By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. In choosing the most scenic hike, one can at least establish some criteria. View from the end of the Portage Lake trail. But not everyone has the physical capabilities to be able to witness the most scenic views. Youll have to hop through some of those car-sized boulders to reach the two lakes that give this hike its name, with the tumbling sheet of a small waterfall between thembut its well worth the effort. Tip: We went with alaskakayak and it was the perfect experience! #alaska #canada #haida #beautiful, OFFICIAL STATE OF ALASKA VACATION AND TRAVEL INFORMATION, Copyright 2023 Alaska Travel Industry Association. #kenaifjords #kenaifjordsnationalpark #findyourpark #parkroamers #nationalparkgeek #americasbestidea #outdoorfamily #hikingfamily #havekidswilltravel #diversifyoutdoors #diversityinadventure #optoutside #teampixel #visittheusa #familyadventures #familytravel #travelalaska #explorealaska #alaskaadventure #alaska, Kenai Lake and River is slowly turning into an absolute all time favorite for me. Even during the summer months, some days can be chilly in Alaska. We live in a world of instant gratification. Click through for more details about hiking Barbara Falls, which is also hike 33 inDay Hiking Southcentral Alaskaand hike 32 in50 Hikes Around Anchorage. The hike to the lakes is 12 miles round trip, requires you to cross a large boulder field as you approach the lakes, and not much in way of elevation gain (14 miles if you would like to climb the hill on the far side for views of both lakes. Two noteworthy things to consider: There are a few hills and rocky spots on the Dew Mound trail, which gains about 880 feet of elevation over its roughly 6-mile length; and Albert Loop is closed seasonally, usually starting in mid-August, to reduce the risk of bear encounters near Eagle River. Note that the hand tram isnt open until Memorial Day Weekend at the end of May. nytimes None requires any technical climbing ability or involve any dangerous rock-scrambling -- just a certain level of fitness. This 13 million acre park is a haven for backcountry adventures and provides a fascinating glimpse into the states copper mining history. The majority of the 400-mile-longAlaska Railroadcuts through the region, starting inSewardand connecting to top destinations in Southcentral includingWhittier,Girdwood,Anchorage, andTalkeetna. We want the best of everything right now, and I think we often forget that good things take time. All of the hikes are located in the Southcentral region of Alaska, including areas like Kachemak Bay, Seward, Mat-Su, Cooper Landing, Anchorage, Valdez, Wrangell St. Elias, and more! How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? Looming above Anchorage with a level peak that provides its name, Flattop Mountain is Alaskas most popular hike, and for many good reasons. Read up more:The Eagle & Symphony Lake Hike. So you have the option of setting up a car shuttle if youd like to do a 3-mile hike or 6-mile hike between the two trailheads instead of a complete loop. * Dress appropriately. We experienced glacier calvings that sounded like an insane clap of thunder, paddled through Fjords (which only exist in 6 places in the world!) The trailhead is located off of East Huntly Road, which is reached by taking the Old Glenn Highway and turning off at Clark-Wolverine Road. Flattop (Anchorage) Mileage: 3.3 miles (5.3km) Elevation: 1,430 feet (436m) Difficulty: Moderate/Hard. The trail measures 1.7 miles and is short but steep; the last few hundred feet require both hands and feet to maneuver up the steep, rocky path. attend a Ranger-led program Whale watching on a Kenai fjords tour by private cruise There is a $5 parking fee. There's still time to book for this summer! It is home to a vast array of wildlife: whales, puffins, orcas, seals, otters, eagles, moutain goats, bears and much more. Young Alaskan Moose having dinner on a sunny summer night. 1) The variety and sheer number of wildflowers in the alpine meadows are beyond belief. Anglers in search of that trophy salmon or halibut will find plenty of opportunities for fishing in theKenai Peninsula, along with camping, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing in top destinations likeSeward,Homer, andKenai. You can still hike the Flattop Sunnyside trail, which starts from the same trailhead; but I dont find that trail to be as fun in the rain. You can cross these hikes off at your own leisurely pace. Distance: 9 miles (round trip) Elevation gain: 3800 ft. