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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:02 am
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Bodenburg Butte
Another hike with an exceptionally long season (early April through October most years), Bodenburg is quick and steep, good to include in a day exploring the Matanuska Valley, or as a destination in itself when weather or conditions make more substantial destinations unreasonably difficult. Though not very large, Bodenburg is in quite a unique position, an isolated fist of rock smack in the middle of the flat Knik / Matanuska River outwash plain, right in between the valley giants, Pioneer and Matanuska Peaks. The Knik River Valley is tucked into a fold on the leeward side of the Chugach Mountains and has a strong rainshadow effect. This has allowed sagebrush and aspen to take root in the deep loess on the southern side of the hill, where the trail ascends. This combined with farm fields, and the huge Knik Glacier in the near distance make for quite a unique, if short outing. There are two trails up the Butte. I recommend the southern one, which is on private land. There’s a small parking lot but the owners request a small donation. I recommend paying it because public access to private land is a rare gift.
Round Trip: 1 mile.
Elevation Gain: 800ft.
Bodenburg Butte View from Bodenburg Butte, Palmer 063 (5) 059 (9) 052 (5) 051 (7) 050 (8) 048 (5) 045 (6) 036 (3) 028 (4) 027 (5) 023 (4) 021 (3) 066 (3) 067 (4) 069 (5) 070 (3) 072 (7) 080 (2) Bodenburg Butte (2) Bodenburg Butte (3) Bodenburg Butte Hike, Palmer Bodenburg Butte, Knik Glacier Bodenburg Butte, Palmer Bodenburg Butte
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:02 am
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Hatcher Pass
Lots of short hikes and good winter wandering to do around here.
Hatcher Pass Trails View from Hatcher Pass Road, Palmer 007 (2) 009 (3) 009 (5) 010 (6) 011 (3) 015 (4) 016 (8) 017 018 (3) 018 (5) 022 (7) 097 (2) 096 095 093 072 (3) 069 (4) 052 (2) 051 (4) 042 (4) 040 (4) 030 (3) 024 (8) 098 100 (4) 100 103 104 112 114 Hatcher Pass Lodge, Palmer Hatcher Pass Road Hatcher Pass, near Palmer Near Hatcher Pass, Palmer Pioneer Peak from Lazy Mountain, Palmer
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:03 am
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Knik River
This is not at all a common hike, and can only be done during a short window in late winter, when days are long enough, and the Knik River is solidly frozen, allowing access. It was especially fun for me since I was able to do it literally from my cabin where I was living at the time, though it was a long hike, at about 18 miles round trip. For everybody else though, access for this hike is where Knik River Road crosses Hunter Creek. Walk down the creekbed until it intersects the main Knik River gravel bars, then just walk right up the river. I went as far as the recent terminal moraine, and the frozen lake in front of the glacier, studded with icebergs. It's truly an awesome spot, with the 4-mile wide face of this massive glacier staring you in the face with the high peaks of the inner Chugach beyond.
Knik Valley Winter Trails 157 044 047 049 051 075 078 090 153 145 142 138 132 123 121 113 (3) 104 (2) 102 100 (3) 094
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:03 am
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Lazy Mountain
This is a popular Mat-Su Valley Hike, just outside the town of Palmer. The old trail that I’m accustomed to is steep as hell, climbing 3,000 feet in 2 miles, and with a middle section much steeper than the rest. Worse, if it’s rained recently, the fine packed dirt that makes up the tread offers absolutely no traction. Fortunately, I think a new trail has been built by volunteers, though I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet. In any case, this hike offers an experience much like Mt. Pilchuck in Western Washington, with a view over icy mountainous wilderness in one direction, and the civilized Mat-Su Valley in the other. On a very clear day, the high, white mountains across Cook Inlet are also visible in the distance. This makes an excellent half day workout hike in dry conditions, with a south facing ridge offering snow-free hiking longer than most high country hikes in the region. As an added bonus, I’ve had quite a reaction from acquaintances in Palmer after returning from Lazy in December – “you just went WHERE?!”
Round Trip: 4 miles.
Elevation Gain: 2900 ft.
