Weird contrails above Anchorage
 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...-contrails.jpg

Many times when I look up over the Chugach range, I can see Tpac flights heading from Asia to the Lower 48. Did this plane decide to turn around? Is it even from a commercial flight? I'm a little perplexed. Edit: I took this photo around 2:15pm today.

Chemtrails. Definitely chemtrails. :D

probably an en route hold for separation, or for the crew to try to resolve a caution/warning indicator before continuing

Military? :D

Maybe the Bogoslov volcano eruption out on the chain? Waiting to see which way the ash cloud is blowing?

Sounds like a reasonable explanation.

Heard @ it on the news, thankfully it sounded like it was a short eruption this time.

I thought so too until I talked to someone else who mentioned they saw the jet make the turns. The person said it looked to be a commercial or cargo plane, not military.

If a plane was waiting to see which way the ash plume was headed, they'd probably do a typical holding pattern above ANC until they were certain they'd be able to continue on course without a reroute that would require more fuel. If the detour was too long, they'd have to land at ANC to gas up. Suitable diversion airports (e.g. CDB) are not thick on the ground after ANC if you're heading to Asia.