The Salmon River Valley
From the Granduc Mine Road, near Hyder, Alaska
A mining road leads up the Salmon River from Hyder, connecting a series of silver, gold, and copper mines, some old, some newer. Though it was built for purely utilitarian purposes, this road affords some of the most spectacular views in Alaska. After following the lushly forested Salmon River valley for some miles, it climbs high above the canyon, bringing the huge mountains into full view. Then, as it gradually rounds a corner, the Salmon Glacier can be seen.
This panorama was taken just before that corner, with the braided channel of the river over a thousand feet below. The turquoise ponds in the riverbed are known as kettle lakes, and are formed when a big chunk of ice is left stranded by a receding glacier.
Luck was with us that day, with beautiful warm sunny weather. Just across the valley is Misty Fiords National Monument, and it didn't get its name from days like this.