This is a point to point hike, that for the average hiker takes several days. I'm a serious slow…read morepoke, so I always out and back the first couple miles. The hike is fairly steep, that in the summer doesn' require cleats, but walking poles or a stick is nice, especially if your knees are garbage like mine. You definitely want to being a well equipped pack and plan for everything, since this location is somewhat remote, and if something goes sideways you want to be prepared. Animal encounters are a real possibility. The weather and temperature fluctuates in typical Alaskan style as well. If you go far enough, you'll have to cross a creek, which depending on the time of day, can be unpassable. In fall the colors are absolutely stunning. I highly recommend this trail for adults. Leave the kids and pets home.

Great hike in Girdwood, more exciting and less crowded than the "other" trail in Girdwood…read more You'll pass old mining debris and wander up a hill. As things get steeper watch out for Mountain Goats! I saw a Nanny and a Billy last time I was here. Eventually, you'll get pretty close to some assorted waterfalls and then top out on the pass proper. At the top is a lovely A-frame hut (reservation only, don't mess with the people in there, give 'em some privacy!). If you continue onward you'll see great views of the Raven Glacier. We brought some ice tools and crampons so we could play around on it. It was a great time! Most people turn around here. But, if you're well-equipped, you can continue almost 20 miles, all the way to Eagle River. Definitely a must-hike in the Girdwood area. If you get back in time, I recommend dinner at Jack Sprat!

You may not know the name of this mountain but, she knows you…read more.. if you've driven through the Arm more than a couple times, you've definitely seen it. If you're driving back into Anchorage, it's visible as you're approaching the small village of "Indian" (home to one of the best restaurants in the state: Froth & Forage, https://www.yelp.com/biz/froth-and-forage-coffeehouse-and-eatery-anchorage) It's flanked by two official trails: Falls Creek Trail: on the "Anchorage side" (west) https://www.yelp.com/biz/falls-creek-trail-anchorage Indian Valley Trail: on the "Indian, AK side" (east) https://www.yelp.com/biz/indian-valley-trail-anchorage The trail that goes up to Indianhouse is not an "official trail". Because of this, I was always leery about climbing Indianhouse Mountain. I'm not super-thrilled about bushwhacking, and I thought getting to the mountain proper would require a ton of it. Oh, how wrong I was! The trail that goes up here is actually shockingly well maintained. No 'schwacking at all! It is, however, incredibly steep. Probably steepest trail I've been on in the Chugach State Park area (maybe that's why it's not "official"). Anyway, for the first (steep) mile, it's a very steep hike. You'll eventually top out on nice, wide prairie-like area. From here, casual hikers should probably turn around. You'll know you're at the turnaround point because the trail will start to become faint and eventually disappear into a ridge that leads to the much larger ridge of Indianhouse Mountain. To summit Indianhouse, DO NOT ride this ridge up to ridge of Indianhouse and then try to take that to the summit! This is a tempting move to make but the rock that lies ahead for you is of very poor quality and the moves are very much 5th-class! (e.g. you'll need a rope) Go partially up the ridge, but, before you connect with the summit ridge traverse right. And keep traversing right. This...can be kinda bushwhacky, but you're largely on tundra (and/or garbage snow). I'd say this is probably the crux of the hike/climb. You're looking for a large couloir (narrow gully) that leads up to the summit. It usually has snow in it until later in the summer. You might want to bring an ice axe and crampons or, at the very least, a trekking pole and some microspikes. The summit is exposed and complex, with incredible views in all directions. Views of the nearby Suicide Peaks are one-of-a-kind!

