We got off the ferry in Valdez and drive two hours to Chitina, Alaska. Driving into the valley at 10 PM, we were treated to a fabulous view of the Alaskan mountain range. We camped next to a beautiful water fall.
The Alaskan range. Several of these peaks exceed 16,000 feet
Our campsite was just to the left of the sand in the middle left of the picture. No need for white noise to sleep well.
The next morning were up early for a tour into the national park. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive each way, along a bumpy road in an old van. We picked this mode of transportation since it was an old railroad bed, poorly maintained with no services for 65 miles. It was a good choice.
It rained all day, so we were not offered the views that we know are available on a clear day. However, we did a tour of the 14 story abandoned wooden copper mill and learned a lot about the history and processes involved in copper mining in the early 20th century.
The logistics and human hardship necessary to mine in such an extreme and remote environment was fascinating.
The Kennecott copper mine mill. It operated from 1901-1938.
View from the top towards Kennecott glacier
What remains of the mining town from the top of the mill
The road we drove in the foreground and one of the 44 miles of bridges and trestles built by the mining company between Cordova and Kennekott to move supplies in and copper pellets out.
No comments:
Post a Comment