Mt Macdonald, Snake River, Yukon 10″ x 8″

A long day hike in off the Snake River, brings us to the base of the massif, Mt MacDonald. These mountains still feel like they are being formed as we hike up through winding tunnels of fine rock debris to the glacier itself. At this elevation, precipitation has turned to a fine sleet, almost snow in the middle of August. Small Bladder Campions, Purple Mountain Saxifrage, and Alpine Poppies somehow find a place to root, and thrive. Cloud levels begin to drift lower down the mountainsides, the snow and sleet coming down harder.   Now I find myself retreating down the valley. Leaving these stunning glacially carved valleys we follow game trails back down to the Snake River.