If you want a trail that's a step up from your usual Flattop, this is a good candidate…read more Stats: Mileage: ~2 miles Gain: ~3,500 ft For comparison, here is flattop: Mileage: 1.5 miles Gain: 1,350 The trail is only slightly longer but packs ~2.5X as much gain! It's located between the McHugh Creek (https://www.yelp.com/biz/mchugh-creek-chugach-state-park-anchorage) and Falls Creek trailheads (https://www.yelp.com/biz/falls-creek-trail-anchorage). It's poorly-signed so you gotta be on the lookout! (mile marker is between 108 and 109). Like just about every trailhead on the Seward Highway, it connects with the moderate and uncreatively-named "Turnagain Arm Trail" (https://www.yelp.com/biz/turnagain-arm-trail-anchorage). The main attraction here is summiting Rainbow Peak. To do this: - From the parking lot, walk West (towards Anchorage) till you find the trail. - This short unnamed trail feeds into the Turnagain Arm trail, you'll quickly come to a sign at the junction with TA trail. You'll want to, again, go towards Anchorage. (e.g. NOT towards "Windy Corner") - Look for where the trail crosses a gravel service road (warning: do not go up this, weird private property section!) Once you cross this, start being on the lookout for a scree covered "trail" to our right. It's very close to where the TA trail crests up on a ridge, it'll be on your right. It'll look sewwwper steep, but, don't be scared (I recommend grabbing trees, in the amateur alpinst world, we call this a "veggie belay"). It lets up. After a while, you'll gain the ridge proper and it'll be pretty obvious where to go (up!) The views from the summit are pretty good, you can see the neighboring trails (McHugh and Falls Creek), the Suicides, and a panoramic view of the arm. A word of caution: be on the lookout for bears and always carry spray and/or hike in groups. I saw a grizzly bear on a neighboring slope (he was far away, he just chilled in the bushes the whole time) and some hikers coming down told me they saw a black bear chasing a sheep on the ridge. I then started hiking with my spray-drawn. I thought I looked like Special Forces team, but I probably more closely resembled The Orkin Man. (is that still a thing? Do people still know who he is?) Definitely, try this one out, it can also be done as an after-work hike if you don't mind coming in a little tired the next day!

To get here, you have to first get on the Eklutna Lakeside Trail:…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/eklutna-lakeside-trail-eklutna Once on the trail, it's about 8.5 miles to this campground. There aren't a lot of amenities (no bathrooms) but there are very nice picnic tables and some fire rings! You can also camp down by the lake. The views are much better but the wind can be insane! This is located right next to Bold Airstrip a historical "airport" that is still occasionally used. I wouldn't worry about airplane noise keeping you up though. ;) This is a great place to camp the night before (and after, depending on your time) a big climb up Bold Peak(https://www.yelp.com/biz/bold-peak-anchorage) or Bashful Peak(https://www.yelp.com/biz/bashful-peak-anchorage).

So, it's kind of hard to find information on this trail, so I'll help ya'll out…read more GETTING HERE: From the Seward Highway, go north (a right if you're heading towards Anchorage, a left if you're heading away from Anchorage) on Boretide Rd (right next to the new Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ location). Where the marker is for this Yelp listing, is where the paved road ends. Just keep going straight! The road can be a little bumpy but nothing that would require high-clearance or 4WD/AWD. Eventually, after what seems like a long time (but isn't), you'll end up at the trailhead. Officially, this trailhead is called "Indian Valley Trailhead". Chugach State Park's website is horrible (they have some great .pdf's for some of their trails, but good luck finding them anywhere on their website...), so I was only able to find most of this information from: googling, using summitpost (a climbing website), and browsing blogs. Hopefully, this consolidated source of information will be helpful to some! From this trailhead, you can access two trails: Powerline Pass: which has its other end at the Glen Alps area (Flattop) Indian Valley Trail: a trail of controversial quality (I have never done it) that goes NE from this trailhead and eventually meets the Ship Creek Trail. (About 1/4 of a mile up the trail you'll come to a junction: if you go straight you'll be on Indian Valley Trail, if you take a left, and go over a footbridge, you'll be on Powerline Pass trail) I'll be mainly speaking of Powerline Pass. Most folks start Powerline Pass up near Glen Alps. Most folks mountain bike* it, rather than hike it. Most folks would need a bike with a good suspension to do this. I do not have such a faithful, two-wheeled steed, so I hike. Why hike it from this side? A couple reasons: 1) This is the approach hike to climb Homicide Peak: this is how I originally found the trail. Homicide Peak is a fun scramble with awesome views of the Suicide Peaks. More info on climbing Homicide can be found here: http://www.summitpost.org/homicide-peak/815642 2) Crowds: there aren't many. This trail isn't as well-known or popular as many others in the area. 3) Feasting options: Froth and Forage (https://www.yelp.com/biz/froth-and-forage-coffeehouse-and-eatery-anchorage) is open till 10 pm, and located very close to this trailhead. Hiking early in the morning? Stop in for a coffee. Hiking late in the evening? Stop in for a burger! 4) Get out of your usual rut: expand your mind, hike some new stuff! Reasons you might want to be a bit leery of this trail: 1) I've heard the Indian Valley Trail can be miserable and overgrown in spots. I hope you like bushwhacking. Or 'schwacking, for short. 2) There can be lots of bear activity in this area. Carry your spray, take your dog, hike in a group. 3) If there's been recent rain, it can get pretty muddy. Definitely, give this trail a shot! *for info on mountain biking Powerline Pass, check out this slick website: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6452974/powerline-pass

