Wendell Folks Alaska Trip - Page 30.

July 24, 2007:  Day 5 continues westward following the Alaska Highway.  After passing the town, they turned directly south for a moment to get this view of the mountains south of Haines Junction.

Looking down at the river in the valley reveals plenty of signs of wildlife activity in this area.

The view ahead is changing by the second.  Wendell took this shot from the right side of the airplane showing the Alaska Highway ahead and the village of Bear Creek in front of the mountain range.

Here is the view from the other side of the airplane as Terry zooms the lens toward the mountain sides.

What can I say that this picture does not?  The best I can come up with is "Rugged natural beauty" and that seems insufficient.

These few pictures do not put this row of mountains in perspective.   Flying close to them as in this shot from Terry's camera is impressive.  To get a better idea of the mountains in the row of peaks just passed, use this web page link:  http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1794147.jpg   Depending on which web browser you are using, you may have to click on the photo you find there, then slide it back and forth to see all the details of the mountain peaks.   It is a winter photograph.  Be sure to click the BACK ARROW to return here when you finish viewing that panoramic photo.

As they near the western end of this valley, the Alaska Highway is again in the photo about 16 miles northwest of Haines Junction.

The valley ends at Kluane Lake.  There is an airport there listed as Silver City (CFQ5), elevation 2,570 feet above sea level.  The runway is not paved and is 3,000 feet in length by 100 feet wide.  The highway goes around the south end of the lake and crosses past the shallows to hug the shoreline on the west side, across from the airport.