Suggestions for Anchorage "area" easy day hike with wildlife potential (Seward: camper)

[johnrex62]

I am in Anchorage until the 25th of June and would like some suggestions for easy dayhikes where I might get some opportunities for wildlife photos. I did Flattop and made it to the 2nd saddleback before I decided I was tired enough to start back. I do not do semi-vertical very well so when I learned the 3rd saddlback was hand over hand climbing I decided I had ventured far enough for the day.

I am not a camper type person and would like to keep my treks relatively short and under 6 hours in duration. Short inclines are fine... I had no problems with Blueberry hill, but the steps up to the saddleback on Flattop were a bit more that I could enjoy. Too many of those and I would rather not.

What time of day is best for wildlife viewing and what areas are the best compromise for opportunity/safety?

I have been told that Powerline around 3am is good for Moose....anyone wanna second that opinion before I give it a shot? I have a long telephoto (500mm) with me so even bear would be a nice shot if I can see them before they sniff me. No up close and personal exchanges are desired, if you know what I mean.

[JavaPhil]

Couldn't say, see moose all over the place, at all hours, but I'd say morning is best.

[FishTAxi]

Borrow a canoe and canoe Campbell Creek. Put in at Lake Otis Park and get out at Campbell Lake Park. Takes 3 leisurely hours except the falls at Old Seward hwy passing the Peanut Farm and where you get the best hamburgers in town. Paddle Out!

[soldn2slavery]

Check out the Eagle River Nature Center. They have nice trails and used to have spotting scopes out if there were any bears/moose/sheep on the mountain slopes. Even with no wildlife, it's a beautiful area.

[niceplacetovisit]

Wolverine peak or near point.

[flu189]

There are several trails that parallel the Seward Hwy south of Anchorage that are not very difficult. Check at the office for maps and suggestions just south of Potter Marsh. Another very nice and fairly level trail is the Winner Creek Trail which starts near the Alyeska Tram station in Girdwood and leads you to a cage hand tram across a ravine and then you come out on Crow Creek Rd. Check at the US Forest Service office in Girdwood for this and other trails in the area.

[johnrex62]

Originally Posted by soldn2slavery

Check out the Eagle River Nature Center. They have nice trails and used to have spotting scopes out if there were any bears/moose/sheep on the mountain slopes. Even with no wildlife, it's a beautiful area.

This was a great suggestion! Easy, relatively flat trails (even handicap accessible believe it or not) and some nice wetland viewing platforms. I got some real nice shots of a Bull Moose very close to the viewing deck. I will post some when I get a chance to sort through them and pick a couple of the better "poses".

[johnrex62]

Originally Posted by flu189

There are several trails that parallel the Seward Hwy south of Anchorage that are not very difficult. Check at the office for maps and suggestions just south of Potter Marsh. Another very nice and fairly level trail is the Winner Creek Trail which starts near the Alyeska Tram station in Girdwood and leads you to a cage hand tram across a ravine and then you come out on Crow Creek Rd. Check at the US Forest Service office in Girdwood for this and other trails in the area.

Thanks for these ideas. I wish I had seen them earlier....I went to Denali and was away from my internet for a couple of days and just saw this as I sit in the airport waiting for my flight home.

The hand tram sounds like a blast! This will be on my list for my next trip up here.

I did get to do some of the Tony Knowles Coastal trail and hit all the pullouts and parking areas along the Turnagain Arm and walked out on some of the trails from them. Had a great wildlife turnout in Denali....standard sheep, caribu and some better than average bear with cubs, two wolves, red fox, northern harrier, porcupine and cow moose.

All in all a fantastic vacation, just much too short as always.

[JavaPhil]

Fact: Bears are not playful after the yearling cub size. They are an appetite on legs. Omnivorous -eats just about anything. Giving food to bears makes them associate food with humans. Not a good idea. NEVER give your catch to a bear, unless it's a matter of life and death, and then throw it off to the side and attempt to back away. NO playing with the bears. This topic has been covered in many ways, in many threads.

Fools will allow nature to separate the wheat from the chaff and the sheep from the goats. It's called natural selection.