Outdoor Adventures
By Travel Trade Staff
Afternoon sunshine splinters through a stand of birch. Fractured light reflects in the broad leaves of cow parsnip and delicate petals of Arctic poppies, creating a diaphanous symphony of color. With bike tires humming on the asphalt, I spin along the coast of Cook Inlet. A young bull moose pauses from his browse off the trail watching with apathetic eyes as I whiz by - rounding the curve to Point Woronzoff. Stopping on a grassy slope, I dismount and push the bike to the edge of a bluff, unsnap my helmet and enjoy the view. To the left up Turnagain Arm, and to the right, the snowy peak that is the highest point in North America, Mount McKinley. Straight across Cook Inlet is the recumbent form of Sleeping Lady, and the many snow capped peaks along the horizon as far as the eye can see. Six mountain ranges all in one scene! Every mile of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail has offered an incredible surprise. And there’s still five more miles to go...
Anchorage has been recognized by Runners World, Bicycling Magazine and the American Hiking Society as having one of the best trail systems in the United States and it’s easy to see why! There are more than 128 miles (206 km) of paved bike trails and 300 miles (482 km) of unpaved wilderness trails that are enjoyed year-round. These trails provide excellent opportunities to hike, bike, walk, run, rollerblade, ATV, ride horseback, view wildlife and pick berries. . . and that’s just summer activities! Maps may be downloaded at www.anchorage.net/650.cfm or consult the map in the Anchorage Visitors Guide.
Here are some of the most popular parks and trails within the Municipality of Anchorage:
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This popular 11-mile, multi-use trail begins downtown Anchorage on Second Avenue and passes by several major points of interest in the Anchorage area including the Oscar Anderson House at Elderberry Park, Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park and Point Woronzoff - before terminating at Kincaid Park Outdoor Center. The trail affords incredible views of Cook Inlet and six different mountain ranges at one time. The last four miles of the trail passes through a beautiful boreal forest that is well populated with moose. Bicycle rentals are available in downtown Anchorage.
Kincaid Park
This large park was once a military installation that was eventually turned over to the Municipality and converted into one of the city’s most popular year-round multi-recreation centers. Remnants of post WWII bunkers are evident there today. Located in West Anchorage on the coast of Cook Inlet, it is also the terminus of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail at Mile 11, and offers 31 miles of looped trails within the park. A spacious and airy sports chalet provides indoor comfort with panoramic views of Cook Inlet, and north as far as the Alaska Range, the location of Mount McKinley. With whoop-de-do roller coaster routes, incredible scenic overlooks, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities (especially moose) Kincaid Park possesses plenty of excitement appeal.
Hillside Park
Located in the Chugach foothills within Far North Bicentennial Park, Hillside Park gives all levels of adventure seekers an opportunity for a really good time. The park features 7.5 miles of multiuse trails, some with special designation for mountain biking or horseback riding.
Chugach State Park
It’s easy to find this park. Just look to the east from any point in the city – its located within the mountains that tower over miles of awesome back-country. Anchorage’s wilderness back-yard is 5.6 million acres and the nation’s third largest state park. The summer trails are arrayed with brilliant alpine wildflowers and in late summer, patches of plump berries ripe for the picking. Just 30 minutes from down-town Anchorage is Flattop Trail Head, established the city of Anchorage, part of the Glen Alps trail system. The most popular hike in Alaska, its 3.5 miles (5.6 km) rising 1,550 feet is rigorous but well worth the incredible vistas of the city, Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet. Anchorage Overlook Trail is a short paved path that leads from the Flattop Trail Head/Glen Alps parking area to a viewing deck - affording impressive views at a slightly lower elevation. Crow Pass/Historic Iditarod Trail, 26 miles of pure wilderness from Eagle River Valley to Girdwood, is a popular summer overnighter but is also run as an extreme marathon. There are many more spectacular trails that crisscross throughout the park and are suitable for day hikes or multi-day backpacking excursions. Specially designated trails are available for ATVs, mountain bikes and horseback.
