Engineer Lake

While we were visiting Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, we took a hike up Seven Lake Trails.  About a mile into the hike, we found a trail marker leading to a cabin.  We followed the trail and discovered this wonderful little cabin owned by the Park Service.  It came complete with a row boat (with various sizes of life jackets available) so that folks could paddle out onto the lake.  It is accessible only by packing in, by boat, or by float plane.

We were smitten.  The first available date to rent the cabin was on Sunday, August 22nd, so we drove back to Soldotna after Denali to spend two nights in this remote site.

Laden with the bare essentials in overflowing day packs (we left our backpacks at home), we hiked in on Sunday.  The cabin has no running water, electricity, or propane... just a wood-burning stove for warmth.  It has four bunk beds with plywood frames and no mattresses.  

It felt great to be on the trail again.  David and I began backpacking in the early 80s and have missed it greatly since his knee surgery.  Even the heavy packs felt good on our shoulders.  We brought dehydrated and freeze dried foods with us.  We also brought sleeping bags, sleeping pads, water, clothing, and emergency essentials.

About half way around the lake, I was able to get this shot of the cabin.  It sits about two miles from the trailhead.  

After our arrival at the cabin, we settled in, rolling out the sleeping bags and unpacking gear.  I fixed dinner, while David chopped wood for a fire.  Our water dog, of course, played in the lake most of the afternoon.

By late evening, we crawled into our sleeping bags.  We soon discovered that our 1/2-inch sleeping pads did little to make the plywood beds comfortable.  We awoke crimped and stiff, realizing that age has stolen more flexibility than we had imagined!

We had a splendid day, hiking up toward Seven Lakes, canoeing the lake, reading, resting, and enjoying the view.  

Concerned about having a restful night in spite of our wooden beds, David had a creative jolt and lashed several life jackets together.  We discovered that it was kind of like sleeping on a camel that night, but it did offer at least a little more cushion.

We hiked out early this morning a bit stiff from the experience but happy.  We're definitely looking forward to a cushy bed tonight!

Our travels in Alaska are almost over.  We will head towards Tok tomorrow and cross into the Yukon (and possibly the Northwest Territory) within the next few days, hoping to catch the caribou migration.  Alaska has been a glorious experience, topped by this trip to Engineer Lake.  Best of all, the sun has been shining since we left Denali.  

It is nearly ten at night, and twilight is just now settling over the mountains.  The moon has crested a peak capped by fresh snow.  Between the overcast clouds and midnight sun, I have missed the moon and stars.  

Creatures are stirring.  Caribou and geese have begun to gather.  Hints of autumn fill the air.  Could it be that we, too, must think of migrating south?

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