Day 2 - Hike Down the Jago River Valley to Lake Camp
A warm sun accompanies us on our short morning hike to a beautiful lakeside camp. After a brief afternoon rain squall, we still have time to explore up a ridge for our first glimpse of the expansive North Slope.
14 Photographs
1
Cherie gets ready for our first day of hiking. It’s a clear blue sky and even warm enough for shorts - that won’t happen again for a while!.
2
What’s Drew so intent on photographing down there...?
3
Ahh! It’s a Wooly Lousewort that hasn’t yet bloomed.
4
The whole group is underway. We soon discover that flat, solid ground is the exception rather than the norm as we navigate our first mile of soft, lumpy tussocks.
5
A blooming Wooly Lousewort appreciates the warmth (and maybe even the scenery as well!).
6
A few low hills give us a view down the valley, towards the Beaufort Sea, which lies only about 25 miles to the north.
7
Wow! We’re going to camp here? No problem! We come around the near side and find a flat spot just to the left of the lake.
8
After a short afternoon rain squall, we start exploring up a nearby ridge to take in the views. Here Drew takes a shot back towards camp.
9
Every new flower we see calls for close examination as Carol identifies it (in English and in Latin!). L to R: Margaret, Dexter, Lynn, Karen and Carol.
10
The Dryas appear in abundance as we climb to higher and drier ground.
11
At the top, Cherie scans the hills for signs of wildlife...
12
...as Drew, Carol, Perry and Rosel peer down the valley...
13
...where the Jago River winds its way up the North Slope and out to the sea.
14
The sun never sets this far north of the Arctic Circle (about 200 miles), so after one last shot of a group of Glacial Avens it’s time for bed, dark or not.