Alaska Outdoor Reports

Archangel Road Monday 9AM by Bobbo

Ed, what is the current condition of Archangel Road for driving (to the bridge)?

Archangel Road Monday 9AM by Ed Strabel

I don't know. From what I understand it is getting rutted up and wash boarded.

Independence Mine Sunday 2PM by redwop

We were disappointed to find the gate locked, as we had visitors that can't walk the 2 miles RT. Good news is fresh snow at and below Friendship pass - it is coming!

Archangel Road Saturday 7AM by Ed Strabel

DOT will be closing the road Monday thru Friday ,1-5 Oct for road maintenance.

Kincaid Park Sunday Sep 16 by Sue Negus

Bad Black bear encounter. Was riding on Middle earth towards the coast. Heard screaming,kept going towards it and right when I got to the Drop Zone these two young boys started yelling black bear. I get off bike grab bear mace and start to yell at bear. The boys are below me about 20-30 feet. At some point the bear runs b/w us toward some devils club to eat some berries. I yell for the kids to come over to me. The bear comes back to the drop zone under first jump. The bear seemed like he did some false charging but keeping a distance of 20 feet. Would back off but then would come back. Then discovered a camel back with taffe in it and ripped that camel back pack apart. Once again thought he started to leave but comes back. I start yelling again and waving my arms and seems like the bear started to walk closer. At about 10 feet I gave a burst of the mace. Bear put nose in the air slowly turned around and walked away. When he was far enough away we grabbed our stuff and headed the opposite direction. Before I got to the scene of bear encounter the bear had charged the older boy and he had already maced the bear with a burst once. I just bought mine this year, not sure made a difference. Seemed like it went on forever, but probably 20 minutes. Glad it is over.

Hillside Tuesday Sep 11 by L.KytomaaLane

Be aware. There is a fair amount of recent bear scat (within the last 3 or 4 days) on the Lighted Loop, and near Service High School.

Kincaid Park Saturday Sep 8 by Tom

On Friday I saw a black bear on the Coastal Trail, about mile 7.5 or so, just South of the bridge. On Saturday, riding back from Kincaid, there were 3 bears (looked like a mama and 2 big cubs) in the exact same spot. After they left, I rode North about 50 yards, and another black bear crossed the trail right in front of me. Biking to Kincaid is getting unbearable!

Kincaid Park Friday Sep 7 by wookie

Big black bear on Toilet Bowl today.

Reed Lakes Update Saturday Aug 18 by Loraine

Lots of folks hiking to the Reed Lakes today. Trail a bit wet and muddy in places, with water running down the trail and pooled in a few areas, but very navigable (preferably in waterproof shoes/boots).

Reed Lakes Friday Aug 17 by Loraine

The following report was posted on "All Trails" 3 days ago (Aug. 14):
Amazing hike! The trail is indeed moderate until you get to the terminus of the Reed Lakes trail, but the scramble up to Bomber Glacier is very tough - steep and sketchy rock slide-outs. If you give the glacier a shot, give yourself lots of time to tackle it safely. You will be rewarded with some incredible views.

Campbell Creek Trail Friday Aug 17 by Tracy Christopherson

There is a medium-sized black bear hanging around the dog mushing trails that bisect Campbell Creek trail (between Lake Otis and Elmore). We have seen it twice in the past two months.

Reed Lakes Wednesday Aug 15 by Linus Van Pelt

Does anyone know if the trail to Reed Lakes is do-able with all of the recent rain? Are the streams easy to cross? Looking at going this weekend (Aug 18th).

Hillside Saturday Aug 4 by HollyH

Anyone know if the old rope swing is still swinging? Down the hill from the Hillside lighted loop? Thanks!

BLM Campbell Tract Tuesday Jul 31 by Amak

I'm thinking it was a spruce hen?

BLM Campbell Tract Saturday Jul 28 by Nick

I hope you had your pigeon spray with you.

BLM Campbell Tract Thursday Jul 26 by Cheryl

My sister and I were chased by a deranged pigeon for 1 1/2 miles from the bridge to antenna hillð

South Suicide Peak Saturday Jul 21 by Loraine

This is a longshot, but a friend lost a Black (no case) Motorola Play cellphone on Sat., 7/21, during a fall a short distance below the summit of South Suicide Peak, in the area above the Windy Gap scree field and the south summit.

