Pepper Peak and Eklutna Lakeside Trail

A few from a trail run with Jeremy, Paula and Pam after our first snow storm last month. We got a little lost looking for the trail in the snow and never quite made it to Pepper Peak summit. Instead we went down to the Eklutna Lakeside Trail at the end - beautiful fall colors. Gorgeous spot, looking forward to some nordic skiing out here this winter!

 

 

Surf Trip: Bear Glacier, Alaska

Hands down, one of the best adventures I've had since moving back to Alaska in June....

A group of friends did a surfing day trip to Bear Glacier (about an hour boat ride from Seward) a few weeks ago. We lucked out with perfect conditions and there were plenty of waves for everyone! Surprisingly, water temp was a balmy 54 degrees (felt warmer than surfing in Canada, to me!) and I was even a little hot in my 5-4 mm wetsuit/booties/lobster gloves/hood combo. Got some nice rides plus a few good beatings and leash mishaps... and had a giant grin plastered to my face the whole time. At the end I had to force myself to paddle back to the boat because a) my leash snapped and b) after 3-4 hours out there, I could no longer lift my arms. I concluded that lobster gloves keep your hands toasty... but also feel like you're holding onto 10 lb. dumbbells when you paddle. ;) Stunning views in all directions, consistent waves just my size, and friendly locals - Gracias Bear Glacier, you completely exceeded my expectations! Already planning my next visit!

 

Anchorage Trail Running: Off the Beaten Powerline Pass

Living in Anchorage, it's easy to get in the routine of heading to Glen Alps trailhead/Powerline Pass for a quick workout. I'm fairly new to this whole Alaska trail running thing- but here are a few other trails I've enjoyed in the last few months that are a short drive from Anchorage and simple after-work options:

1) Eagle/Symphony Lakes - near Eagle River

-about 10 miles round trip

-well maintained, flat trail with some boulder scrambling the last mile or so to Symphony Lake

-good visibility for avoiding wildlife encounters

Symphony Lake

Looking toward the trailhead/back side of Arctic Valley

un-named lake

Eagle Lake

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2) Rabbit Lake - upper Hillside

-about 9 miles round trip from Upper DeArmoun trailhead

                                             -gradual ascent, almost always windy up here

Suicide Peaks behind Rabbit Lake

Rabbit Lake reflections

heading back down to Rabbit Lakes trailhead

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3) McHugh Creek trail system - Turnagain arm

-distance varies depending on whether you head to McHugh Lake, Rabbit Lake, or do the traverse

-this trail has been notorious since a grizzly bear mauling in 1995... I probably wouldn't run alone here, but it's a beautiful spot for a group run - stunning views of Turnagain arm

Tofino, British Columbia

Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Back in May, on my way up to Alaska I met a friend in Vancouver for a 5 day adventure at a surf town called Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The trip out there from Vancouver was a half day including ferry wait time and the slow, winding roads from Nanaimo to Tofino. We stayed in a vacation rental home near some world class surf breaks. This charming little coastal community left me wishing I had months instead of days there! What a spot!

Don't Miss This: Top 10 List- Tofino, BC (in no particular order):

1) SURFING!!! Cox Bay, Chestermann, & Long Beach were favorite spots. One of my first true cold-water surfing experiences, but since it was summer it wasn't too bad! Saw some whales from Long Beach's break on our first day. The surfing was definitely the highlight, and Cox Bay was where we went back to the most.

2) Wash some fine mexican food down with an award-winning limeade at Tacofino. Don't be fooled- these tacos may come out of a truck (in Canada), but this was probably the best Mexican food I've ever had!

3) Take stand-up-paddle lessons or day trip with Tofino PaddleSurf. Shout outs to owner Catherine Bruhwiler (an extremely talented surfer) and SUP instructor Neil Callaghan- they took great care of us! Loved it so much, I ended up getting my own SUP a few months later. http://tofinopaddlesurf.com/

4) Spectular rainforest hiking. We did a quickie from town through Tonquin Park to the beach, (because we couldn't tear ourselves away from surfing for too long), but there are some amazing trails all around Tofino.

5) Live music at Jamie's Rainforest Inn.

6) Take a class at Coastal Bliss Yoga.

7) Peruse the charming Mermaid Tales bookshop and quaint (but overpriced) boutique shops in town.

8) Beer, appetizers and heat lamps at Shelter Restaurant.

9) Walk, run or bike the many paths/trails between Tofino and the beaches. Explore beachfront residential roads and daydream about owning property there...

10) Catch a harbor sunset.

Tofino harbor

Leah, old roomate and teammate and one of my favorite Canucks

Tofino harbor

Don't miss a meal at Tacofino!

reppin' the U from our Paddleboards :) Go Utes!

another shameless selfie