HomeALASKA HIKE SEARCH - A Guide to Hiking and Backpacking in the Anchorage Area

12

Mile Marker BorderAlaska Hiking Trails


L
ast Updated:
June 27, 2009
ka hiking packing trails


HELP BUILD THIS SITE! GO HERE TO FIND OUT HOW.

THERE ARE NOW OVER 100 HIKES ON THIS SITE! 


TO MY RETURNING GUESTS

June 20: Added photos link from KenaiHikikng.com of the Bird Ridge (user submitted).

June 13
: Added photos to Portage Pass (user submitted).

June 8:
Frank Baker, a longtime contributor to this site, and an amazing hiker who's bagged almost every non-technical peak in Chugach State Park, sent me the following: "Just wanted to let you know that I have a new book out, called 'Tracks.'  Not many people like poetic verse, but this one is about 25 separate trips, with color photos, and each is keyed to a map. It's a good book (light weight) to have inside a zip lock bag on camping trips. It should be available in local stores soon and also through my website -- www.alaskaverse.com   (Book sales not yet ready for website)  Take a look -- you'll recognize many of the places in photos and you'll get a small sampling of some of my poetry. (It ain't for literary egg heads)".

June 8:
Bad news concerning Kesugi Ridge, Ermine Trail, and Troublesome Creek.  The company that was doing shuttles and moving your car for you has ceased that part of their operations.  From them: "We just wanted to let you know as of the 2008 season we no longer provide shuttle service in Denali State Park for hikers. It was a tough call for us because we want to provide this service, but it became cost prohibitive for us insurance-wise. Can you please remove the reference to this on your website? Our previous name was Mountain Light Adventures. Thank You, Howard and Noelle Carbone, www.alaskanatureguides.com"

June 7:
Added information to Golden Mint Valley Trail

June 3:
Added information to Anchorage Greenbelt Trails (user submitted).

Walrus Lake - Williwaw Lakes TrailTO MY NEW GUESTS

WELCOME! If you are a visitor coming to the Southcentral Alaska area or if you just moved here, my hope is that this site will be a useful reference in helping you decide which trails to hike, backpack, bike or even snowshoe and cross country ski. I have tried to cross reference the trails in many different and unusual ways so that even if you wind up here on a business trip in February with only an afternoon free, this site can be of some help.

I hope all of you will help the growth of this site by contributing your thoughts, opinions, and advice on your own hiking explorations of this incredible state. You may even find a missed gem by seeing my and others comments.

 

Moose and Two Calves - Powerline PassWHY I CREATED THIS SITE

In 1999, I was thinking about moving up here and decided to come for a visit in September. I wanted the trip to be half research and half vacation and went about checking the guidebooks for a good 3 day backpack trip that would give me the most scenery in one bang.  I decided on Kachemak State Park.  To make a long story short, it was a bad decision(*). September is the rainy season there. Add 30 to 50 degree weather and it was a very bad mix. I was very uneducated about hypothermia because I had only backpacked in the East when the temps were extremely warm.  In short, it was a disaster (although a very scenic disaster) and I wish I had known someone up here that I could have contacted for advice before I came up. Alaska Hiking Trails Guide

Now, about to start my 9th year living up here, I'm much older and wiser.  In retrospect,  I would have been better off sticking with Chugach State Park for my backpacking trip and day hiking the Kenai Peninsula.  So for my little piece of good karma, I offer this website to you as someone who lives here and who wants to help you get the most out of your Alaska experience.  It is also my way of repaying the countless acts of kindness by Alaskans when I visited as well as when I first moved up here. 

*Which is not to say this is a bad hike.  It's an incredible hike and I highly recommend it-just not in September.  Go to Grewingk Valley for the whole ordeal.

 

Camp at Eagle and Symphony LakesWHAT THIS SITE IS

When I first started this site, it was going to have everything and be a complete resource in itself.  I realized very soon that this goal and a fulltime job -not to mention actually spending time outside hiking- were not going to go together. Subsequently,  I limited myself to making this a supplement to the already fine and useful trail guides that are already on the market (go here for more info).  

The real problem with most guidebooks, however, is that they try to be too objective. Subsequently, I have tried to be a little less formal in my reviews.  I have also tried to include some info that the books don't provide.  My action plan while writing about each hike was to write my first thoughts, edit, then use the books for verification so that the hikes in these pages weren't just a rehash of what's in the guides.  

Another small problem with guidebooks , due to the cost, is that the photos are only in black and white which makes choosing more difficult.   Most of the trails in this site have at least 4 photos and as the site grows, and people contribute, I hope to have more available.   

So.... basically you can use this site first and get some ideas of where you would like to hike or backpack, then use the guidebooks and other sources for more detailed information ....or you've read about a trail somewhere else and would like a second opinion.

Important! Read This!Before you start actually hiking, please go to my Education page as well as other sources so that you are prepared for the unique dangers and challenges that can arise when traveling in the Alaska backcountry (see below).

 

Exit GlacierWHAT THIS SITE ISN'T

I WANT TO BE REAL UPFRONT ABOUT THIS: THIS SHOULD NOT BE YOUR ONLY RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HIKING AND BACKPACKING IN ALASKA! Most of the hike pages on this site are only cursory examinations.  They usually do not go into detail about every section of the trail. This site is only a jumping off point or a supplement to guidebooks and detailed topographic maps.  Please read the disclaimer below and please read my Education page as well as other wilderness safety publications.


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©Alaska Hike Search
-A Guide to Hiking in the Anchorage Area
By Chugachman

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Warning: Traveling in Alaska's backcountry can be extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.  This website is only intended as an aid and cannot guarantee safety.  No trail guide can be completely accurate so hikers must accept and judge for themselves the dangers posed by each trip they choose to undertake. By using this site you accept the risk and sole responsibility for your safety and the safety of those you affect.  I urge you use all available resources  to educate yourself on the particular hikes you will be on as well as general wilderness safety and first aid.

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