sorts so they could make the most out of Colorado’s dry mountain powder all winter long. Buried by snow, they dove down to the entrance next to the stove-pipe that stuck out of the snow like a snorkel.
My grandma was not an outdoorsy gal when they met. Yet she accompanied him on many adventures and this wasn’t just day hikes, but full mountain treks many times with the fully family in tote. I love this picture of them and their frame packs, headed out into the wilderness. My grandpa looking dapper as ever…in nice slacks and a dress shirt! Wearing his classic trademark hat. My grandpa and grandma passed along the love for the mountains their legacy has taken many family members on mountain treks around the world.
Skiing in the Swiss Alps in their 60′s was a lifelong dream. They skied free as part of the Colorado Mountain Ski Rescue team and relished the fact that they could once again ski free with their senior discount…and did so often!
But the biggest legacy they have left is their enduring love for the Lord, and trusting him for fulfillment in life. I have one of the most incredible families and am so blessed to be so deeply loved by so many. To be persistent, patient, generous, creative and full of grace. Thank you grandma and grandpa for your legacy and may my life uphold it and carry it on to a future family.
Lake Clark Pass empties glacier water out of craggy peaks by force creating dozens of glorious waterfalls. Fortressed by 10,000 foot peaks, Little Lake Clark is an impressive area and easily my favorite place nearby Port Alsworth.
With a boat loaded with gear and a pirate flag, we forged out late Friday night for our destination. The weather left something to be desired, but we weren’t complaining because the lake was a flat calm lake making it easy sailing. And the misty clouds made the adventure a little more exciting.
The trip by boat is about 45 minutes, which we passed by swapping pirate jokes and snacking on fresh smoked salmon. We arrived at our destination and dressed in full rain gear, bush-whacked through the wet foliage beside a roaring turquoise stream to the cave falls.
Part of my favorite thing about these type of mountain streams is hopping from rock to rock and clamoring through the icy cold water. BUT this wasn’t the best day for this type of hiking as it was cold outside and the rocks were slippery from rain. Thankfully, Micah is always prepared and had some sweet portable waders we used to cross the stream several times.
Note the pirate flag made it up the hike with us. Arrrrr. With the deafening roar of the falls surrounding us, we scrambled up the shale rock into the cave, careful not to slice an ankle (I still boast a scar from last year’s trip) and perched on the rocks above marveling at the size of the cave. The view is incredible from inside.
After scampering down and making it back to the boat, we quick caught some fish…I mean Micah and Taylor caught a Lake Trout and a Dolly Vardon to accompany our hobo dinners. It was a late 10:30 pm dinner and the sun was setting, making it feel that summer was coming to a quick close.
The next morning was much brighter and the clouds blew through the mountain peaks, giving us a glimpse at their majesty. We packed up camp and struck out to explore some waterfalls. My favorite.
Micah led us to the perfect waterfall and we whacked our way through the Alders and brush, scampered up the rocks and stood with neck craned upward at the massive cascading water rushing over the edge. Micah and I were determined to find some good climbing and rappelling. Well maybe Micah was and I eagerly tagged along. Up one side of the waterfall we went until we found ourselves clinging to tree branches, feet grasping to a few clefts in the rock and decided we were cliffed out. Unable to pursue that route, we went down to the base of the falls again and headed up the other side. Easier going, this route took us beside the falls, with about 100 feet of open rock below to rappel down. Score.
Micah proceeded to secure the rope and Ryan contemplated his first rappel. I provided moral support. I was ready to go! Micah tested it out first, heading down and then climbed back up the rock face.
After Ryan bravely made his way safely down, I swung around and rappelled my way down the face, taking time to soak up the reality of it all. The feel of the taut rope in my hand, my feet bouncing me off the rock face, the spray from the water fall… It was a good adrenaline rush! I was ready to climb up and do it again. I am so grateful Micah was able to make it work during his time in Alaska this summer. One of my highlights!
After conquering the granite giant, we found a little stream with grayling and had a snack as we each caught a fish. It was fun to fly fish again and catch a big one! I did my celebratory “I caught a fish!” dance. Woo!
Taylor caught the most unique Grayling with a rich, dark color accented by turquoise. So beautiful.
Sherry didn’t make it last year on our Little Lake Clark adventure so it was perfect she could be there for the weekend. It was the anniversary of our epic summer 2010 camping and kayak adventure on Kontrash…that ended very… well creatively. We celebrated in our “uneventful” trip and reminisced about our first big Alaskan adventure.
I set out on a solo hike this Saturday, up to a near-by nob I have been eyeing for the past few months. It’s part way up the big Holy Mountain that is in the mountain range behind Port Alsworth and along Lake Kontrashibuna. The trail goes up to the lake, then I took a canoe up and across the lake before starting bush whacking my way to the top. I did meet some people at the lake who were going up Holy to camp, so I did part of the trip with them. It was a unique day as both lakes were flat calm in the middle of the afternoon. A perfect glass reflection on each.
It of led to some spectacular views and some great time alone to reflect. Being in nature is one of the places I feel most refreshed and alive. I also feel closest to my Maker and have time to praise and pray as I’m alone in His glorious creation. These are some verses I was reflecting on last week.
Ecclesiastes 3:14
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of man.”
Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
1 John 3:1
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
