Thursday, August 1, 2013

McHugh Creek late June, 2013

While I cannot begin to name the plants in Alaska, I sure do enjoy their beauty as the flowers decorate the area.

20130621_120005      20130610_211656 20130621_09453620130626_085205 20130628_210424 20130629_083117   20130629_090313 IMG_5204IMG_5205 

Soon after we arrived at McHugh (May 2)  this was the flow over the waterfall and the level of the pond near the entrance

IMG_5075-Waterfall at end of creek

Late in June with the warm weather, snow melting and rain this is the levels.

20130613_115136(0)-Waterfall from McHugh Creek

While most people think of this day use area for picnics,  hikes or taking pictures, some people enjoy the water in this pond with the higher water level.

20130630_115228-Rafters in pond near entrance to McHugh

Some people even dive off the high boulders.  This is really  dangerous . . . . here the EMTs are removing a 21 year old lady that didn’t clear the rocks when she either jumped or fell.  Thank goodness she lived but we never heard the extent of her injuries.

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The Mud Flats in the Arm and Inlet are also dangerous areas.  They appear to be damp sand however they can suck you in and when the tide returns several people have drown.   A young man from the the JAG unit at the base drowned a couple weeks ago when attempting to walk out to Fire Island in Cook Inlet. 

IMG_0007 Turnagain Arm (tide out) looking towards Girdwood

The staff and volunteers recently got together for a picnic at Eagle River Camp Ground

20130620_124904-Pot luck in June-Mike, Chris, Matt ___ Linda Shirley

The Eagle River is flowing full also.

IMG_0002-Eagle River 

For years prior to 1964 the bore tide in Turnagain Arm was very large.  There is still a noticeable tide but it is not as large.

IMG_0003_1 boretide 6.24.13 

However boarders do surf this twice a day tide. Kite boarders also enjoy the winds in the arm.

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20130605_121730-Kite boardings.surfing

Turnagain Arm is known for its changing weather and winds.  Occasionally the Arm is perfectly calm and on one of these occasions I took the following picture.

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On June 26 there was a full moon . . . this was taken about 1 AM

IMG_0015-adj br 1.15 AM 6.26.13

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