DAY 1: (Chugach Cont.)
DO MORE: Mt. Baldy trailhead (moderate)
A 3-mile roundtrip hike leads you to the top of this mountain, aptly named for its bald peak, but unlike the pity-inspired aphorism, in this case bald is actually beautiful, providing beautiful views of the Eagle River. It’s a straightforward, mildly rugged climb, used more commonly by locals to hit their cardio quota than by off road adventurers but you’re not one to draw outside the lines and you could probably used the extra cardio. If you’re counting steps, another half-mile will give you better views at Blacktail Rocks.
Average duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.anchorage.net for more information.
must see: eagle river nature center (Easy)
Equal parts education and adventure, Eagle River can teach everything you need to know about the surrounding wilderness in all its beauty and danger, before casting you off marvel and perish in it, among the surrounding trails. Rodak Trail is the more family friendly walk, with a mile of opportunity to see beavers and salmon, while 3-mile Albert Loop is more friendly for families of bears.
Average duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.anchorage.net for more information.
MUST SEE: thunderbird falls (EASY)
A short walk, one mile to be precise, takes you to a viewing platform, where everyone and their mother gather to marvel at the modest majesty of Thunderbird. At 200 feet high, it’s not the tallest fall in the world, or even in the state but you can’t get better ease of access and the high tourist saturation improves the likelihood of your escape while someone else gets eaten by a bear.
Average duration: 60 minutes. Visit dnr.alaska.gov for more information.
eklutna historic park
Inhabited as far back as 800 years ago, and officially settled in 1840 by Russian Orthodox missionaries, Eklutna is the oldest, still-active settlement in Anchorage, and maintains its Russian Orthodox aesthetic to this day. It’s far more charming than you would expect, with colorful spirit-homes encasing the graves and providing shelter to the spirits of past settlers also likely to have been eaten by bears. Even if they look more like elaborate doghouses, it’s the thought that counts, and the dead can’t really complain.
Suggested duration: 60 minutes. Visit www.alaskavisit.com for more information.
twin peaks trailhead
EKLUTNA TAILRACE
The sight of the annual Salmon Derby, which unfortunately doesn’t involve jockey-saddled salmon racing, but the more realistic and decidedly boring salmon catching, makes for an interesting short walk nevertheless. There’s so much to explore beyond the still and crystal-blue lake, including a forest of abandoned cars, most likely junked from the nearby auto demolition derby, which unfortunately, doesn’t involve people catching cars on fishing poles but rather the run-of-the-mill cars bumping into one another.
Average duration: 30-60 minutes. Visit adfg.alaska.gov for more information.
STAY THE NIGHT IN:
DAY 2: (Palmer & Denali)
must see: Musk ox farm
A longstanding conservation effort dating back to the 1950’s before conservation was cool, Musk Ox was conceived to protect its namesake species, one of the oldest species in Alaska, and to introduce economic opportunity to the area. But if the dough stops rolling in, it’s open season, so make sure to visit or the ox blood is on your hands. Be sure to take a tour if you want to get close to these deceivingly warm creatures and support local business, by buying goods made with their equally warm fur, known as qiviut.
Average duration: 60 minutes. Visit www.muskoxfarm.org for tickets, operating hours, and more information.
must see: independence mine state historical park
Over 140,000 ounces of gold were procured from this once-fruitful mine, before it shut down, not due to a lack of gold but rather to the outset of World War II - wait a second, why aren’t we digging right now? A historical preservation status in 1982 maintains the 22 structures facilitating and housing the workers, through which you can tour and learn more about at either 1 or 3 PM, that is if you’re not distracted by the stunning surrounding peaks. Strive to get there for the earlier tour so you can make the most of your day, or better yet, take the late tour and stay after it closes so you can unload dynamite from your trunk without suspicion.
Suggested duration: 60 minutes. Visit dnr.alaska.gov for more information.
do More: reed lakes trailhead (Difficult)
A challenging nine-mile round trip hike takes you to Upper Reed Lake, if you even make it that far. It all starts with traversing a parking lot full of rocks and an initial two miles of hiking through mud - not a great start! Then, just when things start to dry up, you’ll find yourself climbing uphill on a path made of boulders. Once you reach the midway point, you’ll have to cross a stream and then realize you don’t know where the trail is anymore - we’re going to die out here, aren’t we? Take a deep breath. After a bit more mud, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a spectacular view of Lower Reed Lake, even a waterfall on the trail ahead.
From this point, you can either listen your less outdoorsy companion or the voice of reason in your head telling you that you’ve seen the best and it’s time to go back, or became overwhelmed by the compulsive, completionist part of yourself, and carry on to Upper Reed Lake, passing plenty of waterfalls along the way. You probably didn’t save enough energy for the return journey, but if you make it back at least halfway, your decomposing skeletons will at least serve as a warning to future intrepid travelers.