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You can use the search bar on this website to check if I have already written a trail guide for the hike you are interested in. The trek is roughly 4 miles to Lower Reed Lake, including about 1900 feet in elevation gain. become a Junior Ranger Combined, Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest are home to some of the most accessible outdoor adventures in the state. Note that this hike takes place in Chugach State Park and open fires are banned. Southcentral & Interior | ALASKA.ORG Check the official site for Anchorage Alaska Bed & Breakfasts. This is a perfect place for a lunch and a power nap. 18 Best Hikes in Alaska: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2023 Alaska is the largest US state, covering over 1,500,000 square miles, and for many who have never explored it, the mention of this state brings OnlyInYourState.com - Natasha Kayes Read more on onlyinyourstate.com Southcentral Alaska Backpacking #theimaged Alone, but far from lonely, I breathed in the quiet view with an awe bordering on reverence. The region is home to the largest national park in the United States -Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, accessible through the gateway communities ofGlennallen,Chitina,Copper Center, andMcCarthy. Make sure you bring a picnic lunch to enjoy beside the lake. The current population is roughly 5,560 people. These difficulties should prove worth the trouble as the view takes in the upper valleys of the Chugach Range, including more than half the precipitous and typically snow-covered 7,000-foot peaks. This trail follows an old roadbed, though, and the first 7 miles or so of its length are so broad you dont have to worry about brush. Both of these trails start at the Exit Glacier Nature Center just outside Sewardand in fact, they overlap for the first .4 miles. Route Type: Loop. Here, youll find world-class museums, plenty of lodging options, fantastic restaurants, and shopping, along with a over 100 miles of multi-use trails, easy access toChugach State Park, and salmon fishing right downtown. Portage Pass - Whittier Flickr - Frank Kovalchek This scenic hike in Alaska is located just through the infamous tunnel to Whittier on the right hand side of the road. Marathon, 3,022 feet above sea level. Kaigani is an anglicization of the Tlingit word xaax aani, which translates to "crabapple country".The Tlingit name for the island is Taan, meaning "sea lion". 1. All of the hikes are located in the Southcentral region of Alaska, including areas like Kachemak Bay, Seward, Cooper Landing, Anchorage, Valdez, Copper River Valley, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and more! Kesugi Ridge Hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, The Rabbit Lakes Hike In Anchorage, Alaska, MacDonald Spit, My Favorite Coastal Alaska Destination, Juneau Travel Guide + 19 Things To Do In Juneau, The Ultimate Alaska Highway Guide: Driving the Alcan between Canada & Alaska, Kayakers Cove: My Favorite Escape From Seward, Homer Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Homer, Visiting Virgin Creek Falls In Girdwood, Alaska, Seward Travel Guide + 18 Things To Do In Seward, The Reed Lakes Hike In Hatcher Pass, Alaska, Anchorage Travel Guide + 20 Things To Do In Anchorage, Denali National Park Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Denali, The Best Places To See The Northern Lights in Alaska, How To Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park, Girdwood Travel Guide + 5 Things To Do In Girdwood, Alaska, Visit Spencer Glacier On The Whistle Stop Train, What to Pack for Alaska, Written by a Local, Anchorage To Fairbanks Road Trip: One Week In Alaska, The Perfect Coastal Alaskan Winter Getaway: Between Beaches, Free places to Ski & Snowboard Near Anchorage, The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours, Fairbanks Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Fairbanks. Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. With one phone call, we provide seamless Alaska Fish On Charters! An hour south of Anchorage is Portage Lake, which is fed by the once grand and still spectacular Portage Glacier. That alone could justify calling such a hike scenic. The hike to Blacktail rocks is 8 miles return to the parking lot. The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the Alternatively, there is the Upper Winner Creek Trail that is much more strenuous that takes you up into the stunning Berry Pass from where youll descend down to Twenty Mile River and packraft back out. We even saw a black bear walking along the shoreline! The accessible trail is seemingly endless, so, jump on and off wherever works for you. Getting your outdoor adventure fix in Southcentral Alaska Harding Icefield. Lazy Mountain isnt so lazy. Tonsina Point Trail (sometimes called Tonsina Creek Trail) Distance: 4.1 miles out and back Elevation Gain: 770 ft. AllTrails has 860 hiking trails, mountain