Matanuska Peak, Lazy Mountain View up Knik River from Lazy Mountain 002 (7) 005 (7) 006 (9) 007 (5) 008 (4) 017 (8) Chugach peaks from Lazy Mountain 018 (6) From Lazy Mountain, near Palmer Lazy Mountain Hike (4) Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer (2) View from Lazy Mountain Pioneer Peak from Lazy Mountain, Palmer (2) Mt. Spurr and Palmer from Lazy Mountain Mt. Redoubt over Palmer, from Lazy Mountain Me at lonely picnic table, Lazy Mountain Matanuska River from Lazy Mountain Lazy Mountain Hike Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer (6) Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer (5) Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer (4) Lazy Mountain Hike, Palmer (3)
Matanuska Peak
The locals (ahem, me) know this as Byers Peak. It would be fair to call this hike the big brother of Lazy Mountain; both rise far above the east side of Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, and there’s actually an annual adventure race that combines the two in a great big loop. It is also, coincidently, the highest elevation marked route in the state (the fiberglass markers wedged between boulders near the summit could hardly be called a trail, but you take what you can get). Late in my first summer up here, I climbed up this summit one day on the pretense that it was best to work through a cold, that a good stiff climb would make me feel better. Well over a vertical mile of elevation gain later, I wasn’t so certain. My absolute immobility the next day confirmed my suspicion. All in all, just another spectacular alpine hike on the edge of suburbia and absolute wilderness.
Round Trip: 10.4 miles.
Elevation Gain: 5700 ft.
Palmer from Matanuska Peak Lazy Mountain Hike (2) Lazy Mountain Hike (3) Matanuska Peak Hike, Palmer (2) Matanuska Peak hike, Palmer (3) Matanuska Peak Hike, Palmer (4) Matanuska Peak Hike, Palmer (5) Matanuska Peak hike, Palmer (6) Matanuska Peak Hike, Palmer Matanuska Peak Hike
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:04 am
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Pioneer Peak
At the top of this hike, you’ll find a view that goes well beyond what you’ll usually find in trail-accessible Alaska. The Knik River Valley cuts a deep and wide cleft in the western Chugach Mountains, and its upper reaches are occupied by the closest large glacier to Anchorage (and by large, I mean the ice age hasn’t ended there yet). Behind the glacier are the very remote inner peaks of the high Chugach, one of the snowiest places on the planet.
You have to earn it though. Below brush line, the trail does switchback, but it’s definitely on the rough, eroded, and muddy side on this sun starved north facing slope. Once you hit brush line, the trail turns into a well used boot path and zips steeply up a side ridge. That’s alright though because the views are ever-improving from this point. Like a couple other Mat-Su area trails, there are even several picnic tables (!) from which to enjoy the views. Once the main ridge line is reached, a panorama of the roughest, iciest peaks in Chugach State Park competes for your attention. Of course, Palmer and the Mat-Su Valley is also visible down below, in the other direction. There’s no trail to either summit of Pioneer Peak itself, but the south summit is a highly recommended easy scramble – if you’ve still got any energy at this point.
Round Trip: about 13 miles to peak, 8.6 miles to ridge.
Elevation Gain: 6615 feet to peak, 5200 feet to ridge
Pioneer Ridge 015 020 022 023 (2) 028 039 (5) 043 054 (4) 069 (3) 075 (5) 082 (3) 087 (3) 144 (5) 139 (3) 132 (4) 130 (3) 125 (3) 119 (3) 116 (2) 115 (6) 106 (2) 105 (4) 095 (4) 090 (4) 154 (3) 159 (4) 160 (7) 165 (2) 178 (2) Knik Glacier, Pioneer Ridge Hike Pioneer Peak hike, Palmer Pioneer Ridge Hike in October, Knik River Pioneer Ridge Hike, Knik River (2) Pioneer Ridge Hike, Knik River Pioneer Ridge Hike, Palmer (2) Pioneer Ridge Hike, Palmer (3) Pioneer Ridge Hike, Palmer 005 009 (8)
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:04 am
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Reed Lakes
For years, Hatcher Pass was something like a secret, only 60 miles or so from Anchorage, the old mining road passes farm fields and homesteads and then through “the portal,” a narrow canyon along the Little Susitna River, and enters the Talkeetna Mountain Range, a surprising land of sparse Cottonwood groves in its lower valleys, vast tracts of alpine tundra in the middle elevations, and relatively short but jagged granitic peaks up high. In recent years, the paved road to Independence Mine Historical Site has greatly increased the traffic to these mountains, but the balance between gentle meadow country and jagged peaks invites exploration, and better summer weather in this transitional climate makes the Talkeetnas a personal favorite. A gravel road splits off the main route, over Hatcher Pass itself and eventually down to Willow, on the Parks Highway. The road over the pass, and the side road to Reed Lakes trailhead are usually open 4th of July through September.
