Alaska Outdoor Reports

Far North Bicentennial Park Thursday 4PM by Tom Morahan

Just a reminder to not leave valuables in your car. When I returned to the North Bivouac trailhead yesterday a car had just had its back window smashed. I've been seeing glass on the ground at other trailheads as well. On another note, there was a black bear in the North Bivouac parking lot on Wednesday afternoon as I returned from a walk. It walked into the woods to avoid me, then came out onto the Tank Trail heading away, so not aggressive.

Hillside Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Wednesday 2PM by Jay Peabody

Dog Owners: riding the single tracks with your dog is NOT a good idea. If you must ride with your dog (which I get), stick to the wider ski trails where visibility is better. Or at the very least, don't let your dog run in front of you on the single tracks. A collision with your dog is going to hurt the dog and/or the other rider; while you would likely be unaffected (other than the vet bills). Riding single tracks with your dog in front of you is irresponsible. I recently suggested (very politely) to a rider that his dog was better left home and he said it was for bear protection. His reasoning is faulty and is likely to escalate an encounter with a bear - making noise (which he was not) and carrying bear spray (none) would be much more effective. Thank you.

Kincaid Park Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Tuesday Sep 5 by Susan Negus

Big Black Bear on the trail Boilig Alley, odd days, just before the Four corners ski trail crossing.

BLM Campbell Tract Sunday Sep 3 by Robert Jespersen

Just saw 2 black bears (same size) in the South Bivuoac parking lot, heading up the trail. They seemed pretty unperturbed by the presence of our moving car. Time was about 16:50 on Sunday, 9/3.

Kincaid Park Wednesday Aug 30 by chris sitbon

We took a hike with 2 dogs around Little Campbell Lake. After the hike and a swim in the lake, the dogs became disoriented, then could not walk without assistance and started having spasms. Took them to Pet ER where they were treated for reaction to a neurotoxin. Later, I went back to the trails and could not find any trace of whatever caused their problems, but want other trail users to be aware when walking dogs in that area

Upper Huffman Saturday Aug 26 by Skijoring Ladybugs

Found a pair of reading glasses on Powerline Trail near intersection with Campbell Gorge Rim Trail. Left in "Lost and Found" basket on post at intersection of Silver Fern and Gasline trails.

Kincaid Park Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Wednesday Aug 23 by Bridget

Rode Middle Earth and its downhill trails while a friend trail ran alongside. There were some slick spots, but overall a nice enough ride and the trail was mostly hardpacked. Dog, bike and I were very muddy afterwards. Didn't do Mighty Bike-Bolling-Tower Power because on Monday 8/14 Bolling Alley was quite soggy and I was worried about damaging the trail with all the additional rain.
Moose all over, and we were warned about a sow + cubs spotted near the Coastal Trail/Middle Earth intersection just before we got there.

Kincaid Park Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Tuesday Aug 8 by Susan Negus

Welcome to the club . Parked car at Kincaid and jobpher parking lot about 10 AM back around noon. No valuables left in car. Smashed my window and took all my recycle bags, one of which was a LuLu Lemon large bag. Nothing of value taken except for the damage to the car. Previously no glass in parking lot, but there is now. Reported online to APD Bummer

Kincaid Park Sunday Aug 6 by Marty

Black bear (collared) with 2 cubs on the entrance road at the foot bridge, went into the woods south side of road.

Eagle River - North Fork Saturday Aug 5 by Thomas Pease

Brown bear on moose kill along Meadow Creek (the drainage between Magnificent and Black Tail). He's dragged the carcass into an alder patch on the south bank of the creek and is guarding it aggressively. The kill is about a half mile upstream from the low notch hikers ascend to before heading east to Magnificent. Note the bear poses no danger to hikers on Magnificent or Black Tail, but if you intend to travel up Meadow Creek to access peaks farther back, you should probably stay high and side hill for about a mile upstream from the notch. Or better yet, maybe postpone for a few days.

Kincaid Park Thursday Aug 3 by Alison

My car and one other had windows smashed in at the Raspberry lot sometime between 10:30 and 11:30 AM. Seems to be happening a lot lately; may be a good idea to park at the chalet if it makes sense for your loop until people stop being jerks.

Glen Alps Sunday Jul 30 by Loraine

In response to the July 16 posting by "Dave and the Dogs" regarding trail work being done on the back side (Canyon Road access) of Flat Top, the following link provides information on this project: http://www.alaska-trails.org/flattop--canyon-rd-trail.html

Kincaid Park Wednesday Jul 26 by Kyle VP

Came across a fairly large black bear while running on the Mize Loop, near the backside of the trail, around 6:30pm on Wednesday. The bear didn't seem too bothered by the presence of me and my dog and kept doing its thing after seeing us.

