October 3, 2012

A Drive to Salmon Lake, Alaska in Pictures

Posted by Evelyn Mervine

Salmon Lake #1. The sign for the Salmon Lake Campground.

On one of our last days in Nome, Alaska, my husband and I had the opportunity to drive up the road to a little place called Salmon Lake. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management operates a summer campground on the shore of Salmon Lake. We drove up to Salmon Lake to check out the beautiful scenery (especially the gorgeous, snow-capped Kigluaik Mountains) and also to take a look at some regional geology. We were fortunate enough to have a beautiful, sunny September day for our drive. I thought I would share some pictures that we took along the drive. Enjoy!

First, here’s a map showing the location of Nome:

And here’s a map showing the route from Nome (A) to Salmon Lake (B):

On our drive, we actually continued past Salmon Lake for a few miles before turning around and heading back to Nome.

Second, here’s an informational blurb on Salmon Lake from the BLM website:

The Nome Field Station maintains Salmon Lake Campground, 40 miles north of Nome on the Nome-Kougarok Road. The campground offers 6 campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, a natural boat launch at Salmon Lake, and an outhouse. The campground opens in late June after the Nome-Kougarok Road is free of snow and remains open until mid October, depending on snow and road conditions. The Salmon Lake area offers outstanding recreational opportunities. It’s the spawning grounds for the northernmost run of sockeye salmon in the United States.

And now for the pictures:

Salmon Lake #2. Fall colors, arctic tundra style.

Salmon Lake #3.

Salmon Lake #4.

Salmon Lake #5. Those are the Kigluiak Mountains in the distance.

Salmon Lake #6.

Salmon Lake #7. The sign reads "No Road Maintenance Beyond This Point."

Salmon Lake #8.

Salmon Lake #9.

Salmon Lake #10.

Salmon Lake #11.

Salmon Lake #12. My handsome co-driver.

Salmon Lake #13.

Salmon Lake #14.

Salmon Lake #15.

Salmon Lake #16.

Salmon Lake #17.

Salmon Lake #18.

Salmon Lake #19.

Salmon Lake #20.

Salmon Lake #21.

Salmon Lake #22.

Salmon Lake #23.

Salmon Lake #24.

Salmon Lake #25.

Salmon Lake #26.

Salmon Lake #27.

Salmon Lake #28.

Salmon Lake #29.

Salmon Lake #30.

Salmon Lake #31.

Salmon Lake #32.