Hillside
Tuesday 10PM 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 12PM 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 9AM 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 passVegetation 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.
Crow Creek Trailhead
Sunday Jun 4 by Suzanne
Reached Raven Glacier from Girdwood side of Crow Pass, Crow Creek Trailhead, only crossing two fields of well packed snow, no sinking in. The first field 100 feet before the public use cabin, the second field 100 feet before the ascend to Raven Glacier. Just follow the footprints of this well used trail. Don't attempt to cross Crystal Lake which is completely under snow but full of water, skirt around the lake to the right. Fog obscured the view at times lifting then settling again but it did not rain or snow.
Resurrection Pass
Sunday Jun 4 by Nate Bannish
Info request: how's the north side of Res looking for mountain biking? Any beta would be much appreciated! :D
Alaska Pacific University
Saturday Jun 3 by Bobbo
Large portions of the trail closest to campus have been severely damaged by deep vehicle ruts. Does anyone know if this is the result of vandalism or is associated with a legitimate project still awaiting rehabilitation?
Hillside Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails
Saturday Jun 3 by Bear
Hillside trails are excellent, in case anyone was wondering, since the last report from the 21st commented on soft dirt or mud. Dirt was nice and dry, tacky without being dusty yet.
Kincaid Park
Thursday Jun 1 by jayPeaboddy
Kincaid trails are in good shape - watch for moose with calves, and black bears with cubs. Let's give them their space - take a different trail when you encounter them. A request to fellow riders: please put a bell on your bike to eliminate the stealth encounters when flying around turns. And, best to leave the dog at home - the dog, another rider, or both are going to end up injured. Thank you.
Johnson Pass
Thursday Jun 1 by John Patton
Went over north to south late last week with panniers and camped just before top. Lotsa pushing for old guys with luggage, but certainly navigable. Avalanche runout to cross near beginning and one patch of water to wade through, otherwise just some mud. No snow at top. South side perfect.
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Tuesday May 30 by Wes
Has anybody hiked/biked Middlefork recently? If you have any insight about conditions I would be very grateful. Thanks!
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Tuesday May 30 by Jason
Wes - Middle Fork Loop Trail is closed to all biking from April 1st to November 14th. It is only open to fat tire bikes in the winter and never open to regular mountain bikes with tires less than 3.7 inches wide.
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Tuesday May 30 by Julian Mason
Responding to earlier request-Middle Fork Loop is fine for hiking but is not open for biking in the summer except for a very short piece. . http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/bikingchugach.htm
Kincaid Park
Tuesday May 30 by Alison
Ran the Mize Loop. The low spot at Viola Swamp is still a 1/4 mile-long lake (ducks and everything) but it is possible to take a fairly dry route around the mess. Rest of the trail is tacky in the dirt spots but dry in the grass.
Johnson Pass
Tuesday May 30 by Greg V
i was not on the Johnson Pass trail over the weekend. However, I drove past both ends over the weekend and have through hiked it previously. There was some fresh snow over the weekend at pass altitude (3"?) but both trail heads were well clear. I would plan for a few miles of slush/mud near the pass and the rest good riding. I hope this helps.
Johnson Pass
Tuesday May 30 by John Patton
Any recent intelligence?Likely to be bikeable?
Powerline Trail towards the pass.
Monday May 29 by Dave
Started sunny, a front moved in and began a light snow with full cloud coverage. This after one hour out towards Pass. Fair amount of snow begins to accumulate on the trail after the hidden lake trail split. Mushy and deep at parts
McHugh/Rabbit Lakes Trail
Saturday May 27 by Suzanne
Parking at the end if Canyon Road, I hiked to Rabbit Lake on up past McHugh Lake and on down to McHugh Creek with no postholing. The lower trail is mostly dry you'll skirt some water but not mud, then snow on the trail at most 6 inches deep. Up to McHugh Lake go left to skirt the snow, the trail down to McHugh Creek is dry. The burned area, void of vegetation, makes an open dusty trail. Spotted many Ptarmigan.
Hillside
Friday May 26 by Terri Pauls
Please be aware that if you or your dogs bother moose and they run "away," they may run toward other people while upset, endangering the people. About halfway through Spencer Loop a cow and yearling calf came crashing through the woods with two dogs in hot pursuit, the cow coming down toward us and the calf contouring to the south. We ran and the cow, now separated from her calf, chased us until we ran off the trail. As she made her way up the hill looking for her calf, we noticed she was limping. We never saw the dog owners. If we hadn't been able to move fast, we could've been hurt. Please prevent your dogs (and yourself) from harassing moose or bears that can then threaten other people.
Government Peak Recreation Area
Friday May 26 by Ed Strabel
The road up to the parking lot will be closed Friday AM (TODAY). A helicopter will be hauling bridge material to the equestrian bridge locations. Access the hiking trails (not bike trails,too soft) from Mountain Streams B&B.
Kincaid Park
Thursday May 25 by Alison
Deterred from Jodhpur by very aggressive moose with new calf right at trailhead. Came out of the woods from across the field and charged us before we even saw her. Will probably be in that area until calf is more mobile- be extra cautious.
Hillside
Sunday May 21 by Julian Mason
Contrary to an earlier post, the Hillside Trail system (STA, ski trails, Campbell Tract, and Bi Centennial Park) is not all dry. Over the last 2 days, I have toured a good part of the trails on foot. Generally, the trails are dry, but there are significant wet, muddy areas that are being badly rutted. I have been asking riders to walk their bikes around the mud holes, but to walk through and pack down the ruts. That way, we can have fun riding and do trail maintenance at the same time.
