Chugach Mountains, Anchorage

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This trail runs a long while, from the Glen Alps area to the Indian trailhead. It cuts up through a glacier-cut valley, past the cirque at the top and over the namesake pass, descending down to the other trailhead on the other side. Getting up through the pass is a bit of a huff, ascending 1300' on one side and 1900+' on the other. But it makes going down a lot of fun :)

Keep your eyes out for moose and other wildlife. Also in the late summer, mossberries and blueberries grow in profusion along the trail and river.

Trail length: 11 miles or 17.6 km (one way)

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Chugach State Park is the third largest state park in the country, covering nearly a half-million acres of wilderness (that's larger than most National Parks down in the lower 48). The park provides a bit of solace from the city-weary, offering wildlife, hiking, climbing, camping, and backpacking. It is a tremendous place to visit, and easily accessible.

We took the trail towards Powerline Pass, and saw 2 moose in a clearing, along with lots of berries and tundra plants along the river there.

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Chugach State park is a huge 1/2 million acre park on Anchorage's east side. It offers many hiking opportunities; and a short drive from downtown Anchorage. I hiked up Flatop mountain on the cities southeast side.

View the sunset behind Sleeping Lady, watch teh alpenglow build on the Denali. A spectacular vista in Anchorage with Cook Inlet at your feet and veiws of over 150 miles. See Baluga whales feeding on salmon.

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Hiking in the Chugach Mountains. The Chugach Mountains are located near to Anchorage and offers good hiking opportunities. The various trails will bring you into the world of beautiful mountainous landscape and wild animals. You can get a bird's eye view of Anchorage from the mountains. On a clear day, you can ever see as far as the Aleutian Islands. More photos and information are at my VT Chugach Mountains page.

There are a couple of things that make this a great hike: 1. The Turnagain Trail is one of the first trails to be snow-free in the spring making it a safe option long before the high country melts out. 2. Great views for little work - because of it's gentle grade and multiple exit/turnaround points it is ideal for anyone no matter the shape they are in.

Turnagain Arm Trail parallels the Seward Highway and overlooks the saltwater for it's entire length. The trail runs along Turnagain Arm for 9.5 miles from the south side of Potter's Marsh to Windy Point. Spur trails at McHugh Creek and Rainbow are alternate places to start your hike if you don't feel like doing the entire trail. The nice thing about this hike is that the hills are rolling and you don't gain too much elevation which makes it good for anyone who just wants to get out in the woods for a walk. Can be very windy some days so prepare for a different temperature than in the city.

What makes this hike a favorite of mine is the fact that you won't likely see anyone beyond mile four. The terrain in the valley is varied and interesting and the surrounding peaks look awesome. Watch for moose, ptarmagain, fox, and ground squirrels.

There are actually four different destinations that can all be done in one day or on four seperate hikes depending on how far you are willing to go. The Wedge and the Ramp are peaks that lie on either side of Ship Pass and Hidden Lake is in a cirque below O'Malley Peak. If you are just going to Hidden Lake it's about 9 miles round-trip and The Wedge is about a 12 with the others in between. If you intend to summit the two peaks and see the lake start early because it will take some time. High point is around 5300 feet above sea level. This is a fairly long hike so bring extra clothes, food and water. The weather can change quickly and temperature varies quite a bit between the valley floor and the peaks.

From Glen Alps follow the spur trail out to Powerline Trail. Go right (southeast) for 2 miles to a signpost at the intersection with a smaller trail. Go left and cross Campbell Creek (you may get wet if it is spring flow). Follow the trail as it gains a minor bench. When you come to your second creek crossing you will see Ship Lake Pass straight ahead at the end of the valley you are about to enter. The path that goes left leads to Hidden Lake and the approach to the Ramp. The trail straight up the valley floor takes you to Ship Pass and the Wedge. If you are going to do a touch-em-all route I would do the Ramp first then the Wedge. Hidden lake is in the cirque up to your left. The trail to the ramp follows the ridge above Hidden Lake and traverses toward the summit (the higher you go the more this looks like a sheep trail). If Ship Lake Pass is your destination you will make your way up the bottom of the valley and start climbing toward the ridge that separates the two peaks. This is also the route to the Wedge just continue up to the summit on your right.

Wolverine is the big brother to the Near Point hike. At 4500 feet above sea level standing on it's angled summit you will feel like you have accomplished a fairly substantial undertaking. The views of surrounding peaks and valleys make the trek well worth it. Keep an eye out for moose in the valley and ptarmagain, ground squirrels and the occasional herd of dahl sheep as you climb up the rugged tundra.

This is a 10 mile round-trip hike that gains about 3500 feet of elevation from Prospect Heights to the top. This route is commonly used by Anchorage athletes training for the Mountain Marathon series and it always shocks me to see someone run by me as I am huffing my way toward the top!

From the parking lot at Prospect Heights follow the wide trail to a T junction and go left. The trail meanders through the woods and down to Campbell Creek. Stay on the main well marked trail until you come to an intersection with Near Point Trail. Go right. After about a mile you will come out of the brush and gain your first ridge. There is a large rock cairn at the ridge. From here you go left along the well worn trail. Wolverine is the mountain farthest back and to your right. Follow the track up the ridge in front of you. You will gain a false summit with a wrecked airplane frame. From here continue up and to your right roughly a half mile to the summit.