Sports

Anchorage-area hiking trails starting to dry out

The low-snow winter that was a bummer for skiers is becoming a boon for springtime hikers.

Trail conditions in Anchorage and the surrounding areas are well ahead of schedule for this time of year, with several low-lying and south-facing routes already attracting throngs of spring hikers.

"It's definitely earlier," said Shane Prosser, who answered the phone at the Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking store Friday.

Prosser said the Turnagain Arm Trail -- which roughly parallels the Seward Highway for 9.5 miles between Potter and Windy Corner -- is probably the best bet right now for hikers hoping to get out in the wilderness. Typically the first to dry out in spring, that trail has been free of snow since late March, and is now almost entirely free of mud.

For the more adventurous hikers looking to bag a peak, Bird Ridge is also looking good for this time of year. The trail, which climbs about 3,400 feet from the trail head near Bird Creek, was in good shape and dry up to the ridge line during a hike under sunny skies Thursday. There's snow along the ridge, but it's soft and easily traversable for those looking to reach the summit.

Hiker Mark Marcester of Anchorage was one of several people to climb the route Thursday. He said the sunny skies and great conditions lured him up the mountainside.

"I haven't been to the top in a couple years, it was a beautiful day, so I went for it," Marcester said. "It's an absolutely gorgeous day. A little bit of wind, and as you can see the view is spectacular."

ADVERTISEMENT

Other popular hiking trails that are approaching midseason form are the cross-country trails at Bartlett High, the Hillside Trail system and the trails at Kincaid Park. Further afield, Bodenburg Butte near Palmer is dry, as are the lower-mountain trails at Alyeska Resort. All of those are good for hiking, but are still drying out in spots, so watch for mud.

Trails at the Eagle River Nature Center are also coming along well, according to volunteer Colin Bogucki. Bogucki said he recently hiked about eight miles from the center and found the trails to be in "pretty good shape."

"There's some muddy sections, but there's no snow on the trail," he said.

Bogucki said there have been a couple bear sightings this spring, so hikers should be aware of their surroundings and consider carrying pepper spray or noisemaking devices.

Not every trail is in great shape just yet, and many popular hikes are extremely muddy.

Muddy conditions persist on many area trails, including some of the more frequently visited hikes in the area. On Thursday, the trail up Flattop -- one of the most popular hikes in Chugach State Park -- remained partially covered in ice and snow. The main trail to the top is still snow-covered and stretches of the trail are covered in mud. Hikers should be prepared for these conditions or avoid the area altogether.

Also still extremely muddy is the Mount Baldy trail in Eagle River. That route, a 1,200-foot climb just outside of town, was a slog Thursday, with the handful of climbers making the trip up finding themselves ankle-deep in muck for much of the way. Hikers might want to avoid that one until the trail has time to dry.

The city of Anchorage recommends staying away from muddy trails until the spring sun has more time to do its thing. Hiking on muddy trails like Baldy can degrade the route, cause erosion and do damage that can't easily be undone.

"Please avoid earthen trails during muddy, soft ground conditions," the municipality advises on its website. "The tracks you leave behind will be there all season."

Matt Tunseth

Matt Tunseth is a former reporter for the Anchorage Daily News and former editor of the Alaska Star.

ADVERTISEMENT