Tides
Tides in Anchorage vary my more than 30 feet. There is an island southwest of Anchorage in the north end of Cook Inlet that is not an island during low tide. When the tide out the mud flats stretch to the horizon.
We ought to go back to that place (Kincaid Park) during high tide but so far the tides haven’t cooperated.
Glaciers
We drove out to the east of Turnagain Arm then hiked (walked) into Byron Glacier. Most of the glaciers in this area are retreating rapidly so first we saw a sign warning that hiking beyond “the bench” (which was an actual bench for sitting on) was dangerous but we found the bench far, far away from any sliding snow/ice/rock areas. We ventured on. Arlene took this lovely picture of the glacier with some flowers in the foreground.
In the same general area is Portage Glacier which, in the process of its retreat, uncovered Portage Lake.
Tomorrow we’re planning on going to Whittier for the day and hiking in to get a view of this glacier. From this side of the lake it is now only accessible via boat.
Bird Ridge
Today we hiked up. This trail was 4.5 miles out and back and, starting at sea-level, we climbed to 3200 feet for an average grade of about 27%. It’s funny because until the grade gets to 20% or 25% we’re getting able to push through at nearly 3 mph breathing hard and getting really hot. Above that, however, footing usually becomes more difficult and we slow so much that it actually become less of a cardiovascular activity. Today there were section above 40%.
Honestly, I was terrified by the prospect of the descent.
Lunch
We had lunch at Birch & Alder. (https://birchandalder.com/) I had a bagel with smoked black cod and an 8 oz. breve. Arlene had a breakfast fococcia and a 12 oz latte. Maybe it was the brutal elevaton gain on the hike, but the food was great.