 |
||
|
THIS HIKE WAS SUBMITTED BY LOUISE WILLIAMS |
||
| 123 |    Photos Map |
)
|
| Last Updated: July 03, 2007 | ||
Difficulty |
Somewhat Easy. The section from the mine to
the glacier is not too steep but the trail is easy to lose and there may
be some scrambling involved. ***** The Following was Submitted by Philip Walters: I hiked Snowbird Mine and Glacier for the second time yesterday, and I have to say that whoever marked this trail as "somewhat easy" in the difficulty rating must have been there on an amazing (and atypical) day. I would have to say that this trail is somewhat difficult to strenuous! Yesterday we encountered snowfields that covered most of the trail up the valley, a temperature drop of 20 to 30 degrees from the trailhead to the pass, thick, disorienting fog, and even a large rockslide (which occurred behind us in the valley as we neared the top of the pass). Unchanged by the weather is the fact that the trail is VERY poorly marked (it's very hard to see the tiny, widely-spaced trail markers made of rock in the middle of a boulder field... also made of rocks...) and there are a few sections of trail that are almost vertical. There is quite a great deal of boulder hopping involved as well. I love this trail and think the views, the terrain, and the general remoteness make it very typically Alaskan, but I would have to heartily disagree on the difficulty rating. Somebody could easily get themselves into trouble on this trail if they underestimate its physical and mental demands. (I love this site! Thank you for such a
great resource!) |
|
Connects
|
Reed Lake Archangel Valley |
|
Miles
One
|
5 miles | |
Miles
from
|
56 (Near Palmer) | |
General Vicinity |
Matanuska Valley (Hatcher's Pass) | |
Season |
June through September | |
Description |
We took this hike as an overnight trip to
the mine with a side trip to the glacier. The area just above the mine
is very flat and a good place for camping. There is plenty of room for
exploration, with a mine entrance on the hillside and a hanging valley
with a lake in it.
The trip up to the glacier is not incredibly difficult, but the trail was easy to lose as you are making your way through a boulder field. We ended up going off to the right in the valley, and hanging off the side of some pretty steep sections. Oops. So if you're going up to the glacier, stick to the left (south) side of the valley. Snowbird glacier is really a glacier remnant, so not as impressive as Exit Glacier or such. I really liked exploring the area and seeing what's left of the mine. It's a pretty easy hike with a couple steep bits. A good trip to
bring people who are in shape but not familiar with Alaska backpacking.
Of course, it can get windy and cold so the right gear is a must (just
like any Alaska hike). |
|
Important Information |
My boyfriend and his two friends did try to
climb one of the peaks next to the glacier but came back down because it
seemed pretty sketchy. The rock field on the other side of the pass,
next to the glacier seems fairly unstable. We did hear a rock slide but
didn't see where it was. I would not scale these peaks without climbing
gear and experience. It's not really recommended that you go inside the mine because they
can collapse on you. But it's still cool to look at. |
|
Etc. |
The road leading to the trailhead, Archangel
Road, is one of the worst roads I've been on Alaska, and I've driven out
to McCarthy. In one area, an old culvert has rusted through and was
sticking up out of the road. We had to throw boards across it to drive
my car on, and I was still worried about the bottom.
Also, Reed Lakes is a very popular trail, so there are lots of people on the trail before the Snowbird Mine turn-off. We didn't see as many people in the Snowbird Mine part, but if you go on a nice or a long weekend, be prepared for company. |
|