Awesome mountain! From Anchorage, this is the peak in the Chugach that looks like a sharp pyramid,…read moreset behind the other peaks. It contains the only glacier left in the front range...and it doesn't look like There are numerous ways to the top, most are 3rd class. I took the NW ridge which his a chossy 4th/5th class climb to the top, depending on the line you choose. Views from the top are incredible, some of the best in the Chugach!

This starts at the same trailhead:…read more https://www.yelp.com/biz/prospect-heights-trailhead-anchorage as Wolverine Peak: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wolverine-peak-anchorage I think of this one as a "baby Wolverine". Like.... *SPOILERS FOR A MARVEL MOVIE BELOW THIS* Like that little girl in the movie "Logan". *END SPOILERS* Anyway. It's a decent hike. The start is the same as Wolverine, and it's brushy as hell. It's scary. Bring bear spray, know how to use it and be loud. Once you exit the brush, the trail keeps going up and up, but no one point is super-steep. You won't use your hands (like flattop). There isn't much exposure (big cliff drops) here either, so it's a great hike for your friends that are afraid of heights. In all honesty though, I feel like the views from Wolverine are MUCH better...and it doesn't take THAT much longer (maybe an hour or two). So I'd probably do that one instead. This is a great winter hike as the trailhead is much easier to get to than others in town. It's not anywhere near as snow, or icy, or steep as even some place like Glenn Alps.

I see this hike as the Anchorage equivalent to Mt. Baldy in neighboring Eagle River. Also, most…read morelocals equate Mt. Baldy with Flattop. So... I guess you could say this is a far less crowded alternative to Flattop. It can be accessed via the Prospect Heights Trailhead and provides great views of the Anchorage bowl. It gets pretty windy up here sometimes so I would bring extra layers even on a sunny day. There's not much else to say except you reach Williwaw Lakes if you continue on towards the Campbell Creek Canyon Trail. Although most people seem to go the opposite direction for a pretty great overnighter.

Snapple has got it wrong, THIS place is made from the best stuff on earth !…read more Everything from the pingauzer ride, breathtaking views of the valley, sweet dogs and meeting Nick was the highlight of my Alaska trip! Now, prior to heading out to Girdwood and taking the trip, I read the description and thought "Eh, this sounds a bit campy." We did it regardless and do not regret it. Riding up a mountain, playing with puppers small and large, going on a ride in a cart pulled by aforementioned dogs.. sounds silly but it was more fun than watching a kitten chase a laser beam. Mother nature also graced us with a clear, 70 degree day as well. That helps! I've read about some blatant dog abuse that goes on with certain teams or kennels that are associated with the iditarod. Taking that into consideration, these pups did not appear to be mistreated in the slightest. In fact, you could tell Nick absolutely adores all of the dogs and isn't just putting on a show for the tourists. He talks about them as if they were his kids in a sly, goofy way that's rather hard to describe. The doggos, despite short leashes and funny looking houses seem as if they are quite well taken care of and are absolutely ecstatic about doing their job -- running! Shockingly enough, they're equally as estastic to meet strangers as well! If you're looking for a great way to spend an afternoon, check these folks (AND CUTE PUPS) out. Man, I'm a sucker for a cute furry face.

Nic and staff are all great. His office staff were very accommodating as we had scheduling issues…read more They provided us with several options and would have been happy to refund our fees. Fortunately we were able to make the tour. The ride to the kennel is a bit rough but you really get the feel for the area. Nic gives a interesting introduction and you are encouraged to interact with the dogs. He tells stories about himself and the dogs. You then learn how to harness the dogs and off you go in his cart. Taking turns through the sometimes dusty trail on a thrill ride. You finish the tour at the puppy pavilion, where you learn more about the racing and then PUPPIES!! We had enough time to ask questions and never felt rushed. A great day, and then Tyler recommended pizza at Chair 5 in the town of Girdwood, to die for pizza. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31000-d8421789-r595086029-Girdwood_Mushing_Company-Girdwood_Anchorage_Alaska.html#