Picture Perfect Day in Cordova, Alaska

A US Geological Survey marker signals the top of our hike. A beautiful view of Lake Eyak and the surrounding mountains unfolds before us. It felt like we were high in the Swiss Alps, with alpine lakes and snow capped peaks all around.

Cordova, Alaska is a town that is off the beaten path. Way off. There are no roads that connect it to the rest of Alaska. Many of the 2,400 folks that live here like it that way. But that means there are only two way to get here; by little plane (either landing on the lake or a small airstrip known as Mudhole Airport), or by boat. We are cruising in Prince William Sound this week aboard the expedition ship Safari Explorer, so this was our ticket to one of the most remote coastal towns here.

I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up this morning. There was not a cloud in the sky. Prince William Sound, being immersed in a temperate rainforest, does not usually provide weather like this. I had to go dig my sunglasses out of the bottom of my bag. We passed the Aurora, one of the Alaskan State Ferries, which keeps Cordova connected with the other towns of Prince William Sound. As we pulled through the narrow waterways leading up to Cordova, tall snow-capped mountains towered all around us. It felt like we were in some kind of imax theater.

My plan this morning was to take a small group of hard-core hikers strait up the side of one of these mountains. With the clear weather I knew our views would be insane. Last time I did this hike, we were enveloped my a dense low cloud layer. It was pretty cool, and great exercise, but not the greatest of views. Today turned out to be about as good as it can get, with views for miles in every direction.

The hike from the harbor to the summit of tripod hill is only about 4.5 miles round trip. But over that short distance you climb nearly 1,300ft, and then back down to sea level again. It is a leg burner, but that is just what the guests want after a few days of fine dining and delicious desserts aboard the ship. Seven hardy souls chose to join me, and they were all in for a treat.

We wasted no time, heading out as soon as the small boats dropped us off at the dock. The forest birds were calling all around us, and bald eagles soared overhead. As we hit the bottom of the steep trail after walking up through town, I saw a couple of worried faces in the group. "One foot in front of the other." I told them. Every time there was a good overlook, I stopped the group for some photos and a chance to catch their breath. Before they knew it, we were at the summit. Everyone's doubts immediately vanished. The views of the mountains around us, Lake Eyak spreading out below us, and the hustle and bustle of the Cordova harbor were almost overwhelming. After great a group picture, I had everyone spread out to find a place to soak it all in. I made sure they knew that we didn't get many days with this kind of weather here. What a treat.

The mood was great as we took the trail down. The guests went down into town to do a bit of shopping and support the local economy, feeling proud and a little tired. We had the best weather of our Alaska season so far, and we took advantage. Enjoy the photos and the stories, and if you get a chance, put the little Alaskan town of Cordova on your bucket list.

This smile never left my face today. With this weather, I knew it would be one of the best visits to Cordova ever. Now to take advantage and hike up to 1,300ft for the views of a lifetime, with seven of my new friends.

Starting our hike up the trail at the Mt Eyak Ski area.

On our way to the start of our trail, the group stopped to de-layer. I found a rock covered in step moss, so used the opportunity as a teachable moment. Each step in the moss is another year's growth. So this moss was at least 5 years old.

Look at this background! It is wild to think we walked up here from sea level. That is the beauty of Alaska, where mountains tumble right into the ocean.

I told Connie that I would send this photo to Cotopaxi. Brochure material for sure.

Quin and Carsten enjoying the weather. You know it is a good day in Alaska when you can hike in shorts and short sleeves.

This is a side trail that heads down the mountain a different way. It was a little too long for the amount of time we had, but it was worth a quick detour and photo.

Beautiful Alaskan scenes revealed themselves everywhere as we hiked up Mt Eyak.

We stopped many times on our way up to let the group catch their breath, and every time the views got better.

The medium sized rocks on some portions of the trail up were a bit difficult, as they would shift under our feet.

Michael really wanted to hike through snow, and this was the last remaining patch we found.

Rainforest covered mountains, tumbling into Lake Eyak at the bottom.

View from the top. The panoramic views were just ridiculous today.

I'm standing tall above my group of hard chargers in the picture from the top of our hike. Way to go team!

One of the stunning views we were lucky enough to have today, from high upon Mt Eyak.

Near the top of our hike, there were a few of these stunted hemlock trees. They could be hundreds of years old, but are barely bigger than bonsais.

A peek through the rainforest from high on Cordova's Mt Eyak. Eyak Lake is visible below, and the road to nowhere, heading past the Mudhole Airport.

High above the harbor of Cordova, on our way down the side of Mt. Eyak. Past those white mountains in the distance is the open ocean.

View from the top of the single chair lift

Cordova's famous ski hill is serviced by this pretty scary looking single-chair lift. I think most of my group would choose to hike down, rather than take the lift.

This was the view from a little side trail that we used to circle back down from the summit. We were the only ones in sight, as the hustle and bustle of the harbor down below seemed very far away.

This was a peek through the forest off the west side of Mt Eyak, looking out towards the narrow waterways we used to get here.

I couldn't help but add a few panoramas, the views were just too good all around.

This part of the trail is big enough for a snowcat, since it is part of the Mt Eyak Ski area here in Cordova.

The sign of the Alaskan Hotel fell off during the 1964 earthquake, but when it was put back up, upside down, no one touched it again. It is a reminder of that day, and a fun quirk of an already quirky town.

As always, keep traveling and keep posting. What a beautiful world we live in. And it is at your fingertips.

• Dai Mar