The following beckons the reader to a no-secret, off-the-beaten-path trail. You’re invited to a route so on-the-map it begins at an immensely popular campground that is visited by countless Alaskan families every single summer, including my own. I’m talking about the Curry Ridge Trail at scenic K’esugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park.

What stands out, besides all that lush, natural wilderness, is the downright cacophony of peak berry picking options come July and August. Naturally, you start with both alpine and bog blueberries, mosey on to the multitudes of currants, admire the quirky and tart traveling raspberries, soak in the highbush crans and endless lingonberries to be, behold the precious cloudberries at the top, and surrender to the glistening lure of perhaps the most fascinating of all, watermelon berries.

From the red to pink, purple, and orange, these luminescent jewels catch my eye first every single year. Watermelon berries are a member of the Liliaceae family. The lush green plant, also known as twisted stalk, has shimmering, oblong fruit that looks right out of a fairy tale, or let’s be real, a tropical jungle. And yet, here they are, all over the north!

They’re quite the cute yet conspicuous conversation starter on the trail, with a juicy bite and intriguingly cucumber-esque flavor that makes me reach for more around every bend.

Each berry makes you contemplate, “…just what am I tasting?” as you think, “berry, cucumber… watermelon!” and soak in that little burst of pleasantly mild sweetness that makes them even more refreshing on a hot day.

Ditto is said for the following Watermelon Berry Mezcal Cooler, in which smoky mezcal complements the light cucumber vibes for an alluring summer cocktail.