an Alaska backcountry ATV adventure to Knik Glacier

July 24, 2009 - Karen and Lee Duquette,
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
went on the Alaska Backcountry ATV Adventure Tour for their second time and this time, they WERE able to cross the deep river to the Knik Glacier.

Alaska's backcountry beauty is beyond compare. Once again, this trip took Lee and Karen Duquette on an 8-hour day trip to an untamed frontier. But unlike their first time here, this time they were able to cross the river and see the amazing Knik Glacier. The guide carried a satellite phone and a gun in case of danger from wildlife.

Below: The two RV Gypsies, Lee and Karen Duquette, reached the river that they could not get across on their first ATV trip, and Brian, the guide, showed the two RV Gypsies how they had to get on their knees to cross the river.


Below: Then it was Karen Duquette's turn to drive her ATV across the river while kneeling on the seat. Lee Duquette then followed, but since he had the camera, there are no photos of Lee crossing the river.



Below: Karen Duquette made it across the river.	The two RV Gypsies - smile Lee - it wasn't that bad!

Below: And so their ATV journey continued, through a smaller river, over rocks, and through the woods. Once again, they saw bear and moose tracks, but not the wildlife itself.

Below: A beehive on the big tree on the left.

Below: This time, Lee and Karen Duquette and their guide reached their destination deep in the backcountry, away from tourists and civilization—the way Alaska should be experienced. They drove their ATV's drive right up to the face of the gorgeous Knik Glacier, a towering river of ice 28 miles long, some 5 miles wide, and more than 1,000 feet thick, making it one of the largest glaciers in south central Alaska. Knik Glacier feeds the 25 mile long Knik River which empties into the Knik Arm section of Cook Inlet.


Below; Karen Duquette was happy to have reached the Knik Glacier. Actually, the guide said there are seven glaciers feeding into this lake.


Below: The two RV Gypsies, Lee and Karen Duquette really know how to enjoy life!







Below: The beautiful wildflowers on this hill opposite the Knik Glacier.






Below: While Lee and Karen Duquette were taking a break from the ATV's and gazing around at the peaks of blue ice and the Knik Glacier, their guide, Brian prepared lunch for everyone.


Below: While eating, Karen Duquette's hat slipped down over her eyes and she couldn't see without bending backwards. LOL

Below: Then it was time to hop back on the ATV's for a thrilling, careening ride home, and that meant crossing that deep river again.

Back off the glacier, Karen Duquette kissed a moose and they both blushed so hard that they went pale.

Note: This was a truly enjoyable trip, both times. However, when Lee and Karen Duquette, the two RV Gypsies, brought three family members to do this same trip in 2016, they had a different guide, got lost, the trip took almost twice as long, and there were many other problems, including Karen Duquette who had a very bad accident, which she blames on the negligence of the guide.