Ready to Explore

Valdez, AK – Saturday, July 30, 2011

Awoke to great mountain/waterfall views. Took our time and enjoyed a breakfast outside. No mosquitos here. After a little maintenance we were off to explore. We took a trail up to Valdez Glacier Lake. We climbed up the hill and were amazed at the temperature change. It was quite cool down by the lake.

We drove over to Dayville road across the port from Valdez. The Alaska pipeline terminus is there. Of course you can’t get anywhere near it because of all the security. It is also a beautiful drive and the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery is the main attraction.

On our way there we came across this guy trying his hand at fishing. I doubt anyone is going to check to see if he has a license.

The reason for the hatchery is that Solomon Creek cannot support all of the pink salmon that return to spawn. Almost all of the returning fish are diverted to a fish ladder they have to negotiate to reach the hatchery.  There the salmon lay their eggs then swim back to Port Valdez Bay to die.  The eggs hatch and go through the early stages of growth, Alevin, Fry and Parr.  When they reach the Smolt stage, they are released down the fish ladder to make their way back to the ocean and continue growing.  After several years growth in the ocean their natural instinct is to return to Solomon Creek  where they once again will be diverted to the hatchery to repeat the process. It is amazing the number of fish and how strong the need is to get back.

On the other side of the road is where the fish that got away were headed. This is the end of Solomon Creek.

Lots to look at and see.

BG Miles Today	0	BG Total Miles	5880
Eat Out total $	511.13	BG Total Fuel $	3099.16
Entertainment total $	141.52	Total Camping $	723.46
E Miles Today	0	E Total Miles	1880
E Total Fuel $	387.19	Day # of Trip	60