2024 Alaska Road Trip (Day 36)
This journal posting chronicles Day 36 of a road trip to Alaska and back with Diane, Kenny and Deneen.
Day 36 - Sunday July 28th
Today we left Williwaw Campground and headed to Little Nelchina State Recreation Site. We drove a total of 187 miles/301 km today.
Sunrise at Williwaw Campground was 5:22 AM, and at Little Nelchina State Recreation site sunset was 10:41 PM.
We did our own breakfast this morning and got underway to our next destination.
As we were leaving we spotted a new animal.
Bigfoot, Ghost Forest - Girdwood, AK
We headed north on the Seward Highway (Hwy 1) towards Anchorage, and then continuing north on Glenn Highway (Hwy 1) towards Palmer, and then heading east on the Glenn Highway (Hwy 1) towards our campground.
Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Palmer, AK
One the way east on the Glenn Highway Diane took this very cool photo of the Matanuska River, glacial silt filled, next to some Fire Weed.
Matanuska River, Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Alaska
More glaciers along the Glenn Highway.
Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Alaska
It was a scenic drive with the Chugach Mountains off to our right as we followed the Matanuska River.
Matanuska River, Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Alaska
A short ways farther along, the Matanuska River turns into the Matanuska Glacier with a great view from the Glenn Highway.
Matanuska Glacier, Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Alaska
Here is a closer view of the toe of the Matanuska Glacier.
Matanuska Glacier, Glenn Highway (Hwy 1), Alaska
We spent the night at Little Nelchina State Recreation Site, which appears to be a “former” small campground. However, it is no longer maintained, has two derelict outhouses, and getting to some of the campsites would require navigating some very large potholes. There was a nice spot right on the river, but it was already taken. We ended up using a large spot just above that that worked perfectly for us, and avoided the worst of the potholes.
Little Nelchina State Recreation Site, near Nelchina, AK
Dinner was buffalo brats and baked beans.
Dinner - Little Nelchina State Recreation Area, near Nelchina, AK