Glennallen to Valdez on the Richardson Highway

Below are the Wrangell Mountains (again). Mt. Sanford elev. 16,235; Mt. Drum elev. 12,010; Mt. Wrangell elev. 14,163 and Mt. Blackburn elev. 16,390. A sign by the roadside reads: "Across the Copper River rise the peaks of the Wrangell Mountains. The 4 major peaks of the range can be seen from this point, with Mt. Drum directly in front. The Wrangell Mts, along with the St. Elias Mts. to the east, contain the most spectacular array of glaciers and ice fields outside polar regions. The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the nation's largest national park."

The above road view pretty much says it all!

Looking for Diamond Willows we naturally stopped at the Diamond Willow Culvert. I did find a
small diamond willow (walking canes are made from the diamond willow) but got side tracked by this
Upland Sandpiper, whose nesting area I was getting too close to. He dive bombed me pretty close. To the right is the Pasque-Prairie Crocus, one of the early spring flowers I never found, gone to seed. Too pretty not to capture the picture.

Approaching Worthington Glacier (left) view from the highway. Worthington Glacier from the "active" side. Worthington Glacier is a National Natural Landmark and is accessible to walk on and touch, via the Ridge Trail which is primitive and difficult. Three fellows did follow the trail when we where there. Glaciers are always farther than they seem, however.



Left is the lake created at Worthington Glacier.

Below is my "political statement".

I always wondered where seagulls nested. Well
I found one sitting on the nest here at the Glacier. I was a long, long way away from the nest but the mate still was not pleased and for the 2nd time today was swooped upon by a very noisy bird!

Moving on to the 27 Mile Glacier, seen from the highway.

And Keystone Glacier

We survived the 7.5 mile descent through Thompson Pass.

Bridal Veil Waterfalls



The scenery changed to beautiful flowing mountain waterfalls.

Right is Horsetail Waterfall.



Shortly thereafter, we arrived in Valdez, AK although I was a little lost trying to read the Mile Post directly into Valdez. It seems the Good Friday, March 27, 1964 earthquake virtually destroyed the original town site of Valdez. The land was condemned as unsafe and the town was moved 4 miles to the west. More on Valdez to come in another blog. BBFN, Karen and Don