Reed Lakes specifically might be the most spectacular maintained trail in the Talkeetnas. The last quarter mile to the trailhead can be a bit much, so be prepared to park and walk. No matter, the beginning of the trail is on an old road anyway. Soon enough, you reach a dilapidated cabin and the footpath ascends the headwall, and then through a narrow boulder-strewn canyon to reach Lower Reed Lake, surrounded by beautiful alpine country, big granite boulders, and jagged spires. Upper Reed Lake fits the same description, but adds in a nice waterfall, and generally higher snowier country. One can actually make a cross country traverse over a high notch behind the lake, across a small glacier (crampons required – generally no problem with crevasses) and over another notch to pick up the Mint Glacier Trail and complete a loop to the road (well, a short hitchhike will be required).
Though the Talkeetnas have some great trails like Reed Lakes and Mint Glacier, their real value lies in accessible cross country exploring and exceptional peak bagging. With care, most of the peaks here can be scrambled (no technical gear), but lots of mid-grade single and multi-pitch rock climbing is also around for those so inclined.
Round Trip: 8.2 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1900 feet.
Reed Lakes Reed Lakes Hike Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (10) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (9) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (8) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (7) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (6) Reed Lakes hike, Palmer (5) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (4) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (3) Reed Lakes Hike, Palmer (2) Reed Lakes Hike (2)
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:05 am
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Chugach State Park
Chugach State Park
Download full resolution map here:Chugach State Park 293 301 Turnagain Arm (2) Turnagain Arm (3) Turnagain Arm, Seward Highway Turnagain Arm Tordrillo Mountains across Cook Inlet 028 032 (3) Neacola Mountains from Eagle River Viewpoint Mt. Spurr across Cook Inlet from Anchorage Mt. Russell from Eagle River viewpoint Mt. Foraker, from Road above Eagle River Kichatna Spires from Eagle River viewpoint (very surprized to see this) Eagle River Valley from end of road Eagle River Nature Center Eagle River Nature Center (3) Eagle River Nature Center (2) 048 (2) 046 (3) 042 (3) View from Glen Alps trailhead, Anchorage Anchorage from Earthquake Park Anchorage Denali from Anchorage Glen Alps Trailhead, Anchorage Road to Glen Alps Trailhead
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:05 am
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Anchorage Front Range
Anchorage Front Range Detail
Download full resolution map here:Anchorage Front Range Detail
Wolverine Peak
This is another dayhike just behind Anchorage, which is quite popular, but not as crowded as Flattop – Anchorage’s Tiger Mountain. The trail to Wolverine starts at Prospect Heights Trailhead in suburban Anchorage. It follows the powerline trail and an old road for awhile, then shoots upward as a foot trail. When it reaches a side ridge, it’s above the trees and brush. The view from the top includes a beautiful angle on the Williwaw Lakes area and much of western Chugach State Park – as well as all of Anchorage.
Round Trip: about 9 miles.
Elevation Gain: 3400ft.
Wolverine Peak, Anchorage 031 034 040 045 (2) Achorage from the Chugach Range Baldy trail, Eagle River Hiking near Anchorage O'Malley Peak Hike, Anchorage Wolverine Peak hike, Anchorage (2) Wolverine Peak Hike, Anchorage Wolverine Peak Hike
Rendezvous Peak
Round Trip: 3.4 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1500ft.