biking routes, backpacking trips and more. #dronephotography #alaska Within a mile of mild climbing through trees and rocks, youll be able to see the glacier shimmering in the distance. Such a scene encompasses as little evidence of civilization as possible. During her brief time under Russian control, she spent most of her time at Sitka, acting as a barge and tug. Many towns across Alaska offer activities such as white-water rafting, ziplining, and more high excitement activities like off-roading (ATVing). Ah, the good old Turnagain Arm Trail! To access this hike you must go through the Whittier Tunnel ($22 return), once through the tunnel follow the signs to the trailhead. Your email address will not be published. An easy hike located just north of Eagle River, right off the Glenn Highway. Need help planning a trip? If you follow the race route, the wet snowmelt at the bottom section of the mountain can make the steady string of chutes pretty slick. But above them, a vast maze of rippling ridges stretched away like rolling waves into the clear air. Bonus: There are two easy places to access Middle Fork Loop: Prospect Heights trailhead and Glen Alps trailhead. Learn more about her at http://maloneywrites.com. Get the latest trail guides, travel tips, and more! The final destination is also important when choosing which trails to hike in the rain: The blue waters of Rabbit Lake make beautiful company in any weather. Who doesnt love a waterfall thats been supercharged by rain? If you know Caleb you know he has admirable character, works hard, lives life so fully, and is the best dad/ husband! Ask your Anchorage day hikes questions in the comments section below. Visit Native-Land.ca to identify whose land you live, work, and play on. 12 Nice Southcentral Alaska Trails to Hike in the Rain, 9. The 15 Best Hikes from All Over the State of Alaska - Royal Alaskan Movers 6. If the clouds allow, you can also scope out some of the steeper mountain/peak hikes around you. Not your typical view from a National Park, but be, Hallstatt, Austria Captivating whether sunny, cl, The Knigssee and Obersee - two unbelievably beau, St. Sebastian church in Ramsau, Germany. * 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska - amazon.com 100 Hikes in Southcentral Logbook published - alaskavisit.com ------------------------------ Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Northern Nights Campground RV Park & Cabins, Anchorage Alaska Bed & Breakfast Association. Abandoned Haida villages still have Tlingit names. The words salmon and halibut likely bring to mind Alaska and for good reason! Anyone whos spent much time hiking in and around Anchorage will probably understand where Im coming from: This trails general flat(ish)ness and easy accessibility make it a natural go-to in almost all circumstances, from needing a quick after-work pick-me-up to looking for trails to hike in the rain. Locals swear the sweeping view of sparkling fjords, glaciers, and the lovely town of Haines is one of the best trek payoffs ever. From the parking lot there is a roughly one mile groomed trail to a nice viewpoint with a bench and views of the glacier and the narrow valley. The starting point for this hike is known as the Glen Alps trailhead. To the east, however, one can see all to the great summits of the St. Elias Range. Less than a mile beyond and past a waterfall youll find the Upper Reed Lake. If you dont feel confident in your footing, take a second look at what kind of traction youre getting on the side trail that leads down to the base of the falls. Learn how your comment data is processed. djiglobal | Mavic Pro 2, Sparkle.. #stealthcraftboats #skinnywaterninja #trout #kenai #edgeoars #troutunlimitedalaska #fishing #flyfishing #driftboat #nobaddays #adventure #outdoors #outside #alaska #alaskalife, Prince of Wales Island is one of the islands of the Alexander Archipelago in the Alaska Panhandle. This park is a standard in Anchorage, but offers some truly beautiful views of the city. . Day 1: Anchorage to Valdez via Whittier Start your drive by heading south from Anchorage along the Seward Highway, a . Either way, youll be constantly bombarded with views of rocky peaks rising around the lake, covered first in trees, then wildflowers, and finally craggy summits topped with snow. #pnwonderland Starting right behind Alyeska Resort, this mellow trail winds 2.4 miles through mossy forest with views of the rushing waters of a glacier-fed creek. To get here turn onto Skyline drive from Eagle River Loop Road and follow it all the way to the end of the road. Marathon, 3,022 feet above sea level. Despite the elevation gains and losses while climbing numerous 4,000-foot peaks, the hiking remains generally easy over firm tundra and sporadic rock spines. 