Government Peak Recreation Area Saturday Jul 21 by Ed Strabel

All the new ski trails have been seeded. Please stay off. All other trails are open. The Pioneer loop as well as the Mat-Su loops have all been mowed and play well with a pitching wedge. Enjoy!

Government Peak Recreation Area Saturday Jul 7 by Dave Musgrave

We need your help to come up to the new trails at GPRA to take a nice walk around the trails and throw off the larger rocks (anything above 6 inches) and wooden debris off the trails. You can do this anytime from now until Wednesday. Say hello to our heavy equipment operators, Ed and Mark Strabel, but please watch out for the heavy equipment. Wear your gloves!

Reed Lakes Friday Jul 6 by Mary

Trail good to waterfall above first lake. Up above snow covers much of the trail. Opted not to continue. First lake about 80% frozen, but camping is possible there. Several groups going in today.

Crow Pass Trailhead Thursday Jul 5 by Dave

Thanks Mary!

Reed Lake Wednesday Jul 4 by Kirk

Has anyone been to Reed Lakes lately? Is camping doable?

Crow Pass Trailhead Wednesday Jul 4 by Dave

Can anybody provide an update on the Crow Pass Trail from Girdwood to the Glacier? Thanks!

Crow Pass Trailhead Sunday Jul 1 by Mary

Crow Pass Girdwood to Glacier in great shape. Did it Sunday. Some snow crossings up top, but no post-holing.

Hatcher Pass Friday Jun 29 by Rob

The road over Hatcher Pass was opened yesterday around 1pm. Still quite a bit of snow around Summit Lake and April Bowl. The road to Archangel is open as well. I would imagine plenty of snow still to contend with as you approach the first Reed Lake with even more snow beyond.

Archangel Road Friday Jun 29 by Loraine

Thank you very much for the timely update, Rob!

Archangel Road Thursday Jun 28 by Loraine

Does anyone have a recent report on the Reed Lakes trail condition and/or whether the road to the trailhead parking area is fully open? Thanks.

Hillside Thursday Jun 28 by L. Kytomaa Lane

Large pile of fresh bear scat (last night or early this morning) on the uphill before Heartbreak. My Karelian Bear Dogs and I stopped to make sure, and there were perfect bear tracks in the fine silty dirt. Please be Bear Aware!

Hillside Wednesday Jun 27 by Loraine

Sign posted at Trailside Elementary School on Wed., 6/27/18, 1:30 p.m., says a bear was seen on the playground.

Glen Alps Tuesday Jun 26 by CT

Found a set of keys melting out of the snow in O'Malley Gully today, probably lost some time earlier this year. Post here with your email or phone # if you think they are yours. I'll contact you and if you can describe them (vehicle make, what the keys look like), they are yours.

Grandview Sunday Jun 24 by Paul

I floated Trail Creek Sunday @7.2 on the Trail river gauge. Any lower than that would be too rocky.
The Trail Glacier trail is scheduled for work this summer, check with Glacier Ranger District for trail information / condition. The hunter whistle stop providing access Â¼ mile from Trail creek is unfunded.
Photos:
https://youtu.be/iA_3YLuGaSQ

Hillside Thursday Jun 21 by Joe Kurtak

A new gate with no trespassing signs has been put up on Brewster's Road in upper Bear Valley, approx. 0.1 mi back down the road from the original Brewster's gate. A house is under construction a short distance beyond this new gate and just below the road. This closure could inhibit access to the base of Long Gully especially for spring corn skiers.

Hillside Wednesday Jun 13 by L. Kytomaa Lane

Be Bear Aware! There is fresh bear scat all over on Homestead Trail. At least 5 different piles. Please be careful on the trail. I had bear spray, and a Karelian Bear Dog (on leash, as always) with me today.

Crevasse Moraine Trails Monday Jun 11 by Dave Musgrave

The MSB trail crew just emailed me that they started on the bypass of the College Connector (near our beloved K-Mart Alley) last week to avoid the Landfill construction. They're having to deal with rain - and horses.

In spite of signage closing the trail, horses have ridden through there damaging the trail. Which means the crew has to go back and redo that portion of trail. That bypass is your lifeline to get past the landfill working face there. This will slow down the trail construction and make it cost more.

Campbell Creek Trail Sunday Jun 10 by Loraine

The Campbell Creek bike path/trail is closed for the 2018 summer season due to construction upgrades from just east of the "C" Street underpass westward to its end at Victor Road.

