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We cancelled our regular Tuesday hike due to heavy rain and re-scheduled Wednesday, weather permitting.   Wednesday morning I could see fresh snow at Hatcher Pass and the sun shining in Palmer so two of us hiking die-hards decided to try the Palmer/Moose Creek Rail Road Trail.  It is a very scenic route that begins at the north end of Palmer and slowly descends the bluff above the Matanuska River.

Unfortunately there are several serious landslides that have washed out the trail about a mile and a half from the start.  For senior citizens like myself, they were tricky and dangerous to cross.  I’m finding that my balance isn’t what it used to be when I was younger, and I don’t trust my footing on a 45 degree slant of loose rock and soil with a straight chute below ending in the raging glacier fed Matanuska River.  My trusty companion Mary urged me to take my time and be careful, and soon we were through the steep stuff and enjoyed the lovely forested trail.  On the way back I climbed above the wash outs on my hands and knees picking my way carefully up the steep scree slope and felt more confident that way.  Mary is more nimble than I, and managed very well although admitted that one slip of the foot and it would all be over except for the shouting.  We would like to see the Borough send some trail workers out with picks and shovels, it wouldn’t take too much to make these crossings safer.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape painter

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…)