Rabbit Lake
Round Trip: 8.4 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1300ft.
O’Malley Peak
This is the most striking peak on the Chugach skyline from most locations in Anchorage, especially the Dimond area where it takes on a jagged, slumped Matterhorn-like form. This fact makes it rather odd that it didn’t receive a name more appropriate than that of the suburban street leading off in its direction… No matter though because it provides a really exceptional half day scramble, right on the outskirts of town. Through the wet meadows of Campbell Creek Valley, this hike shares a short portion with the Williwaw Lakes Trail, which looks likely to provide the best overnight or 3-day backpacking / peak bagging trip in the Chugach “front range” (the line of 5-6000 foot peaks right behind Anchorage). I haven’t been out that way yet though. Even better, this spot seems to really attract moose during the fall rut, and is often a great location to (carefully!) observe interesting moose behavior. Anyway, after splitting off the Williwaw Lakes trail, the O’Malley route climbs steeply up to the “ballfield,” a nearly flat tundra plateau. After crossing this, you’ve got to leave the established trail over some easy boulders, aiming for a wide scree gully that leads to the ridge west of O’Malley’s summit. From this vantage, the gully looks very steep, but it’s not really too bad (avoid in early season snow however). From the notch, pick your way up the ridge to the east, staying to the south of the jagged ridge line itself. After a couple false summits, you’ll find yourself on top, with a satisfyingly airy view down the cliff to the north.
Round Trip: 8 miles.
Elevation Gain: 3000ft.
O'Malley Peak Anchorage from O'Malley Peak Moose in Chugach Park Moose in Chugach State Park O'Malley Peak (2) O'Malley Peak (3) O'Malley Peak Hike 005 011
McHugh Peak
Round Trip: about 6.8 miles.
Elevation gain: about 4000ft.
Just south of Anchorage sits a great (though very popular) trailhead on the shore of Turnagain Arm. This spot wouldn’t be so neat in mid-summer, but dry conditions, winter winds, and lots of spring sun give it a much longer snow free season than just about anywhere else in southcentral Alaska (early May – October). This route to McHugh Peak starts on the Rabbit Lake Trail. I’ve never been to Rabbit Lake from this side, though I have been up there from the Rabbit Creek Valley (lots of trails in this area). It’s a spectacular spot, though quite literally within sight of Anchorage. The rough path to McHugh though cuts off to the left up a scree field. If you watch where you’re going, this scree doesn’t get really laborious until near the top (scrambling up the righthand gully wall might offer some relief right at the top). Once on the ridge, some light scrambling alternating with weird high plateaus eventually lead you to the summit. I don’t think I’ve been all the way (this is something I should really remember…), but I’ve been close. The position right at the corner of this section of the Chugach Mountains gives spectacular views over Turnagain Arm to the Kenai Peninsula.
Turnagain Arm from McHugh Peak Anchorage from McHugh Peak McHugh Peak Hike (2) McHugh Peak Hike (4) McHugh Peak hike, Anchorage (2) McHugh Peak hike, Anchorage (3) McHugh Peak hike, Anchorage McHugh Peak hike, Turnagain Arm McHugh Peak hike Mt. Spurr across Cook Inlet Parking lot from McHugh Peak hike
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:06 am
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Bird Ridge
This hike provides an excellent workout, almost on the scale of something like Mailbox Peak near Seattle. It also has a longer season than most trails above treeline due to its exposure to winter winds, to spring sun, and to its low trailhead at sea level. Most years, it opens up in late April or so, and remains more or less snowfree through early October. Without the benefit of switchbacks, the trail climbs just over 3,000ft. in less than 2 miles, straight up from the shore of Turnagain Arm. The tread is mostly clear, though some rocky areas might initially confuse. Understandably, the views of the fjord-like inlet surrounded by mountains are quite spectacular. Like most hikes so close to Anchorage, this one is really popular on nice weekend days, especially among the uber fitness types (I’ve been passed by runners…). Most folks turn around where the hill eases off, or at the next photogenic ridge bump, but one can continue another 4 miles along the much mellower ridge, back to a small summit which overlooks much of Chugach State Park.