Lazy Mountain Trail Saturday Jun 2 by Doug Hill

Motorcycles just below top of Lazy today.
Saw dirt bike tracks on Southside Trail last weekend.

Hatcher Pass Saturday Jun 2 by Terri Pauls

Tons of snow at Hatcher and bluebird skies, at last! Not knowing what I'd find after a 38-degree night, I took lightweight touring skis. Snowpack firm enough (didn't fall through), with ego corn snow by 1:00 that made me wish I was on my tele skis. Snow was faster where it had been groomed last week -- Independence Mine and around the bowl to the east, across the creek (wish that eastern bowl grooming had been reported weeks ago; would've made the drive from Anchorage worthwhile). Only slightly slower off prior grooming, including Gold Cord. Seems like the snow will be there for quite a while...

Arctic Valley Ski Area Saturday Jun 2 by Dede

Walking up the valley to the saddle the trail disappears under snow about half way up. Some mud and patches of snow in the first half, all manageable. I saw folks postholing hip deep in the upper valley so I left the trail to the left and sidewinded to the saddle. From there the trail to Gordon Lyon is great, as is the ridge and descent down valley before the Nike road. The down part is muddy but not snowy.

Singletrack Advocates (STA) Trails Thursday May 31 by Bear

Kincaid STA is outstanding. Dry everywhere, but still packed dirt, no dust. Get it while it's good.

Impressions:
South side of the park is in excellent condition.
Northwest Passage is pretty pitted and rattly to ride fast.
Hanging Chad, Evolution and Candy Mountain are all in the same shape they were last year.
Drop Zone is in like-new condition.

Granite Creek Thursday May 31 by Greg V

I biked today from the Six Mile Creek whitewater put-in to near the Johnson Pass TH. The path has been swept and is mostly smooth. I then floated Granite Creek/Six Mile from above the campground back to the whitewater put-in where I took out. There were no wood hazards that werenât easily avoidable in my 13â cat. It was a nice uphill ride followed by a relaxing downstream float on a beautiful day.

Cabin Valley Trail Wednesday May 30 by Adrian

Partially eaten moose carcass in Campbell Creek right alongside the Cabin Valley trail a couple hundred yards below the Prospect Heights bridge.

Independence Mine Wednesday May 30 by Jeff

Groomed the trails. There is snow falling from the sky. Ski should be good this morning. Three people headed up the trail already.

Independence Mine Tuesday May 29 by Cape St. Elias

Great day of skiing up through the mine and then up above Gold Cord. Nice soft corn. I think there could be skiing well into June unless we get a lot of rain. Big thank you to Ed and the crew for all of their hard work this year.

Independence Mine Tuesday May 29 by Ed Strabel

Jeff Kase will do the final grooming of the ski season early tomorrow AM up through the mine buildings. The Mat-Su Ski Club will then pull all our grooming equipment out for the season. We'll be back in early October. Have a great summer. Sign up for the Alaska Mountain running series. Gov't Peak Climb is this Saturday. No limit on entries.

Johnson Pass Monday May 28 by Leigh ann

Trail is in great condition, only biked in about 5 miles but did not run into any snow.

Mat Valley Monday May 28 by Valley Dud

The greenbelt trails are dry and, in places dusty, and good riding. Quite a bit of horse traffic the past few days, so be aware of them out there moving slowly.

Government Peak trails are closed, and for good reason. Beyond the first trail junction - Fireweed/Connector it gets damp and then past the second junction - Connector/Fireweed/Fiddlehead - it gets soupy and muddy in a real hurry.

Independence Mine Saturday May 26 by Jeff

Hard snow from the freeze this morning made for easy grooming and good ski conditions on and off trail.

Rabbit Creek Valley Saturday May 26 by devo

Hiked Rabbit Lake trail to near Rabbit Lake and camped overnight. Breezy, 32F, and light sleet at 7am. Numerous snow patches and drifts along trail, but reasonably passable until ~1/2 mile below lake. Then post holing thru deeper snow required.

Independence Mine Saturday May 26 by wayne

Skied on good crust from 6:30AM to 8:30AM; crust on east/SE facing slopes broke shortly before 8:30AM, but other aspects were still holding. Best crust was above 3,400'.

Independence Mine Thursday May 24 by Kruser

As Ed says, "go anywhere" crust. Very easy skiing up to Gold Cord and beyond. A skiff of fresh, the just corning out on the descent, and then out Ed's great trail. Best conditions in a while, and sunshine!