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With the summit of Hatcher Pass in sight we had to abandon our hike because the snow was too soft and “punchy”, we would be walking on the surface one minute and suddenly break through the crust and be buried up to our thighs. It was fun and invigorating and will be a great hike in another week or two. The snow is melting fast! I was sorry that we couldn’t reach Summit Lake and photograph it for use in future original paintings, maybe next time.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The steep grade to the summit of Hatcher Pass is a good workout, we dressed warm and worked up a pretty good sweat. The two of us were completely alone in this spectacular alpine landscape. Part of the road was covered in snow drifts, but the southern edge was clear and walking was easy. There was a lot of great material to add to my Alaska Mountains in Spring research file for future original paintings.
More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaskan Artist

The road to Hatcher Pass from Palmer, beyond the Independence Mine is not maintained during the winter. Even though it is May 30 and spring green is everywhere in the valley, the Hatcher Pass road is still covered in snow and closed. We decided it would be a great place to hike since it is above tree line with fabulous views, and totally free from traffic. Our plan was to follow the grade two miles to the summit.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The trail widened and gradually descended to a trailhead marked “West Butte Trailhead”. No map, no directions, nothing! There we were stranded on the opposite side of the Butte from where we began. To reach our car we had two choices, we could retrace our steps and hike back over the mountain or hike four or five miles on roads. We chose the roads. A few minutes later a local homeowner named Butch drove up and offered to take us back to our car, he said he takes hikers back to their cars this all of the time. What a strange situation. Back at the studio I looked up the Matanuska Borough web page and found the map of the trail, it showed only the west route. No mention of the connection at the summit with the south/east route over private land. Hikers be warned.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Even though the blowing dust obscured the view, we were protected on the west side of the Butte. This new upgraded section of the trail had lovely benches for hikers pause and rest and soak in the views. I photographed several beautiful scenes that could be used as reference material for original paintings. It was just about this point that we began to grow concerned that this new route might not connect with the original trail on the south/east side. We quickly dismissed the idea, since there were no trail maps or signs to warn hikers we had to assume a connecting route was somewhere just ahead.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

We followed the new trail from the summit and were delighted that it ascended through trees on the wind protected side of the knoll. It is a lovely path with amenities, rope handrails and wood stairs make the climb a joy.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

As we explored the summit of the Butte we found a new path covered in a heavy material using a web honeycomb pattern that looks like it will eliminate the erosion that plagued the old route. It seemed strange that we didn’t notice where this path joined the original main trail and that it wasn’t marked, but we assumed it was new and possibly still under construction.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

At the top of the Butte the views are awesome and well worth the climb. Today the mountains and glaciers in the distance were obscured by strong winds blowing glacier dust. A 360 degree panorama of glaciers, rivers and rich farmlands can be seen far below, a spectacular sight on a clear sunny day.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

After the initial climb the well-worn path is easy to follow, years of use have grooved and eroded a track several feet deep in many places and switchbacks make the ascent easier. The exposed south/east side of the knoll can be very windy, we were often sprayed by blowing dust.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaskan Artist

The stairs carved into the hilside are misleading, if you look at the top of the photo you can see the steps end and a very steep, dusty powder trail begins. The climb is 835 ft. and we did it easily in less than 30 minutes.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

It has been a few years since we’ve hiked the Butte Trail in Palmer, Alaska, it is a pretty straight forward 875 foot climb to the top of a knoll with commanding views at the top. We were surprised to see that passed through privately owned land, because we thought it was a borough trail.
More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

We finally found a narrow footpath along the bluff above Moose Creek and eagerly began our hike. A short while later we came to a steep gravel bank where high above the rusted iron railroad rails were suspended in the air, hanging like clotheslines. The entire bluff was washed away in a huge landslide and the trail came to an abrupt end. I carefully walked to the edge to see if any detour had been established, but none was visible. One could try climbing the slippery scree with the balance of youth, and no doubt reach the rails and find the railbed again, but it is almost certain that more washouts lie ahead. So much for my plan to hike the “easy to moderate” trails in the Matanuska Valley. I think we need to find something labled “for beginners.”

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The Matanuska Borough trail guide general description of the Moose Creek Trailhead states; “Cross the highway, follow the creek side trail to the old railroad bed and trail.” We couldn’t find any marked trailhead, so we started by following the creek. At first it was easy but soon we became surrounded by multiple forks in the stream that were choked with uprooted trees. It looked like the remains of debris from a flash flood. We waded through water and climbed over fallen trees searching for some sign of human use. After awhile we decided to cross the creek bed using a perpendicular route, from the main water channel to the bluff, hoping we would cross the path somewhere along the way.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

On the steepest part of the bluff, just below the view point on the Glenn Highway, the Palmer-Moose Creek Railroad Trail is totally washed out. Only the very agile, experienced, or hearty hikers would be comfortable crossing this precipitous loose scree and rock. It certainly didn’t look “easy to moderate” with a 100ft. drop straight down to the roaring, glacier fed Matanuska River. At this point we decided to turn around and hike back to the car and drive to the opposite end and begin our hike from Moose Creek trailhead, hopefully skirting the eroded bluffs. My plan to combine exercise and research for painting subject matter was turning into more of an exercise in survival.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

About a mile down the Palmer-Moose Creek Railroad Trail we came to a sizable washout. This photo doesn’t show how steep it is or how far down it is to the glacier fed river below. Suffice it to say, our aging bodies and trifocals caused us to tread very gingerly over this spot. We actually sat down and scooted over the steepest part. It was a bit unnerving, but undaunted we continued our hike.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

A little way down the Palmer-Moose Creek Railroad Trail we came to a scenic overlook with views of the braided Matanuska River and towering bluffs on the opposite side. I was saddened to see the river bank immediately below used as a dumping ground for old vehicles, appliances, and trash. It was a scene right out of the 1950’s, before our country became aware of pollution and its ramifications. How can people be so ignorant in this day and age, and blatantly spoil the beauty of this magnificent place? We tried to not to let this disappointment spoil our hike, but the memory still lingers.
More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

I like to combine efforts and partnering the search for painting subject matter with exercise has worked well for me during the summer. As I’ve become a member of the senior citizenry my methods for exercize have grown less strenuous, during winter I spend 45 minutes on the treadmill five days a week. With summer on the way I decided to step it up and start hiking the local trails, beginning with ones described as “easy to moderate,” taking my camera along to record scenes for future paintings. I consulted the Matanuska Borough web page and downloaded hiking trails and maps as a guide. (more…)