Party: Eric Troyer
Trip Location: Chena Dome Trail, 29 miles officially, but probably more like 30 or 31. (The official trail guide also shows 8300 feet elevation gain, but my GPS said it was almost 9300)
Access: Two trailheads: Miles 50.5 and 49.4, Chena Hot Springs Road
Trip Date: Saturday, May 30
Trail or route conditions, wildlife sightings and any highlights from the trip: Late May is an excellent time to hike the Chena Dome Trail, which is as much route as actual trail. The weather is sunny but generally cool, with few thunderstorms (which aren’t great for ridge hikes). The hiking trail/route is dry, but several pools of water and snow patches are available. Several varieties of wildflowers are out, as are many species of songbirds. I also saw two caribou, who were as curious about me as I was about them.
