Reddit Reddit reviews 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska

We found 5 Reddit comments about 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska
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5 Reddit comments about 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska:

u/gimmethatbloodstupid · 4 pointsr/alaska

For your mornings, there's a few options for shorter hikes in the front range. Flattop mountain from Glen Alps Trailhead might be tolerable in the morning (crazy crowded on a nice summer evening). Near Point is another good, relatively quick hike.

For your several days free, I'd recommend shelling out a few bucks for 55 Ways (Amazon link), it will save me typing and the inevitable omission of good suggestions.

I will say, if you're on a moto, you pretty much gotta head out toward Glennallen, past the Matanuska Glacier and Lion's Head.

u/Carl262 · 3 pointsr/alaska

You may find this book useful. Or you can do some research here, here, or here.

Here are some hikes that fit what you're looking for. I'm going to assume "mild" elevation means under 1500 feet of gain.

  • Bodenburg Butte (Palmer) – 3 miles total, 900 feet of elevation. Popular short, easy hike, offers nice views of the valley and mountains. Can be done as a traverse or there-and-back. Either way is fine.
  • Thunderbird Falls (Eagle River) – 2 miles RT, 200 feet of elevation. Pretty easy hike. No mountain vistas, but a quaint waterfall at the end
  • Eagle River Nature Center (Eagle River) – Large network of trails with low elevation gain. Anything from half-mile loops to multi-day hikes. Mostly through spruce and birch forest, with some great mountain views thrown in. If you’re here, at least do the Rodak Trail.
  • Baldy (Eagle River) – 3 miles RT, maybe 1000 feet of elevation. Popular hike, but not as well-traveled as Flattop, although it’s easier with similar views.
  • Flattop (Anchorage) – 3 miles RT, 1200 feet of elevation. Most popular hike in Anchorage. The last section is one step shy of rock climbing. I find the rock scramble a little frightening, but lots of non-hikers do it.
  • Rendezvous Peak (Anchorage) – 3.5 miles RT, 1500 feet of elevation. Popular hike, but you’re probably better picking Flattop or Wolverine if you’re looking for something in the area.
  • Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (Anchorage) –No elevation. Easy, paved multi-use trail. It’s a nice place for a stroll. Nice views, easy to get to. Just walk as far as you want and backtrack, assuming you won’t do the 11-mile planet walk.
  • Winner Creek (Girdwood) – About 5.5 miles to the hand tram and back from Alyeska Resort. 250 feet of elevation. Fairly easy. No mountain vistas, but a nice stream, and a fun hand-tram. Can be done as a traverse (if you get a ride at the other end near Crow Creek), or backtrack after doing the hand tram. If 5.5 miles is too far, start at Crow Creek Mine, and just walk to the hand-tram and back.
  • Byron Glacier (Girdwood) – About 3 miles round-trip. Very little elevation change. Fairly easy. Good views of a mountain valley and Byron Glacier.
  • Portage Pass (Whittier) – 2 miles RT to saddle, 4 RT to lake. 600 feet of elevation to saddle, plus another 700 feet if you go down to the lake. If you’re into Whittier and enjoy hiking, at least hike up to the top of the saddle on Portage Pass for views of Prince William Sound and Portage Glacier. Hike all the way to the lake if it looks enjoyable and you have time.
u/ganthus · 1 pointr/alaska

Local Alaskan here. Mid-May can vary a lot in terms of weather so you need to be prepared for winter-summer hiking. We've had multiple feet of snowfall at sea level in May, so you can imagine how it is at elevation. Here's the most popular local guide for Southcentral Alaska:

http://www.amazon.com/55-Ways-Wilderness-Southcentral-Alaska/dp/0898867916

My favorite spring hike is Crow Pass but it's not really a full week trip, more like 3-4 days tops depending on how slow you take it. Spring is good for that one because you ford a river and the height should be low.

u/[deleted] · 1 pointr/anchorage

Crow Pass is a pretty awesome trail. There's a cabin you can rent for one night (book it as soon as possible, it fills up fast) and it's one of the hallmark trails of the park. 26 miles, a few glacier views, an alpine lake, stream crossings, likely bear and moose sightings.

Also, I see someone recommended the "55 ways..." book. There's another book called "50 hikes in Alaska's Chugach State Park". I would recommend the latter as well as this map. If you are well versed in backpacking, those three things will get you a loooong way.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about Anchorage or the Chugach (or if you need a ride somewhere). Make sure to eat at the Moose's Tooth as well. I would feel like a shitty Alaskan if I didn't at least try to send you there.

u/jauntmag · 1 pointr/alaska