With the summer slipping away from us Becky and I teamed up with our neighbors Eamon and Anja for a weekend backpack trip in the Alaska Range along Kusugi Ridge a few weeks back. It was raining when we started the hike giving the impression it might not let up, but since we drove five hours to the trail head and were really itching for a stretch of the legs we put on the packs, unleashed the dogs (four of the rascally little guys) and headed up the trail. What a spectacular trail. With Autumn in full swing the trees were a nice palate of colors and by the time we reached tree line the blueberries were in full abundance. For all you lower 48ers, not all the berry bushes around here are big which just means you have to get a little closer to the ground for a good harvest like Becky is doing in the photo. Notice her bounty in her left hand. As we got closer to the ridge line the clouds started breaking up and by the evening we had grand views of the valley below, even a little glimpse of Denali off in the distance at times.
