 |
||
| 123 |      Photos Map |
) |
| Last Updated: May 06, 2007 | ||
Difficulty |
Easy- some hills and a big one at the end but otherwise flat. | |
Connects With |
Anchorage Greenbelt Trails | |
Miles One Way |
11 | |
Miles
from
|
In town | |
General Vicinity |
Municipality of Anchorage | |
Season |
All year | |
Description |
Anchorage has some of the nicest city
trails in the world and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is its crown jewel.
While I'm counting this as a hike, I recommend renting a bike for
this. Most of ride is around Cook Inlet as well as marsh, muskeg, and spruce forest connecting Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof, and Kincaid Park. There are great views of Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna), Fire Island, and on clear days, Denali. I am not kidding you when I tell you I've seen more wildlife on this trail than in the backcountry including red fox, coyote, moose galore, bald eagles and countless waterfowl. If you're lucky, you may see whales at Point Woronzof. If you have a day in town between adventures, rent a bike and do it. You won't be sorry. ***** The following is a contribution from Ross Timm: I grew up here and just discovered a hidden Anchorage secret--- the Anchorage version of a Puget Sound beach... The rise of terrain at Kincaid's ski chalet ends at the waters edge with an extremely steep gravel and sand bluff, a few hundred feet tall (yes, I had to climb it.) Anyway-- this has produced a REAL beach in Anchorage-- no mud flats, actual beachcombing (although do not expect seaweed or shells-- I am guessing that the Cook Inlet's tides and climate just do not allow them-- because I never see them here like I do in Prince William Sound). To access this beach-- and I guess a lot of teens
do on hot summer days, go down the big hill from the chalet until the
trail levels off and turns right at the lower bluff to begin following
the coast. Here, at the turn, is a bench-- you will see a foot path going
off into the woods and one going down the bluff-- ignore the latter (it
leads to the beach but only through some grass lands and safe mud flats)
and follow the former-- it parallels the low bluff until you approach
the tall bluff-- here you will see the beach-- proceed down the steep
trail to the waters edge-- you have over a mile of pure Puget Sound
beach, with new views and even waves. Who ever said we only have
mudflats? |
|
Important Information |
WARNING! It
is highly likely that you will encounter moose on the trail (and I mean
ON! the trail). Be careful riding fast when you can't see far
ahead of you. If a moose is off to the side you can usually pass
without impunity, but don't linger. If you see a cow with her calves,
use extreme caution! When in doubt, turn back. Go to my Education
page for more info on these big guys. WARNING! Under no circumstances should you ever walk onto a mudflat. It is very similar to quicksand and you will find it very hard to remove your feet from the mud. With one of the fastest tides in the world, you're looking at a deadly combination. Even though this is a city trail, there are no stores or vendors along the way. Make sure you bring a water bottle and some snacks if necessary. At the end of the trail is Kincaid Park where you will find a community center open till 10 pm with restrooms and vending machines. |
|
Etc. |
You can rent bicycles from many
places downtown and midtown. There's a great shop at 4th and D in
the Ship Creek Plaza.
Someday this trail will go all the way to Portage Valley. Until then, there is also great biking on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm |
|
