We left our camper at the Chatanika campground and headed further down the Steese Highway to Twelvemile Summit. I had seen a particular hike promoted in the milepost (the milepost= the Bible to driving through Alaska Highway and other remote drives in Alaska and Canada). This area reminded us of our drive up to and through the Arctic Circle a few years back.
We were already in the subalpine zone at Twelvemile Summit which is an awesome way to start the hike. The boys were adamant about hiking so we let them hike up Pinnel Trail and they made it about 1 mile up! It was a fun trail which started on boardwalks because it is so boggy and wet in the subalpine tundra. Underneath the top layer is permafrost which means it always stays frozen. Thus, a super boggy topsoil layer!
Anyways, once we reached the trail ridge the views were incredible and we even saw two different small herds of caribou in the valley! Weather definitely changes quickly up there so quick turned back and wore the kiddos so we could beat the rain that was coming towards us. Highly recommend this trail if you ever visit the Fairbanks area!
After the hike we decided to stay the night at Elmendorf Air Force Base in one of the town houses you can rent out. We’ve stayed there before a couple winters ago and they are super nice. Plus, we had a TON of laundry to do somehow!
Before settling down for the night we drove through North Pole (last time we went I was pregnant with AJ!). We visited Santa’s House where the boys each picked out an ornament and got to meet Santa! They didn’t seem to think it was weird that Santa was wearing a mask thankfully. I do think AJ was a little skeptical of him though!
Belanger Family Adventures 