Tok to Valdez

We took another detour from the Alaska Hwy today and headed for Valdez on the coast. Although not as bad as the road from Destruction Bay to Tok, the road from Tok to Glenallen was a close second. Frost heaves dictated a slow rate of travel but we did not mind as we enjoyed some more great scenery as we followed the Tok, Shana, and Copper Rivers. First came the Mentasta Mtns and lots of bogs and wetlands.

As we approached Glenallen we began to catch glimpses of the snow covered Wrangle Mtns in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park through the clouds.

Among the wildlife we saw were moose, swans and eagles.

Once we reached the Richardson Hwy in Glenallen the road improved quite a bit but still had an occasional frost heave. One of our caravan members hit one of these frost heaves too fast and destroyed the tow bar towing his car.

We got our first glimpse of the Alaska pipeline today.

The skies unexpectedly cleared for a short period as we approached the Coast Mtns before Valdez. The lush green foliage in the lower elevations contrasting with the snow capped peaks made for some more spectacular scenery.

We got to see a couple of glaciers near the highway.

Valdez is a beautiful little town surrounded with steep snow capped mountains even prettier than Skagway. Gas was $3.48 /gal in Tok and temps were in 40s and 50s today.