“Congratulations on being alive!”
That’s how a ranger greeted me when I stepped from the willow-filled river Savage River basin onto the road. Apparently there was a large grizzly moving rather quickly in our direction, as I sat by the river painting and Steve sat quietly nearby. “Quietly” was our mistake; we knew we needed to be making noise as we hiked, so that we wouldn’t come upon a bear and surprise it, but apparently we also needed to make noise when sitting still, so that a bear wouldn’t inadvertently come upon us and be surprised by our presence in his space. Thankfully we are here to tell the tale!
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101017-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Moose |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSCN1271-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Savage River |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101106-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
A small glacier in the Savage River valley |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101107-613x700.jpg?resize=280%2C320&ssl=1) |
Wolf Tracks along the high, narrow trail |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101122-700x644.jpg?resize=320%2C294&ssl=1) |
Wolf track and my hand |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSCN1269-525x700.jpg?resize=240%2C320&ssl=1) |
Stephen on the steep slope |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101113-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Trail on STEEP, HIGH slope |
This V-shaped valley was carved by a river, hence the steep sides.
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101114-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Tundra wildflowers beside trail |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101051-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P610113628700x52529.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Aza |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P610108928700x52529.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSCN1275-700x681.jpg?resize=320%2C311&ssl=1) |
White-crowned Sparrow- they were ubiquitous |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101029-700x635.jpg?resize=320%2C290&ssl=1) |
Willow Ptarmigan |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101014-700x524.jpg?resize=320%2C239&ssl=1) |
Snowshoe Hare |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101148-700x525.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1) |
Painting beside the Savage River in the U-shaped valley |
This U-shaped valley was carved by a glacier, hence the broad, flat valley.
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSCN127828700x52529.jpg?resize=320%2C240&ssl=1)
|
Stephen resting beside the Savage River |
![](https://i0.wp.com/melissafischer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/P6101138-685x700.jpg?resize=313%2C320&ssl=1) |
Grizzly bear track! |
New bird today: Willow Ptarmigan
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Very scary, but cool all at the same time! I'm glad you are alive too. 🙂