AK Adventure Day 50: Eska Falls Hike

A HOT day predicted for the Anchorage area!!  We heard reports of 100 degrees!!...it was for sure in the 90’s where we were north of Palmer!!

We stopped in Palmer to arrange carpooling...which is required since there is limited trailhead parking.  Also, you have to have a high-clearance vehicle because 1.5 miles of the final drive was over unmaintained gravel roads—NIGHTMARE driving conditions!!

Some of our group of hiking friends were going to camp overnight...only 3 of us were day-hikers...our vehicle was the day-hiker group!!

The hike to Eska Falls is a 10 mile round-trip hike.  NOT very hard...a gradual rise in elevation...BUT the HEAT and general lack of SHADE made for a HEINOUS day!!  I LOVED the scenery...and social outing...but certainly would have appreciated some shade to rest by the falls before heading back down!!

We hiked through a little woods, then scattered tree areas...through VERY HIGH grassy areas...YIKES—BEARS??...across ridges and valleys...and for a LONG time in FULL SUN on dusty trails!!

The overnighters dipped into the falls/creek...were sun-bathing...visiting with all of the ATV-er’s...TOO much for me!!  I do not generally uncover my body in the sun!!...so...I dipped my bandana into the stream and then doused myself with the freezing cold water!!...it was quite refreshing on my neck, face and hands!!

Even though I LOVE running water...prolonged time near RUSHING water falls is very disturbing to me!!  THE NOISE!!...you couldn’t hear yourself think!!...sort of like the weird people who blare their music while hiking through the wilderness!!  ANNOYING!!...maybe in AK that is for bear deterrence??

I tried just lounging on the tundra...but felt the sun burning up my skin through my clothes!!...I decided to sit in the little shade of some rocks...by a little babbling brook...with my hat providing shade and my water soaked bandana covering my legs!!

One reason...for me...that this hiking experience was not so optimal...the falls area is also reachable by ATV’s (fortunately, for most of the way the ATV’s have a separate trail)!!...the ATV’s are VERY ANNOYING to me!!...the noise...all of the people!!...yeh...I guess I’m a nature elitist-snob!!...are people who hike 10 miles with everything on their backs...and those who ride in ATV’s with their coolers!!...the same sort of folks??....Yes...we’re all humanoids!!...I’m sure I was just JEALOUS!!...I wouldn’t turn down an invitation to take a 4-wheeler ride out to a beautiful water falls to have a picnic!! LOL!!

It was a nice respite...and even though it took us 4 hours to hike to the falls...fortunately, it only took us 2 1/2 hours to get DOWN!!  YAY!!

We were SO exhausted when we finished the hike...we went to the first fast-food restaurant we found—Wendy’s...and ate dinner!!