Rounding Sentinel 1

We had been planning on this hike to circumnavigate Sentinal Peak for some time. The weather promised to be sunny and the winds reasonable so we headed out early afternoon. Our days are much longer now and we have light until after 9 pm.


Heading up from the house was easier than usual as the snow has firmed over from the sunny days and cold nights. It was our quickest hike up so far. We'd like to think it was fast due to our increased stamina but we know that is not the case.


Looking west at Unimak Island from near the ridge top


Entering the Sankin watershed




Looking down and out to Sankin Beach. After crossing the ridge on the north side of Sentinal we headed down into this valley and followed the stream towards the beach. It was really beautiful, quiet and peaceful, and out of the persistent winds of the open tundra.





The stream is followed by alder thickets all the way out. There were signs of huge numbers of ptarmigan (accompanied by fox tracks) but no sight or sound of them.

Rounding Sentinel 2

After about two hours of relatively easy walking we arrived at Sankin Beach. A few days prior we had tried to land the skiff on the beach to do some beachcombing but the waves were too rough. Today however the shore was peaceful. We scared away a large raft of harlequins and black scoters and then found ourselves quite alone. We had hoped to see some of the caribou that we imagine must live around the protected valley but there was no sign of them.







Sankin Island


After a short rest, the clouds began to quickly descend from the north so we headed down the beach for some speedy beachcombing as the snow started to fall.





We had a truly fabulous beachcombing experience. I have been searching the beaches for signs of the Japanese glass floats and on this day there it was, right on the edge of the rocks piled high from the tide. Happy Day! Amongst the plethora of whale bones we also found a piece of petrified wood and a large (whale?) tooth. Not to mention some great driftwood slabs which I have been using as canvas for painting.




Heading up to the Palisades with Sankin Beach already far behind us.

The Palisades (at low tide)

The Palisades are about a mile south of us. We got there walking along the beach from the house. These cliffs face out to Ikatan Bay and rest at the foot of Sentinel Peak. As boats enter Isanotski Strait they are greeted by these towering rock faces. We speculate they were formed by the movement of ice and or water and now continue to be altered by wind.











Numerous waterfalls fall to the beach on the walk from Stonewall to the Palisades.




As we were about to turn around a snow storm came upon us. We had to walk back with our heads down to avoid the strong winds.







California Mussels Mytilus californianus

Much of the shoreline, including Stonewall reef, is covered in mussels. We attempted to have some one night. Fearing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) we had only the tiniest piece. I think the possibility of getting sick made me paranoid and I felt the tell-tale signs of tingling tongue. Whether or not I really did we stopped right there and haven't tried any since.
We later learned that Kodiak Island (about 500 miles away) is the PSP capital of the world! Yikes!