Kincaid Park Wednesday Jul 26 by Andrew M

While biking from the Raspberry Road trailhead, my vehicle was broken into by the individual smashing the passenger side window. This occurred at approximately 5pm on a Monday. Judging by the auto glass in the parking lot, this has happened several times before. Wallet and phone were stolen; watch your valuables!

Kincaid Park Tuesday Jul 25 by Taylor F

Black bear sow with cubs encountered on Mize, just before the cut off to head back to the chalet (after Sisson Trail turn off).

Hatcher Pass Saturday Jul 22 by Sarah

Snowbird to Bomber traverse, great conditions, easy walking on glaciers. One mellow black bear near Bomber Hut.

Flattop Trail from Canyon Rd Sunday Jul 16 by Dave and The Dogs

Anyone know the story behind the fresh "maintenance" on the trail up the southwest flank of Flattop from Canyon Road? This trail isn't prone to flooding, yet someone cut numerous diagonal drainage trenches across the section up through the alders. At best, these trenches will be ineffective, but at worst they are likely to promote gullying, especially where there was an attempt to drain the small bog near the upper limit of the alders. A rock causeway across the bog would have been a welcome improvement, but now there is just a muddy mess...

Government Peak Recreation Area Saturday Jul 15 by BLT

Reports of a black bear killed 100 meters west of the upper mtb trails on Saturday. Carcass remains and could bring in other bears. Use your judgement about riding/hiking there. May want to avoid altogether.

Glen Alps Wednesday Jul 12 by dario

Lost my key somewhere on the back side of flattop. If you see a lost key, please call 203 four one four 99 two one. Thanks!

Hatcher Pass Tuesday Jul 11 by George

Has anybody done the Bomber Traverse recently? I'd like to get an update on the status of the glaciers if possible (i.e. snow covered, bare ice, etc.). Trying to decide upon the best gear to bring.

Mirror Lake Coyote Trails Tuesday Jul 11 by red8wop

This is actually for the Mirror Lake Singletrack trails, but those trails aren't on the drop down menu
I went to check out these new trails - very well done! Chugach Mountain Bikers should be proud!
The best part is I saw nobody else riding today

Hillside Tuesday Jul 11 by LKytomaa Lane

Black Bear sow with one cub where the Lighted Loop is next to the bike path and the lower field gate at Service HS. I had my Karelian Bear Dog on leash, and bear spray. The bear ambled off down the ski trail toward "Why Not" corner. Please be careful, but I hope everyone continues to enjoy our trails. I felt pretty confident with the dog and the bear spray. I had the spray out, ready to go, but luckily did not have to use it.

Hillside Tuesday Jul 11 by LKytomaa Lane

Oops, slight correction, the corner is called Why Stop. I'll blame that on adrenaline.

Hillside Sunday Jul 9 by Julian Mason

Katie-Rabbit Lake Trail is open to biking.

Rabbit Creek Valley Sunday Jul 9 by Kyle

Rabbit Lake trail is open to bikes, but the McHugh side is not. See this brochure.
http://dnr.alaska.gov/Assets/uploads/DNRPublic/parks/maps/mchughrabbitlakeguide.pdf

Rabbit Lake Trail Saturday Jul 8 by Katie Hickey

Is the rabbit lake trail open to mountain biking?

BLM Campbell Tract Friday Jul 7 by Pere Davison

Took my German shorthair out for run. Started at Elmore trailhead. Got about 200 yds. Past creek and couple ladies with dogs told me black bear sow and cub on trail just ahead. I turnedaroumd and went up hill towards Service. It's wonderful having so many bears and moose I need town!

Kincaid Park Thursday Jul 6 by Marie

Explored a few trails right around the chalet and also went over to Point Woronzof and beach combed for a bit. Pretty windy but it was not cold and no bugs. Met momma moose and calf laying down in the middle of a trail, backed up and went a different route. Dry pleasant conditions.

Butte Sunday Jul 2 by Marie

Took the stair side up the Butte. Dry conditions although it was pretty humid. Quite a few mosquitoes when stopped for breaks. Met quite a few people going up and going back down.

Eklutna Lake Friday Jun 30 by Terri Pauls

Twin Peaks trail: Encountered black bear sow w/cub walking up trail when we were walking down. Mom didn't run away when she saw and heard us... she wanted to keep walking up the trail. So we backed up a ways and got off the trail, climbing uphill and waiting while they passed.

Independence Mine Thursday Jun 29 by Marie

Walked in from the parking lot by Hatcher Pass Lodge because the gate was closed. The Gold Cord trail was dry and we didn't see any other people. A lot of marmots came out to say hi. The lake at the top still had some ice on the surface but most of it was open. Very beautiful.

Hillside Wednesday Jun 28 by L.KytomaaLane

Regarding Clare's report from earlier today. I just talked to Fish & Game and the carcass has been removed from near Slana Dr. and Abbott Rd. Per Fish & Game, although the carcass has been removed, please use caution as the bear may return to the area. I would also like to say, Thank You to Fish & Game for their prompt response.

