3 extended weekends, 5 National Parks

[zkelley2]

Last couple weeks I've met friends and made new ones going to some events where the national parks weren't necessarily the point of the trip, but they were close by or in it.

McCarthy for the 4th of July and then some exploring the Wrangel-St. Elias NP on a quick weekend trip.

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Nice thing about the Bearhawk is you can bring your camp, and bikes.

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A few days later I went north for the Far North Fly-in in Bettles. We hit up Gates of the Arctic, found the Argitech peaks and a few gravel bars to land on. After that was over, we headed over to the Kobuk Sand dunes in the Kobuk Valley NP.

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215655285_10114854757259190_7993998024185351062_n.jpgMidnight sun & campfire with the dog on the dunes.

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You have to wonder what a dog thinks of flying.



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Fishing spot

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213998140_10114854763401880_6019317534981185151_n.jpgArrigetch Peaks
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Arrigetch Peaks

[zkelley2]

Then this last couple days, I had a friend invite me out to a cool spot on Iliamna lake. Since I was that far, I made a day trip out of Katmai NP, specifically the Valley of 10,000 smokes, which is the reason for the park, not the bears. On the way back we had lunch in Port Alsworth, in Lake Clark NP.

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Redoubt

219709940_10114877225163330_1344884548191041882_n.jpg Iliamna

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A bay in Lake Iliamna

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River Lethe cuts through 700ft of ash.

217968275_10114877226839970_5021295901812577041_n.jpg30-35kt winds were picking up a lot of dust

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You can see Novarupta's lava dome on the right.

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First Bearhawk Moon landing.

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218184023_10114877234060500_8990604660577443297_n.jpg Lake Clark on the way home.

[Hewko]

Awesome trip & photos!

[m.mooney]

Thanks for sharing. Awesome photos.

[Nev]

What a neat trip. Stunning pics !

[geraldmorrissey]

A Bearhawk is a magic carpet. Beautiful scenery.
Gerry
Patrol #30

[RatherBFlying]

We are headed there next week - flying commercial. It's my dream to someday fly the Bearhawk up there. Great pictures, looks like a good time!