Round Trip: 4 miles to high point.
Elevation Gain: 3250ft.
Bird Ridge Trail Turnagain Arm from Bird Ridge 053 (6) 054 (6) 060 (5) 265 (2) Bird Ridge Bird Ridge Hike Bird Ridge Hike, Anchorage Bird Ridge Hike (7) Bird Ridge Hike (6) Bird Ridge Hike (5) Bird Ridge Hike (4) Bird Ridge Hike (3) Bird Ridge Hike (2) 277 268 (2) 266 (2)
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:07 am
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Eagle River
This is just the other end of the “historic Iditarod trail” over Crow Pass between Girdwood and Eagle River, but it makes a good low elevation shoulder season hike when the pass is impassable. The Eagle River Nature Center gets my vote for most spectacular view within 10 miles of a Walmart on the planet. They have some neat displays and some sort of educational program, but also charge a parking fee separate from the regular state parks fee. This irritates me more than it probably should. Anyway, there are several short interpretive trails near the road end, and the Eagle River Trail itself winds along, mostly flat for miles through the glacial canyon. Some of the walls in this area are really impressive and bring to mind a combination of the North Cascades and Canadian Rockies. There is some excellent intermediate mountaineering around here also for those so inclined. On the April day that these pictures were taken, I made it out to a spot called “The Perch” a rock outcrop about 4 miles from the trailhead. Much of the way, I hiked on the river gravel bars instead of the trail for better views. I also thrashed up through the brush to get a better view of the canyon. This is also the approach for some climbs in the area. Incidentally, I recommend doing the big Iditarod Trail traverse from this direction, since it puts the long valley walk at the beginning with climactic Crow Pass on the last day where it belongs.
Round Trip: 8 miles to “The Perch”
Elevation Gain: 500ft.
Eagle River Polar Bear Peak, Eagle River hike Eagle River Hike (2) Eagle River Hike (3) Eagle River Hike (4) Eagle River Hike
Crow Pass
Here we’ve got a shortened Alaska version of the Haute Route, which comes in 3 flavors. Day hike the 4 miles to Crow Pass from the Girdwood side; backpack the whole 26 mile trail (with a relatively easy river ford) over the pass to Eagle River; or take the glacier route, staying at high mountain huts, to Eklutna Lake. So far, I’ve only done the day hike. High forest, tundra, mountain lakes, an impressive glacier, you get the idea. This is Chugach State Park at its best. From the Girdwood side, there’s a couple trails – one to the right switchbacks and sidehills across scree, while the one to the left winds through some old mining junk before ascending more steeply to the pass. One benefit of the lower trail though is a very cool little waterfall canyon to explore. It’s worth the mining junk.
Round Trip: 6.4 miles to pass.
Elevation Gain: 2500ft. to pass.
One way: about 25 miles to Eagle River Nature Center
Elevation Gain: +3000 ft. -3900 ft.
Crow Pass Trail Crow Pass hike, Girdwood (2) Crow Pass Hike, Girdwood Crow Pass Hike, Girdwood (6) Crow Pass Hike, Girdwood (5) Crow Pass Hike, Girdwood (4) Crow Pass Hike, Girdwood (3)
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:07 am
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Eagle and Symphony Lakes
This area, the south fork Eagle River Valley, offers a great opportunity for establishing a basecamp and heading off in several directions to bag some big, but non-technical peaks, or just to explore the beautiful alpine tundra and lake basins beneath the peaks. Like most mountainous areas in Alaska, the low northern treeline lends to vast areas of tundra, an environment that will be rather different and fascinating to someone coming from just about anywhere else. Here in fact, the trailhead is at the edge of subalpine surburbia. Strange… Also, the contrast between turquoise Eagle Lake and non-glacial Symphony Lake is interesting. The hike to Eagle Lake is about 5 miles, with a big old rockslide with loose talus to pick through at the end (looks like a moraine but it’s not). You’ll have to look a bit for a good campsite here, but the central location’s worth it. There’s a site just before the ridge steepens, and more down by Symphony Lake and near the far end of Eagle Lake. For peaks, you’ve got the relatively easy Triangle, and the harder Cantata just above the lakes. Then there’s Eagle Peak, so impressive from the Eagle River Nature Center, which is accessed up the valley beyond Eagle Lake, towards Flute Glacier. The lakes are a popular dayhike, but I’d highly recommend sticking around to enjoy the area, maybe my favorite in Chugach State Park.
