Greetings Everyone!

A few weeks ago I was invited to come see Kodiak again by Scott McMurren, this time we had much better weather conditions than our previous Kodiak adventures last year.  I like to think of Kodiak as Alaska’s secret playground!  There is only a hundred miles of highway on the island, but triple that for the sea and land trail systems!

I’m kicking off my series of Kodiak shows with a Hike of the Week joined by Marion Owen, a good friend, and a friend of the show!

Fort Abercrombie is indeed a place on Kodiak I could literally get lost in weekly if I lived on the island.  The trail system is maintained, and bear activity is low to zero on this part of the island - still good to keep your wits about you though.

Naturally we all know weather varies on Kodiak, and while non-rain day is always good for hiking, rainy days in Fort Abercrombie are not much of a problem since trails are mostly sheltered by a large temperate rainforest canopy.  Depending on the weather you could get away with tennis shoes, or light hiking shoes.  This is one hike I don’t care seeing the end of the trail, and once you go… you’ll completely understand!

A little about Marion Owen
Marion and her husband Marty hosted us during our stay at their Galley Gourmet’s Cliff House B&B, which overlooking the entrance channel to Kodiak’s largest boat harbor.  If you’re visiting Kodiak and you get a chance to stay at their B&B, tell them I said “Hi!”   Marion is a total evangelist for Kodiak Island, and there probably isn’t a corner of that island she doesn’t know!  She’ll be happy to point you in the right direction and always good for recommendations!

Marion also Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, and a serious gardener whom knows her organics.  You’ll get more of this geeky side of her at her website www.plantea.com.  On a closing note… If you’ve never put a dash of Cardamom in your Coffee while it brews TRY IT! I’m hooked!

Kodiak adventures coming soon include:
Bears, Kayaking, Hiking, Flying, and a special great Interview.

Enjoy the Kodiak shows as they come.
Scott

Hatcher Pass Hike!

This past weekend I while producing our next two shows we shot in Kennicott and Wrangell-St.Elias, I reached a point of needing fresh air! I had the right hike in mind! Unfortunately, the Hatcher Pass road over to Summit Lake was still closed, which is usually open early June. Spring is still coming to most areas above 2000 feet, so it’s something you’ll need to consider if you’re hiking this weekend.

Now on with the Hike!

As an alternative hike and there’s plenty to be had in Hatcher Pass, I decided to take a hike up in an area that I’ve not visited in well over 15 years! Like I said in the video, most people stop at the top of the first hill, which is great because it’s obtainable for anyone! Venturing further back should be nothing to fear at all… It’s all very easy and flat. Those of you in shape, you’ll be tempted as I was to spend the day exploring the higher ridges and peaks!

There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to return this summer again, and probably make a camping an overnight out of the adventure. Care to join?!

View Larger Map

Park Fee: Free Parking (before the park fee entrance)

Hiking Time: Open to your pace and choice destination.
Elevation: Starting 3110 feet to Summit 4038 feet

That’s a Hike!

Question for the Hike of the Week viewers:
How many of you would enjoy doing a monthly meetup hike? I’m also considering potential 2 day trip I have in mind. Let me know!

See our other hikes at: www.alaskapodshow.com/hikeoftheweek

Join Scott as he adventures really close to home - along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, Alaska. If you’re looking for a quick getaway during the day, the coastal trail provides miles of great scenery, people and wildlife.

During this hike we encountered two young bull moose in Kincaid park that were just a few feet off the trail. The curious one of the two eventually meandered across the trail as a family and several others looked on. Whether you’re visiting Anchorage or live here, the coastal trail really does offer a great escape from the “city”.

Check out the previous Hike of the Week shows by subscribing to the iTunes feed.

Spring is here and we’re all ready to get out and do some hiking!
There’s still a bit of snow on the ground, but with all the spring sunshine it’ll be gone in a flash. To get in shape, get some elevation under your belt, and finally get some good color on that pasty white skin check out this hike!

Archangel Valley road is closed to vehicles until summer, but for now it’s a groomed hard packed snow trail perfect for skiers, snow machines, and hikers! We’re coming back this summer to do some serious hikes, and the Reed Lakes hike is top of the list! We’ll be overnighting there with a run up to bomber glacier. Can’t wait!

Check out the Show!

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Here’s how to get there from Anchorage:
- Take the Glenn Highway from Anchorage South to Palmer.
- Two miles past the city of Palmer turn left on Palmer-Fishhook Road
- Fishhook Road becomes the Hatcher Pass Road
- Travel on this road even as you enter the park area.
- Hatcher Pass Rd. is about 15 miles from Palmer.

 
View Larger Map

Park Fee: Free Parking

Hiking Time: Allow 3 hours roundtrip (taking your time..)
Elevation: Starting 2150 feet to Summit 2400 feet

That’s a Hike!
See our other hikes at: www.alaskapodshow.com/hikeoftheweek

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Downloadable Formats: Medium | Large HD

What an amazing Alaska HDTV show!

This had to be one of the best adventures I’ve taken, and Juneau is an incredible place. Since 1906 this has been the Capital of Alaska, so the history and culture is rich in Juneau – Sharing this part of Alaska was tops when Governor Sarah Palin joined us on a short hike up to her office in the capital!

Back in 1880 two guys Joe Juneau and Dick Harris were led by a Tlingit chief named Kowee to local gold reserves at Snow Slide Gulch. Juneau would never be the same as stampedes of miners soon led to the formation of a mining camp. In 1906, this camp had grown and evolved into a district government and capital of Alaska. A little known fact is that Juneau was first named Harrisburg after Dick Harris, but Joe Juneau - as a result of some very effective political arm-twisting at a miners’ meeting in 1881 - won forever the name of Alaska’s capital city.

So many today have mixed opinions about Juneau. Some complain because the rainfall averages some 50+ inches each year, but that’s typical for southeast Alaska! It’s the history, people, and adventures that are accessible in and around Juneau that make it one of my top spots. In my opinion and in few words – Juneau is not to be missed. Go!

Here’s some links in making that happen for you.

Alaska Airlines
www.alaskaair.com
As of this post today, they’re offering the “Constituent Fare”, which is available to Alaskans in order to encourage them to visit their State Capital.

Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.traveljuneau.com
Naturally a great resource in helping make your trip all it can be!

Local Activities in Juneau!
Juneau’s CVB has put together an amazing list of great things to do. Here’s my favorite for Hiking, Biking & Walking! www.tinyurl.com/2dy7bp

Princess Cruises
www.princess.com
Traveling up the inside passage? Princess Cruises offers shore excursions while at port in Juneau. You’ll get to explore the Mendenhall Glacier, Temperate Rainforest, Juneau Underground, Mining, and the Tram ride is not to be missed either. Naturally my suggestions here are during summer travel season, but any of these are available to you on foot as well!

Hike of the Week Urban Hike with Sarah Palin by Alaska HDTV / Perfect Blend Media, LLC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.alaskahdtv.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at skshow@alaskahdtv.com.

Enjoy!
Scott