June 14, July 7, and August 15, 2018- Mentasta Lake, Alaska

Mentasta Lake became one of our favorite places to visit on the road from Tok to Anchorage. It was an unofficial roadside pullout but it was one of the most beautiful places we visited. We stopped by this lake three times this summer. Notice how the scenery changed each time.

SPRING. June 14–There is still snow in the mountains. A few flowers are blooming but the fireweed, which can be seen everywhere later in the summer, is nowhere to be seen.

SUMMER. July 7–Notice the mountains behind the lake now have less snow. The fireweed is in full bloom. There were two pairs of trumpeter swans nesting on the lake. One pair had several babies. It was adorable.

FALL. August 15–It’s hard to believe but summer is already waning and it feels like fall. Notice there is only a small amount of snow left on the mountains. The fireweed has already finished blooming and the leaves of the plant are turning colors. They say that winter is only a few weeks away.