October 9, 2017 ~ Snowden Mountain is located in the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska.  I had first seen it along the Dalton Highway on my way to hunt caribou on the slope, but never had the time to explore it.  Dana and I finally had a chance to check it out during a lull in live-trapping lynx for a UAF research project.

We first made our way up a mostly frozen creek bed and on to the western ridge leading towards the summit.  Steep climbing through spruce forest and alpine tundra gave way to a rocky ridgeline with views of Snowden’s western flank and the surrounding peaks.  

While carefully navigating snow-covered shale, we found marten tracks nested within wolverine tracks, as well as the customary zig-zag of tracks made by an ermine on the prowl.  The mustelids are an intrepid bunch, searching for food where you didn’t think there was any to be found, or sometimes seemingly crossing high elevation barrens for the fun of it.  Canid tracks were also on the ridge and appeared to be made by a coyote, although coyotes are considered to be rare this far north in Alaska.

After a few questionable sidehills to avoid untenable rock spines, we came to what for us was an impasse: loose snow, steep shale, and a long chute.

Playful ravens soared above us in the wind, their calls and swoops mocking our pedestrian lifestyle.  While I poked away at the slope, reluctant to give up on our ascent, Dana got buzzed by a gyrfalcon.

Wishing we had wings, we clambered back down the ridge to the sound of clacking rocks and squeaky knees.