Murphy Meadows

Palmer's front range is the beautiful Arkose Ridge south face overlooking Palmer with the Chugach Mountains rising above the Matanuska River. 

Terrific touring can be found in the mature birch forest of Arkose south face which is interspersed with meadows and a few spruce trees with a lot of moose browse.  Snow machiners use this area a little.

Today's snow was wind hammered above timberline, but sweet and soft in the trees.  The sunny calm morning gave way to a windy and still sunny afternoon.

Bundled up against the cold wind, Geno and BettyJane with the Chugach Range in the background.  Mount Marcus Baker can be seen in the distance just above and right of Geno.

The best snow was found in the forest, as usual.  Arkose south face lower elevations were very pleasant.  This area is just east and upslope of the Matanuska Ski Club Moose Range Nordic Trails.  We saw four of the big ungulates.