Blue Lake Road

Overcast with temperatures in the 50s. Light winds.

Most of my outside time today was spent along Blue Lake Road.

I stopped at the lake to see how far below spill the lake is sitting. With 18 feet left to go, I imagine it will be several weeks at least before it fills and spills.

Folks were fishing, though I didn’t ask them if they were catching anything. I was only there briefly and didn’t see them catch anything.

Rock and Ash(?) Exposure — It looks like ash may be mixed in with rock and other mineral debris along the shoreline of Blue Lake in Sitka, Alaska

I documented some exposures that appear to be a mix of ash and glacial till. I’m not sure how to interpret that with respect to the possibility of a glacier being present. Perhaps ice was present in part of the valley/canyon with moraine/till material and ash upslope of the ice. Over time the steeper slopes shed both till and ash to form deposits that are exposed now.

Avalanche Track — Warm weather in December and January, followed by dry weather in February and March meant not much snow accumulated to be deposited by avlanches this year.

I can’t remember the last time there was no snow at the base of the avalanche chutes so early in the year. In most years I get photos or mention it, so I could probably go back and check if I get curious enough.

Stink Currant (<em>Ribes bracteosum</em>) — Stink Currant (*Ribes bracteosum*) along Blue Lake Road in Sitka, Alaska

I did check the avalanche track for plants. There was plenty of green growth, but it’s still early, and I did not find much blooming. In a few weeks, it will be easier to see more of the alpine species that might be growing there.