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| Last Updated: May 11, 2007 | ||
Difficulty |
Mostly uphill, but not dispiriting, so I'd say moderately difficult. This is a long day hike; give yourself 5-6 hours. | |
Connects With |
Near Point | |
Miles One Way |
5 miles, including the Prospect Heights Trail (or East Side Access Trail). | |
Miles
from
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In town, about a 20 minute drive from downtown. | |
General Vicinity |
Chugach State Park | |
Season |
June to September | |
Description |
This is a great day
hike and the view at the peak (one of highest in the park) is spectacular. Going 360 degrees,
you can see: Canyon Valley, Williwaw
Valley, Mt. O'Malley, Flat
Top, the Chugach Mountains, the Kenai Mountains, the Anchorage Bowl, Cook
Inlet, Mt. Susitna (Sleeping Lady), the Alaska
Range, and the Talkeetna Mountains. The Mountain itself resembles a huge bowl (almost like a
moon crater).
Many people walk along the ridge around the whole perimeter.
***** The reward of ascending a real Alaskan peak visable from anywhere in Anchorage any day when you want to smile and remember your way up Wolverine. Walk up the access road and uphill to the alpine and you feel far from Anchorage quickly. You will meet nice people on trail and numerous off leash, usually friendly dogs. At the alpine, you encounter a large isolated rock. I lean against it and look downward. Up but close is an upward looking rock for leaning and looking ahead. Between is a convenient flat rock suitable for a picnic break. Crashed airplane was practically gone in 1984. I did see metal posts and the twisted propeller. A vernal pond presents on the ridge between Near Point and Wolverine. It is small and cold but worth a stop. This route is magnificent in the Fall when the alpine goes all red and yellow. In the bowl low down the deciduous trees are in yellows along side the green live and white dead spruce with mountain hemlock providing rough dark green relief. Above the barberry and other alpine plants have lost the chlorophyll mask and the other phytopigments blaze for a wonderful display. The brown bear den yellow warning sign this past season was startling. Did the person(s) who built the road live in the Wolverine area for long? What is the story there? In winter, skis are fun high up. Several potential or actual avalanche chutes are visible from the City. Ski toting takes time but is rewarding. I once carried my Bonna wood skis to the top of Wolverine but changed my mind and walked down some distance before skiing with zigzag runs. Chugachman: Trust you will do the fine edit you exercised on the Matanuska and Turkish contributions should you decide bits of this ramble might interest others. Your existing Wolverine hike description is accurate and quite inviting. Some of the hikers who are loving Flat Top to death might find this way satisfying. Seeing no individual contributions, I decided offer my observations. *****
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Important Information |
Once you pass the
creek in the lower valley on the way to the trail, there is no water anywhere. Bring an adequate supply with you. There are a whole lot of criss-crossing trails before you get to the Wolverine Trail proper from the Prospect Heights Trailhead. You basically want to head down the valley over the bridge, then curve around and back up. You should see the sign on the right as as you level off. If you're half way up and feel you can't make it, you have the option of just hiking the moraine on your right or further along the Prospect Heights Trailhead, heading to Near Point. |
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Etc. |
The Prospect Heights Parking Lot requires 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. | |
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