Eklutna Lakeside Trail in Anchorage and the Byers Lake Trail in Denali State Park
“Make your heart like a lake, with a calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness” - Lao Tzu
“Life is full of disappointments, failures and setbacks - It’s how you handle them that count!” - Unknown
“Gratitude can alter your attitude” - Chris Shields
“We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one!” - Shields Family Singers
The Story -
On Sunday morning, our second day in Alaska, we picked up our RV and headed north towards Denali. Our first stop was for a lakeside hike at Eklutna Lake, thirty minutes northwest of Anchorage. We then continued further north and hiked the Byers Lake Trail in Denali State Park.
Two lakeside hikes and an RV, definitely maybe -
We hiked six miles along the flat rocky banks of Eklutna Lake occasionally climbing a cliff for some higher-elevation views of the lake. The trail is framed by gorgeous views of Eklutna Lake and the high peaks of the Chugach Mountains. It had rained hard prior to our arrival and the clouds still lingered, playing peek-a-boo with the mountaintops. The shoreline is scattered with massive teepees of driftwood, some large enough for several people—I imagine some people even camp in the teepees overnight.
I will remember the Eklutna Lake Trail as one of my favorite all-time hikes - that’s saying something! It combines most all of the elements I consider important for a great hike - scenic views (mountains, reflections and clouds), plenty of water (lake and stream crossings), elevation changes, special interest (teepees), sense of adventure (potential bears and moose) and wonderful company.
Another surprising reason that I enjoyed Eklutna so much was the music. We learned that in bear and moose country, singing together, even if very poorly, is a recommended way to alert the animals that humans are nearby. From the classic song, Doe a Deer, to the nursery rhyme, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, no song or genre was left unscathed and everyone joined in! Watch out and listen up Von Trapp Family Singers!
Are you crazy - an RV with the whole family? for a week? -
Yes, yes and no. Ginger needed her creative skills to deal with the car rental shortage/price gouging, and she decided to rent an RV, opting to stay at campgrounds on our way to Denali. I was skeptical at first, but eventually came around and was thrilled I did. Living in the RV had its challenges, patience was practiced most of the time, and it was a wonderful experience and an incredible way to see Alaska, wishing I only had it for more time. Check back next week for a post on the rest of my family's opinion of our RV experience. And full disclosure, we only spent three nights in the RV, staying the rest of the trip at two really nice houses Ginger found on Airbnb.
There’s more to Alaska than Denali?! -
Admittedly, leaving Eklutna was hard, but I had a sense of excitement and anticipation about seeing Denali. We drove ninety minutes north to our RV campsite in Denali State Park to hike Byers Lake Trail, a pancake flat 5-mile hike along the water, normally offering superb views of Denali. Unfortunately for us, it was overcast and raining during our hike and the Denali views were limited at best. (Our best views of Denali were actually on the drive to the campground.) Despite our disappointment over Denali, the Byers Lake Trail still had a lot to offer. We stumbled upon a mostly intact abandoned trapper’s cabin, and the lake and surrounding mountain views were stunning. While The Lake Byers Trail was enthralling, I did feel some disappointment in not being able to fully experience Denali. Apparently we were not alone, roughly 70% of people that visit the national treasure do not get a clear view.
Now, the Rest of the Story -
My feeling of disappointment led me to think more about how I deal with the inevitable setbacks and failures in my life. Why was I choosing to focus on the negative (not being able to see Denali) while yet being surrounded by so much other beauty? Is it just my human nature to dwell on setbacks, overthink and imagine what could have been? I think a lot of others are like me - So my question is what can we do to change this? I don’t have the answer, it’s hard. Yet I do know that during these moments, it helps me to focus on my many blessings and what I am truly thankful for, and in this case, being in nature with my family. Trying to let go of what I cannot control, focusing instead on what I can control, staying in the moment. Cliche, yes, but give it a try the next time you find yourself feeling disappointed. It is always good to remember - Gratitude alters your Attitude!
Flower Power -
The variety and diversity of the plant life on our hikes in Alaska was amazing! My friend Elaine Peck recommended the free app I-Naturalist / Seek to help me identify different plants and flowers, and it is incredible. I could just as likely do a post only on the unique abundant plant life in Alaska.