Cooper Landing: Russian River Campground
Sunday May 21 by Bridget
We biked through from Snug Harbor Rd to Russian Lakes campground in Cooper Landing, staying at Upper Russian cabin. 3 fat bikes, one mountain bike, one hiker. First 3-5 miles on Friday involved some walking over mud/snow patches (fat bikes fared better), then the trail cleared. The ride out Sunday was mostly dry, and made for good biking conditions. If you're heading to that cabin in the next week or so on bike, I suggest to start and end at the Russian River Campground side and do an out-and-back, rather than shuttle thru.
Bird Ridge
Saturday May 20 by TMB
Found a dog collar on the way up Bird Ridge last evening. Call 336-8416 if you lost one
Hillside
Saturday May 20 by Jen
STA trails, nordic trails, campbell tract and tour trail to MLK bridge are all dry and great for biking.
Independence Mine
Saturday May 20 by red8wop
Had to walk ~150 yards to the snow. Then the left side is skiable going up, but not for long. About 1K up it is all snow. Still really good above Gold Cord and High Grade, but soon will have to walk down the road. Nice hard freeze made for good crust above Gold Cord, but pretty rugged out the post-holed road. About 2 meter wide strip on right side going down is smooth.
Resurrection Pass
Friday May 19 by AA
Anyone have any news on Gull Rock Trail in Hope? Specifically for biking
Glen Alps
Friday May 19 by Emily
Power line trail--headed 2 miles SE out and back, a few spots of snow and mud, but most of it is clear and dry.
Glen Alps
Friday May 19 by Emily
Power line trail--headed 2 miles SE out and back, a few spots of snow and mud, but most of it is clear and dry.
Hillside
Thursday May 18 by Skijoring Ladybugs
Simply for awareness...there is a black bear sow with a cub near the Hilltop end of the Gasline. One of our dogs became aware of her before she was aware of us and gave an alarm "woof." The sow treed the cub and took a protective stance at the base of the tree. We called in the dogs and went elsewhere to give her space.
Government Peak Recreation Area
Wednesday May 17 by Ed Strabel
The Ski/Summer hiking trails are temporarily closed for new ski trail construction for the next 2 weeks. Individuals wanting to train for the Government Peak Climb should either access the Race trail from the mountain bike trail that starts from the North side of the parking lot or start from Mountain Streams B&B (especially if you are doing a late evening run up. The GPRA lower gate currently gets locked at 9 PM and will change to 10 PM on 20 May.
Independence Mine
Wednesday May 17 by rew8wop
Thanks for the groom Ed! It covered up SOME of the postholes. Still good above Gold Cord and especially high grade, but AT gear is probably the gear of choice now. Punchy off trail, best to come down Gold Cord on the road. And now I have to find my bike...
Independence Mine
Wednesday May 17 by Ed Strabel
Groomed this morning, but not very good.
Turnagain Pass
Tuesday May 16 by Julian Maon
Any recent skiing report? Thank you.
Glen Alps
Tuesday May 16 by Julian Mason
Any recent ski report from Peaks 3-6? Thank you
Independence Mine
Tuesday May 16 by red8wop
A glorious, sunny morning! Hard freeze with the clear skies even with 37.4 low temp. Road is post-holed almost the entire width, almost to the mine, but above the mine was really good. Still shows 4 on Trimble stake, High grade crust/corn the best. The east side of the road has more snow. You have to walk ~150 feet up the road to get to the snow. A little punchy off trail below mine on the way down, the old grooming was the best
Independence Mine
Tuesday May 16 by red8wop
A glorious, sunny morning! Hard freeze with the clear skies even with 37.4 low temp. Road is potholed almost to the mine, but above the mine was really good. Still shows 4 on Trimble stake, High grade crust/corn the best. The east side of the road has more snow. You have to walk ~150 feet up the road to get to the snow. A little punchy off trail below mine on the way down, the old grooming was the best
Independence Mine
Monday May 15 by Cape St. Elias
Great afternoon ski. Glorious actually. But I hate to say it, if it stays this warm, the end is nigh.
Glacier Creek
Sunday May 14 by William Koeppen
We put in at Glacier Creek on the way back home from Turnagain Pass. Great conditions right now, with no wood in the upper sections. Lots of fun, Class II+ water, though still a little boney for a clean run. Lower down where the river braids out (near the airport), things got pretty shallow, and there are a few stumps in unfortunate places in the deepest channels. All avoidable, though we did walk around one to be safe.
Granite Creek
Sunday May 14 by William Koeppen
Water levels increased and we ran upper Granite Creek, from the put-in just below the snow machine lot to the bridge at Granite Creek Campground. The alders are not too scratchy yet, the creek had just a little snow on the banks, and the only wood in the water remains at Bertha Creek Campground (easily portaged). There are two trees that look about to hit the water with just a little more bank erosion, maybe even this season, but for now you can just push branches aside or skirt around.
Independence Mine
Sunday May 14 by Ed Strabel
Weather cam shows about 1-2 inches of white stuff on the ground and 28 degrees.sorry for the mistake on my earlier post. Archangel Rd should have been Independence Mine. MSSC may be able to groom another week at the mine.