2) I still cant believe we camped right next to this amazing little stream, complete with numerous (rapidly deteriorating) ice caves. The trail has a wide and largely rock-free tread, allowing one to look around freely and when a hiker passes through one of the many openings in the brush, there is much to look upon. Call or email us anytime to get your questions answered or to customize your Alaskan vacation. Check out TheAnchorage Travel Guide. The trail does involve a stream crossing (really, wading across a relatively narrow, slow-moving branch of the river), so this is only one of the good trails to hike in the rain if youre comfortable with that crossing. Your mileage may vary! Summer and winter dog sled rides. The mountain is steep; the brush is dense and the trail is humid near the bottom; the rocks are loose and sharp near the top. As always carry bear spray and hike in a group if possible. This 9-mile round trip is the most iconic of all the hikes in Hatcher Pass, a wonderland of rolling tundra dotted with massive granite boulders strewn like playthings by the passage of long-vanished glaciers. As amazing as Alaska is to experience from the air, water and road, theres something very special about exploring the state on foot on an Alaska hiking tour. But what makes any hike or climb most scenic smacks of subjectivity. The Ptarmigan Creek Trailstarts at mile 23 of the Seward Highway5 miles past the small town of Moose Pass, which is itself about 60 miles from Girdwood. On a clear day, even Denali is visible from here. A local favorite, Flattop is one of the . And Flattop is a relatively short and moderate hike the drive to the trail head climbs a lot of elevation and youll see hikers of all ages and fitness levels on the 3-mile round trip trail. This rewarding, 3.5-mile hike winds through the forest to an alpine lake surrounded by steep, rocky peaks. #palmsprings #marilynmonroes, I a peaceful palm tree sunset! In this comprehensive guide, we detail five of the best hikes in Alaska that can be completed in three hours or less. Hopefully it goes without saying that if youre choosing one of these 11 trails to hike in the rain or any trail, really you should dress for the weather. Harding Ice Field Trail The best camping spots are around Lower Reed Lake. #moodygrams Drive to Anchorage, explore Ship Creek and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The logbook is only available to purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble right now but I am going to try to get it into a local shop or make a wholesale order. Photo: Greg Martin Day Hiking in Southcentral Alaska author Lisa Maloney. What could be nicer than choosing one of these trails to hike in the rain? After the tunnel, veer right before reaching Whittier for the Portage Pass hike. A Hiker's Paradise in Southcentral Alaska | Travel Alaska Route: Out and Back 1. Pictured from the Kenai Peninsula on January 1. Marketing by LeapUp. (Getty Images) Fairbanks is known as the "Golden Heart of Alaska" and one of the top places in the world to view the northern lights: Aurora chasers may want to visit the city during . Click through for more details about hiking Rabbit Lake, which is hike 51 inDay Hiking Southcentral Alaskaand hike 14 in50 Hikes Around Anchorage. Such a sight was scenic in all concepts of the word: picturesque, expansive, and wild. Click here to accept. We work with agents and advisors to provide the best Alaska experience for your clients. Alaskan winters have some magical light! Experience Alaska's winter sport of dog sledding. Grewingk Lake to Saddle Trail (Kachemak Bay/Homer), Exit Glacier: Easy hike, beautiful glacier views, Close to Home: A Walk in Campbell Creek Estuary, Snowbird Mine and Snowbird Hut: Mud and beauty in Hatcher Pass, Williwaw Lakes: A long walk to a wild, remote-feeling valley, Click through for more details about hiking Thunderbird Falls, Click through for more details on hiking the loop around Reflections Lake, Click through for details about hiking the Eklutna Lakeside trail, Click through for more details about hiking Barbara Falls, trail to Rabbit Lake is temporarily closed, Click through for more details about hiking Rabbit Lake, Click through for more details about hiking Powerline Pass, Click through for details on hiking Middle Fork Loop, Click through for more details about hiking to Juneau Creek Falls, will be closed for road improvement and erosion/landslide mitigation, Click through for more details about hiking the Turnagain Arm Trail, Blueberry Knoll: A pleasant waystation on the way up Government Peak, Dew Mound: A peaceful, remote-feeling loop hike thats easy to reach, Eklutna Lakeside Trail: A beautiful Southcentral Alaska gem.