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| 123 |    Photos Map |
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| Last Updated: May 19, 2007 | ||
Difficulty |
Uphill the whole way; strenuous | |
Connects With |
Eklutna
Lake Pepper Peak |
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Miles One Way |
3.2 to end of formal trail; 5.5 to peaks | |
Miles
from
|
35 | |
General Vicinity |
Chugach State Park | |
Season |
Maintained trail-All Year To peaks- June to September |
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Description |
The trail proper
switchbacks steeply uphill offering better and better views of Eklutna
Lake. The end of the trail is the second bench. This is
a great hike if you're already camping out at Eklutna Lake.
Otherwise, I wouldn't make a special trip unless you plan on continuing
on the primitive trail. Once you get to the second bench, you can continue up towards your right to Pepper Peak which is a great hike as well. To continue into the Twin Peaks valley, head into the gulch and work your way towards
the two identical peaks (and No!-it's not named after the TV
show). Most of the hike is subalpine tundra. The view of Eklutna and the mountains
is incredible.
You can get to 5000 feet with not too much difficulty and if you're
lucky like I was, you'll get a chance for up close views of dall sheep. The following is a contribution from Frank Baker: Goat Peak-- I'm not sure of names, but the larger peak at the right-hand side of the photo used to be called Goat Peak--it summits out at about 5,800 feet. I've found the best route is directly up a gully on the south face--which can be seen in the photo, at far right. Don't enter the gully until it gets so steep that you can no longer stay on the grassy tundra slope, at right. Stay in the gully all the way--about 2,000 feet of climbing. Always stay in the center of the gully to avoid the cliffs. When you crest out hang a sharp left and follow the ridge to the summit. Rock scrambling skills are required but it isn't technical. I've done this route four or five times without any ropes or protection. Take time and care on the descent. However. If you don't feel comfortable in the early portions of the gully--turn around--it doesn't get any easier. Etc: I've always done this trip when it's dry
and the rocks aren't slippery. If the weather is good, it's pretty good
bivouac up on top if you make yourself a flat place among the rocks.
Great views. The following is a contribution from Ross Timm: I have gone up parts of the official (relatively easy) Twin Peaks trail twice- the first time was early May 2005-- the first part is in the forest switchbacks, mostly on the south face of the hillside above Eklutna Lake's west shore and the campground/ parking area.. There is a first bench right before the trail heads west for a final switchback and then heads up the valley below Twin Peaks to the second bench mentioned as the end of the final trail. That part is on the shaded side.. it was much colder and we started finding snow patches on the trail well before the second bench. By the time we got to the bench we were postholing. The snow was deep and icy, tearing up our previously sun warmed, short-wearing legs, so we turned back. Also- this bench is not really the good stopping point in the summer.. there is a distinct trail to a viewpoint on the ridge top on the right, which then leads to a shorter peak to the east of Twin Peaks (and I believe to views into the valley beyond, which would be the same valley you view to the south from the official stop of the Pioneer Ridge trail.) We tried it again in mid September 2006.. of course the trail to the second bench and beyond was clear well before this time, but we still decided instead to go straight up an easily seen side trail right next to the first bench, gaining the ridge that way (a fellow hiker had told us about this trick the last time as we retreated from the postholing). It is a much drier, warmer way to go, but also very steep. To avoid the side trail's steep downhill, we went down the main trail. This is definitely an option for a more strenuous hike for the last portion up to the ridge viewpoint, and in late spring/early summer it would be a way to avoid the postholing on the shady side. Someday I would like to go up the ridge more, or get up Twin Peaks using the gully route. ***** ***** The following is a contribution from Scoobnuts: I Love this Hike! This was one of the first hikes I did in Alaska, and boy did it pay off. I was bored one day and set out to Eklutna Lake for a hike. I started up the Twin Peaks trail and realized it was uphill trail, and also realized I wasn't going to stop until I got to the top. Once I reached the end of the trail, I spotted a whole bunch of sheep and decided to go up to them. I crossed a little creek and journeyed on up to the rock quarry area and got within 20 feet of the little guys before they flew off down the steep rocks. It was awesome being way up there as far as you can go! I recommend it to people who want to walk off trail and explore. ***** |
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Important Information |
The Falcon Guide and
the maps make the primitive trail to Twin Peaks a little
confusing. First, cross over the creek and the gully. After a
little ways, you'll cross a small stream. Head left and up toward the
hill and not right, towards the downward slope. Basically there is a loop
that goes around the inner rim. There is really no need to to do
this loop as you can head down anywhere and pick up the trail.
If you're going to go to the very peaks, don't bite off more than you
can chew. From the last part of the trail, it looks very
doable. Then when you're halfway up, you realize just how vertical
it is. Think carefully about your approach. I didn't and had
to crab it on my butt to come down because I was unable to stand.
It was a hair raising experience. |
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Etc. |
Please go to the trail description for Eklutna Lake for more information about the entire area. There is a lot to do and see here.
It's a great place to hang out. There is a $5 parking fee (bring exact amount). The price for an annual parking pass is $40. You can purchase a pass at the Federal Building at 4th and F or the Atwood Building on 7th and E, 12th Floor. If you're heading back to Anchorage, take a quick side trip and visit the Native Russian Church and Cemetery. Continue straight for a few miles instead of taking the left onto the Glenn Highway. Stay outside the fenced area and be respectful of the premises. |
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