Jody’s Big Wild Life Blog

Since May, I’ve been leading a weekly Meetup.com group known as the “Social Climbers” on a series of Chugach State Park hikes. My winter travel schedule kicked off Sept. 3, so I planned a celebratory end-of-season hike for the group to a very special destination, Winner Creek Gorge.

Winner Creek is accessed from two trailheads: Crow Creek Road or Alyeska Resort Hotel. The Social Climbers rendezvoused at the latter for a three-hour trek through the northernmost reach of the Pacific Northwest coastal rainforest.

The first section of the shady path is lined with gravel and boardwalks over soft spots. Carved log benches sit next to fresh mountain streams, and the woodland hush and spruce-scented air is a cure for any ill. But it was the rush of rapids through Winner Creek Gorge canyon and the adrenaline high of the hand tram that was our ultimate goal.

Two and a half miles from the trailhead, our objective was met. Those of the party not afflicted with acrophobia took turns on the tram by twos and threes…stepping in the metal cage and pulling across, high above the rapids of Winner Creek Gorge.

Afterwards, we reunited at Jack Sprat’s and enjoyed yam fries dipped in jalapeño arugula aioli and a shared bottle of Jerry Garcia Cabernet Sauvignon. Great got even better when the drive home produced a car-stopping sunset over Turnagain Arm…dramatically ending another day in the Big Wild Life!

- Jody