Walking, Riding, Biking, & Hiking Trails around AK? (Anchorage, Wasilla: hotel, homes)

[Bossco]

I haven't found a thread that lists where different trails (paved or dirt) are around Alaska.

At the moment I have two small children who mostly go in the stroller, and I would love to find some neat trails that aren't steep in terrain. BUT I think this could be a great thread to list even the steep hiking area's.

Whadya Say? Can you add your favorite spot to take a good walk/ride/hike/bike?

Be sure to add:

1. Where it is (nearest town).
2. Directions on how to get to the trail head.
3. Paved or dirt path?
4. Is it a trail for
   - strollers and easy walking
   - riding bikes, horses, ATV's, or even trucks to take 4x'n
   - hiking up on foot or extreme biking/horse/atv riding
   - Or all the above?
5. Is this a good trail to camp off of?
6. Is this a trail used to hunt/trap off of?
   - I'm not a hunter or a trapper but it would be good to know if this is a trail used for such a purpose or not for kids and dogs.

Thanks for any tips!

[Marty Van Diest]

Originally Posted by Bossco

I haven't found a thread that lists where different trails (paved or dirt) are around Alaska.

At the moment I have two small children who mostly go in the stroller, and I would love to find some neat trails that aren't steep in terrain. BUT I think this could be a great thread to list even the steep hiking area's.

Whadya Say? Can you add your favorite spot to take a good walk/ride/hike/bike?

Be sure to add:

1. Where it is (nearest town).
2. Directions on how to get to the trail head.
3. Paved or dirt path?
4. Is it a trail for
   - strollers and easy walking
   - riding bikes, horses, ATV's, or even trucks to take 4x'n
   - hiking up on foot or extreme biking/horse/atv riding
   - Or all the above?
5. Is this a good trail to camp off of?
6. Is this a trail used to hunt/trap off of?
   - I'm not a hunter or a trapper but it would be good to know if this is a trail used for such a purpose or not for kids and dogs.

Thanks for any tips!

How about the coastal trail in Anchorage?

[Nephler]

The Eklutna Lake trails are great. The one that goes along the lake is mostly flat, you could easily push a stroller along.

[RayinAK]

On a side note: A few days ago I saw a long distance runner along an isolated stretch of highway. It was quite a pretty young woman, and she was pushing a different-looking stroller. The red-color stroller had bicycle tires, and the woman was moving easy, steady, but with long strides. If I well remember, she was pulling on a bar in front of her, so the stroller was three to five feet behind. She was moving fast, but seemed to be as relaxed as the Bionic Woman. No kidding! It began to rain hard, and there were mosquitos everywhere, except for one her I imagine, because she was moving.

I passed her at around 60MPH, and was surprised because there hardly is any road shoulder on this highway (very unsafe for hikers and bicyclists). I stopped to buy a cup of espresso coffee from an Indian lady I talk to whenever I travel this road, and then passed the runner one more time a couple of miles ahead. I have seen black and grizzly bears going right across this highway. One time I was driving a Civic Si, my oldest son (a baby at the time), was sound asleep in his car seat. All of the sudden after a turn on the road, there was a large black bear about 100 yards in the middle. It was not moving at all, and just stared a me (or the car) for a few seconds, then started walking in my direction. I put the car on reverse, and then the bear changed its mind an walked across the road. Maybe it thought that the black Civic was a perfect companion? Anyways, in my view this road is not the safest for other than people driving, not because of the absence of shoulders, but wildlife as well.

[Bossco]

I'm hoping for more places in Wasilla but I'll go ahead and add a few I know of already in different places.

Homestead Trail, this is just one way to get onto the trail, as is one of Homers longest trails.

1. Where it is (nearest town).
   Homer, AK
   
   
2. Directions on how to get to the trail head.
   Drive up West Hill Rd.
   Go left at the fork onto Diamond Ridge Rd.
   Drive a couple miles, park at the top of Rucksack Dr. (on left). 41000 Rucksack Dr., Homer, AK - Google Maps (this is the parking location on google maps)
   Walk down to the bottom of Rucksack Dr which vears to the right at the bottom. The trail head starts here.
   
   
3. Paved or dirt path?
   Dirt
   
   
4. Is it a trail for
   - strollers and easy walking
   - riding bikes, horses, ATV's, or even trucks to take 4x'n
   - hiking up on foot or extreme biking/horse/atv riding
   - Or all the above?
   This trail does not allow any motorized vehicles. It has dips and hills and straight aways as well. A stroller with bike tires (joggers) would do well. Horses and Bicycles are welcome. While this wouldn't be a super easy bike ride, it's not even close to being extreme either. There are old homesteads out here abandon to the elements, and the trail and countryside are beautiful. Awesome place to spend the day walking.
   
   
5. Is this a good trail to camp off of?
   Not sure if camping is *allowed*, but it would be a neat secluded place to pitch a tent.
   
   
6. Is this a trail used to hunt/trap off of?
   I don't *think* so? Not terribly sure.
   
   The trail is almost 7 miles, and this entrance is sort of in the middle of the trail. There is further information and a rough trail map found here: Homestead Trail (http://www.kachemaklandtrust.org/homestead_trail.htm - broken link)

[warptman]

Answering your own questions makes it easier for the rest of us!

[Bossco]

Marty are you talking about potters marsh in Anchorage? If not how to I get to it?

Nephler someone else has suggested Eklutna Lake, thanks for reminding me (I had forgotten about it).

[bongo]

Granite Creek Campground, approx. 65 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Hwy. has an awesome paved bike path.

[Bossco]

They had a short clip today on the Winner Creek Trail, in Girdwood. Looks like an awesome trail.

Explore the Winner Creek trail: Excursions | adn.com (http://www.adn.com/excursions/v-swf/story/837414.html - broken link)

1. Where it is (nearest town).
   Girdwood, AK
   
   
2. Directions on how to get to the trail head.
   Hotel Alyeska
   
   
3. Paved or dirt path?
   Dirt, boardwalks, steps, etc.
   
   
4. Is it a trail for
   - strollers and easy walking
   - riding bikes, horses, ATV's, or even trucks to take 4x'n
   - hiking up on foot or extreme biking/horse/atv riding
   - Or all the above?
   They said the first mile and a half of this trail is beautifully reconstructed with boardwalks, steps, gravel and thoughtful drainage.
   "...takes hikers over boardwalks, gravel and steps on the easy lower portion near the Hotel Alyeska. The upper trail climbs higher in the Chugach Mountains toward Winner Creek Pass before descending to the Twentymile River."
   
   
5. Is this a good trail to camp off of?
   Not sure.
   
   
6. Is this a trail used to hunt/trap off of?
   I don't know.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Bossco

I haven't found a thread that lists where different trails (paved or dirt) are around Alaska.

Groomed trails are for tourists. Make your own trail and see what the tourists are missing.