Average duration: 4-5 hours. Visit www.alaskahikesearch.com for more information.
goose creek tower
What was formerly known as the home of Dr. Seuss house was later discovered to be the home of the less-exciting Anchorage-based attorney Phillip Weidner, no doubt conceived in the throes of a legendary mid-life crisis. Nevertheless, the comparison to Dr. Seuss is an apt one, considering its over 180 feet high and looks barely safe for occupancy. Unfortunately its a private home and can only be seen from a distance, barring a chartered helicopter ride, on the side of George Parks Highway. To build some-thing like this and make it inaccessible is the male equivalent of wearing a low-cut dress and being offended when people look.
Suggested duration: 5 minutes.
igloo
Speaking of Babel-inspired construction projects, Leon Smith was moved in the 1970’s to build a hotel in the vein of a traditional Inuit shelter, but didn’t consult with local building codes until after building it and the defense of hearing a whisper telling him, “If you build it, they will come,” didn’t hold up in the appeal process. Fortunately, however, the building was too big to demolish, big enough that it can be seen from space. Lucky for you space travel isn’t a requirement to see it - its accessible right off the road.
Suggested duration: 20-30 minutes.
STAY THE NIGHT IN:
DAY 3: (Denali National Park)
Must see: husky homestead
All this talk of dog-sled races throughout Alaska and nary a husky in sight, until now. At Husky Homestead, we can satisfy all your Husky-related needs, including but not limited to petting, asking them “who’s a good boy,” watching them train and depending on the season, taking them out for a spin. You may be even be tempted to trade in your rental car as huskies get better gas mileage.
Average duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.huskyhomestead.com for tickets, tour times, and more information.
HIKING OPTION A: mount healy overlook trail (DIFFICULT)
A steep 2.5-mile ascent takes you about three quarters up toward the top of Mount Healy, from which you can bask in the glory of Denali views and newfound self-confidence. Don’t get too full of yourself because what goes up must eventually come down. Or you can try “chasing the high,” pushing past the trail end toward the actual peak, but this would be ill-advised; just ask Icarus and the various climbers over the years who have died, likely the result of unrelenting winds, in the pursuit of peak performance.
Average duration: 3-4 hours. Visit www.nps.gov for more information.
Hiking option b: horseshoe lake trail (Easy)
Accessible from Mile 1 of Denali Park Road or the upper parking lot of the Visitor Center, this 2-2.5 mile trail (depending on entry point) delivers the goods in terms of effort:reward ratio, with various scenic viewpoints of the lake - choose your own adventure. Your best bet is to start westward at the initial crossroads for maximum lake exposure, followed by a figure-8 trek north to what some call the “Glitter Gulch.” It doesn’t actually glitter but the possibility of seeing moose and beavers is a nice consolation prize.
Average duration: 2 hours. Visit www.nps.gov for more information.
Hiking option C: savage alpine (Difficult)
With most of the trails deeper into Denali being in a state of perpetual closure, Savage Alpine is the best and closest you can get if you like your hiking raw. And with a 1,400 foot elevation gain, the trail easily earns its name, both physically and mentally, short of literally calling you fat (savage burn). With two end points you won’t be ascending twice, so pick either starting point and take the shuttle back from end to start. The shuttle runs every two hours so either hike very fast or take it slow - there’s no in between.
Average duration: 2-4 hours. Visit www.nps.gov for more information.
Hiking option D: savage river loop trailhead (Moderate)
A short and relatively flat two mile, round-trip hike takes you past some of the best features Denali has to offer, including a wide range of terrain and wildlife, from river rapids to mountain-specific flowers, sheep and an occasional bear. With so much to offer it’s no surprise that the disproportionately small parking lot will be full, but since it’s a short hike, you can patiently wait your turn to park or idle menacingly in the parking lot so the returning hikers will be more considerate of their casual stroll on future hikes.
Average duration: 2 hours. Visit www.nps.gov for more information.
Eielson Visitor Center & Thorofare Pass
Named after famed Alaskan aviator Carl Eielson, the Denali visitor center delivers the goods, with stunning vistas of Denali both depicted in art and the natural world right outside the center. Rangers are always overly eager to talk and answer any lingering questions you might have about the park, or about life in general. Try it - it’s cheaper and more helpful than most psychologists. Just above the center is an easy switchback trail for a relatively low effort and highly rewarding final glimpse of the Denali wild.
Suggested duration: 1-2 hours. Visit www.nps.gov for more information.
STAY THE NIGHT near:
If continuing to Part 2, stay the night in: Chugach State Park or Whittier, Alaska.
If skipping Part 2, and continuing to Part 3, stay the night in Anchorage, Alaska.