We woke up to blue skies and a beautiful sunny day, so we packed up and are off to Valdez. The last 50 miles into Valdez over Thompson pass is probably one of the prettiest drives we’ve taken on this trip (no doubt enhanced by the ideal weather). Around every corner is a spectacular view. The mountains are tall and craggy or carpeted in green.
There are little lakes and moose ponds everywhere. 
This area has several lodges, mostly dedicated to winter sports. They get over 25 feet of snow here each year, making heli-skiing and snow-mobiling very popular.
There are numerous pull-outs for free camping and several nice campgrounds along this road as well. If we were a bit later in the season we could pick the abundance of wild blueberries.
Worthington Glacier comes right down near the road. As you drive the curved highway you feel you are driving right into the glacier. 
Next is Thompson Pass.
At this point the pipeline is underground. There is not a problem with permafrost in this area and the pipeline is safer from damage underground due to winter avalanches. There are lots of lakes and streams perfect for the fisherman, and we’ve been told that the potholed road into the Blueberry Lake State Recreation campgrounds is worth the trip. Over the pass we were treated to spectacular Keystone Canyon with Bridal Veil Falls 
and Horse Tail Falls. In winter this falls freezes over and climbers ice-pick their way up the face of the frozen falls. 
Stay tuned for more:
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