Hillside Wednesday Jun 28 by L.KytomaaLane

Just to be more specific about the previous report. The carcass was in the woods off of Abbott.

Hillside Wednesday Jun 28 by Clare

My husband just saw a brown bear kill a moose in our neighbor's yard. We think the bear might be hanging out near the multi-use trail between Service and Hillside.

Kincaid Park Tuesday Jun 27 by Celia

Nice weather, dry trails on bluff. Beautiful big Mama Moose with young looking calf in the trail on our way back to Jodhpur parking lot, so went back to a trail towards the single tracks. On way up, heard but did not see bear in bushes. Made lots of noise as always, and saw small black bear in meadow that we had gone through. She seemed to go east into the brush, so we went west. All of a sudden she was running happily behind us. We jumped off the trail seconds before she caught up with us. She continued on seemingly just on her merry way. Whew. We did have bear spray at the ready, had been making tons of noise the whole hike, were also clapping in addition to the bear bells. Be aware of those little scratchy noises! We saw a watch on a stick close to the Jodhpur
trailhead en route back.

Turnagain Arm Trail Monday Jun 26 by michal

On June 16, I left my glasses in a green case right before the 1 mile marker on the McHugh Creek trail. Can you please call three-five-zero 1285 if you found them. Thanks.

Johnson Pass Sunday Jun 25 by Sarah

Biked north to south, getting pretty brushy on parts of the trail, but overall great conditions! Didn't see any bear scat or wildlife other than fish in the lake.

Hillside Tuesday Jun 20 by alaskapanic

Trail running on the Besh Lighted Loop on the Hillside Trails and came up behind a large brown bear with 2 cubs. Luckily it was on a flat stretch and they did not see me. Be safe out there.

Johnson Pass Saturday Jun 17 by Jen Amstadter

10 feet of snow, south side is dryer than the north side, totally rideable, minimal sign of bears.

Bird to Gird Trail Saturday Jun 17 by SteveP

Rode Indian to Girdwood Sat morning. Counted 24 bear scat on the trail btwn Bird and Gird. Gives perspective on bear activity in the area.

Rabbit Creek Valley Friday Jun 16 by Andrew

Lost a Sony camera on the trail. If found, call two two three, 49 four 7.

Glen Alps Friday Jun 16 by jeanF

Ship Lake Pass - There is only one snow field to cross between the trail fork and the pass. most of the trail is dry, but melting snow is running on portions of the upper trail. No bear scat on the trail.

Government Peak Recreation Area Thursday Jun 15 by Ed Strabel

Lower section of the Blueberry Knoll Trail was weedwacked earlier today. (Took care of most of the cow parsnip.) Trail is in good condition. Looking for a few hardy souls to install three foot Carsonite poles along the South-East ridge of Government Peak from Blueberry Knoll to just short of the Summit.Call me if interested. 354-7524.

powerline Saturday Jun 10 by Emily

Heading SE on Powerline from Glen Alps lot, trail is a little wet about 3 miles in followed by a couple patches of snow (about 10-20ft long) that still cover the trail, turned around after 4 miles, so not sure how the trail gets after that. Rest was fairly dry.

Rabbit Creek Valley Saturday Jun 10 by BSkis

Hiked the Rabbit Lake trail to the lake. Lake is still well frozen with just a little break up around the edges. Trail was wet in several spots and there were a couple of well-packed short snow field crossings. Overall a great hike today!

Kincaid Park Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Friday Jun 9 by Russell Hood

Jay's warning below about moose (cows, calves, pregnant mothers, etc.) remains very pertinent. WARNING: There is a recent fallen birch tree on Bolling Alley a little ways clockwise from the west end junction in that loop. If you are biking counterclockwise (odd days) it is easy to come up on this very fast with minimal warning. The tree is large and at chest height - there is no way to avoid it. You must dismount to get past this. The next time I go to Kincaid I'll bring my saw and cut it out if nobody else does it first. (But if they do please make it public so I know!) Thanks.

Johnson Pass Thursday Jun 8 by John patton

See comments below re June 1 trip over pass
Vegetation not a problem. Yet.

Alaska Pacific University Tuesday Jun 6 by Marc Phillips

The damage at APU was done by vandalism. We are in the process of litigation against the person responsible and will be looking to get the damage fixed soon (I hope).

Johnson Pass Tuesday Jun 6 by Kirk Fisher

Does anyone have a current data regarding Johnson Pass trail for mtb? Snow? Mud? Vegetation?

Cooper Landing: Russian River Campground Sunday Jun 4 by Molly Bartel

Biked Russian Loop starting at end of Snug harbor Rd. Much drier than last year at this time, vegetation still quite low. No snow. Just a few mud areas. (one black bear on the trail, easily ran off). Really good trail right now.