Round Trip: About 10 miles to Symphony Lake
Elevation Gain: 950 ft.
Eagle, Symphony Lakes Eagle Lake Hike Eagle Lake hike, Eagle River (2) Eagle Lake Hike, Eagle River (3) Eagle Lake Hike, Eagle River (4) Eagle Lake Hike, Eagle River (5) Eagle Lake Hike, Eagle River (6) Eagle Lake Hike, Eagle River (7) Eagle Lake hike, Eagle River
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:07 am
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Harp Mountain
Round Trip: about 3 miles.
Elevation Gain: 2650 ft.
Harp Mountain 108 (3) 016 042 048 053 056 040 030 (2) 107 (5) 106 (5) 099 (4) 097 (3) 095 (6) 093 (6) 084 (2) 081 079 063
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:08 am
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Mile Hi Pass
Round Trip: about 2 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft.
Mile Hi Pass 013 (2) 016 (3) 017 (4) 022 (3)
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:08 am
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Mt. Magnificent / Significant
This northwestern section of Chugach State Park, near Eagle River, offers some extraordinary meadowy ridge walks. This one is accessed by Mile Hi Road, one of the fascinating suburban streets that switchback steeply up the valley walls in Eagle River. The hike starts at a communications tower, leads to a subalpine pass, and then up onto the ridge, which you can follow for miles and miles if you wish, with only the faintest tread to help out. The wilderness/rural/suburban views of Eagle River Valley are spectacular, and the high mountains get more impressive as you make your way east along the ridge.
Round Trip: 6.4 miles.
Elevation Gain: 4000 ft.
Mt. Significan 014 (2) 003 (6) 004 (4) 007 012 (3) Hiking near Eagle River (3) Hiking above Eagle River
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Mega-Will country bumpkin
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 655 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympic Peninsula |
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Mega-Will
country bumpkin
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Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:09 am
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Twin Peaks
The main trail here climbs steadily on an old road, offering great views of Eklutna Lake and the high peaks of Chugach State Park that surround it. From the park bench (…) viewpoint at a switchback however, a boot path heads straight up. I’ve come to really appreciate this path because of the southern exposure which makes it passable in early May. The path is extremely steep though for the first 1000 feet or so to the ridge. The climb up the ridge is steady and seemingly endless for those of us in early season condition, but pretty reasonable and with great views. A little scrambling leads to an unnamed summit on the ridge east of the jagged Twin Peaks themselves, far above Eklutna Lake. The view from here includes much of what can be seen from the Pioneer Peak trail, not quite as spectacular, but hikeable about two months earlier in the season.
Eklutna Lake accesses many other backcountry destinations. Bikes can be ridden along the lakeshore trail (along with ATVs part of the week, Sunday through Wednesday I think) which leads all the way back to the rather luxurious Serenity Falls Hut. I’ve done the Bold Ridge Trail, about 5 miles down the lake, but again, can’t find my pictures… It’s a beautiful hike, I swear. Some excellent, tough, long scambles and mountaineering routes are also located back there. Check out the guide book.
Round Trip: 5.5 miles.
Elevation Gain: 4500 feet.
Twin Peaks Twin Peaks, Eklutna 007 010 020 (8) 041 (4) Bold Peak, Eklutna Lake Eklutna Lake hike (2) Eklutna Lake Hike (3) Eklutna Lake Hike (4) Twin Peaks, Eklutna (2) Mountain near Eklutna Eklutna Lake Hike Eklutna Lake Hike, between Anchorage and Palmer Eklutna Lake Hike (12) Eklutna Lake hike (11) Eklutna Lake Hike (10) Eklutna Lake Hike (9) Eklutna Lake hike (8) Eklutna Lake hike (7) Eklutna Lake hike (6) Eklutna Lake Hike (5)
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