McCarthy and Kennicott

This weekend we drove out to McCarthy to take part in a small trail race out there. Our friend from summer league ultimate, Jess, was driving down and meeting some friends from Fairbanks and invited us along. In the pre-trip planning we learned that you cannot get directions to McCarthy, Alaska via Google maps. Lucky for us the directions were very simple: drive to Glenallen, take a right, take a left towards Chitina, drive until the road ends.

On the drive down, we stopped at the Pipeline.

The Pipeline receding into the distance.

We camped in Chitina and then set out for McCarthy. The road to get there is 60 miles and dirt the whole way. The colors were incredible and we spotted a lynx at one point.

And then we arrived at the campground and the official start of the race. I specially liked the 'Start' banner which was a hastily made, hand-written sign on a big sheet of plastic. 

Keeping with the simple aesthetic, the course was laid out on a sheet of plywood. Great!

We all ran the race, Jes and I did the 5 mile course which was really 6.2. The Fairbanks crew split between the half-marathon and the shorter course. We didn't get any pictures of the race or post-race activities as the camera was back at the campsite. Once we all finished up, we headed back to the campground for food, beer, and company.

Sunday dawned misty and rainy. 

We took a quick walk over to the Copper River to check out the old tram used to cross the river before the bridge was put in. 

The Copper River is huge and pretty wild. 

And now a bonus picture...

I checked and couldn't hear the oil flowing. 

Cheers,