It began cooling in mid-September, as expected, and a sunny interval provided a nice window for an undemanding short hike on the Byron Glacier Trail near Portage, about 60 minutes south of Anchorage. Crisp light and temperatures made for a nice outing.  Byron is a hanging glacier, suspended in a scenic valley beneath Byron Peak (4750 feet). The trail approach is gentle and the main issues when we went were unmasked hikers passing on a four-foot wide trail and a few unleashed dogs that were not fully controlled. 

The hike was too short and too easy for serious exercise, but was perfect for ambling with a camera. The surrounding hillsides make for deep shadows and serious avalanche hazard when snow is present. The entire area, from Portage to Portage Lake and the hike on the Byron Glacier Trail, is encompassed by mountains ranging from about 3,500 feet to 6,000 feet. The valley floor is barely above sea level, so what you read is what you get, visually. 

There are stunning ice caves near the glacier. Too stunning. Collapses have killed several people in the last few years. 

Still enough foliage to throw nice leaf shadows on a cotton wood trunk:

Frost was killing the devils club.

Looking up the valley to the glacier. With snow, avalanches would be a serious risk depending on conditions.

Flat rock in dark gray

Frost comes early in a valley cooled by a glacier.

Fall colors near timberline

Portage Lake on a warmish fall day attracted kayakers.

Portage Lake is surrounded by mountains and glaciers.

Striated rock near Visitors Center 

On the drive back to Anchorage, views across the Inlet, in the direction of Hope.  The water was almost flat calm; no tide at the moment.