Blackie Blog Day 17 - Ice, Ice Baby

It was P-Rock's turn riding bell cow this afternoon when we passed by this sight - the Matanuska Glacier. Though we were pulling long miles today to make Tok, we both knew we had to turn back and visit this one.



No comments on the photo composition please - it is pretty good considering the motorcycle moving at 65MPH on mountain twists, shooting sideways.... It seemed pretty close, but the ride to the trail head was long and a bit ugly in spots for 1100 pound motorcycles. That said, it was worth the effort. The parking area sits close to the edge of the receding edge - from there you hike a 1.5 miles over the debris field and shed water to the glacier.




We overheard a guide say in season the glacier gains or loses 3 feet/day, so it looks different every day. As we approached, the temperature dropped steadily - probably 20F cooler at the edge.




No going further than here without ice climbing equipment, which several folks were doing. Had to get a Snuzzles on Ice picture for the record.



This was a worthy stop, even though it pushed our Tok arrival a bit late. The rest of the ride was great, especially the Tok Cutoff Highway - the last 60 miles into Tok were extraordinary - vistas, mountains and lakes. A quick Fast Eddy's dinner, and crash time.

One further note - I captured P-Rock executing a seventh inning stretch technique we have perfected on the trip - the stand-up stretch we can do now at highway speeds.




Will try to catch up with more photos on the SmugMug site:

http://jrpimages.smugmug.com/gallery/8654567_ByKRt/1/571278936_DfRP4

Day 18 - Top Of The World...
Blackie out.