The Resorts shares its backyard with the Chugach National Forest, which is the world’s northern-most temperate rainforest. So it shouldn’t surprise you that both Alyeska and the Chugach National Forest share a labor of love in making the trail systems sustainable and accessible.

Local facts: Located in Girdwood, Alaska – Alyeska Resort is approximately 50 miles south from Anchorage. Part of the Chugach mountain range Mt.Alyeska is the biggest ski mountain in the state of Alaska. The ski area was founded in 1954, and its first chair lift and day lodge were opened in 1959. Today, remains a popular destination and Alyeska operates six chair lifts and a the Alyeska tramway, which is a high-speed tram located on the North Face.

All of us here at Alaska HDTV are fans of Mt.Alyeska! The resort brings it all together a perfect mix of rustic atmosphere with a topping of four start treatment. It’s a heck of a playground just minutes from Anchorage, and I’m hoping they’ll have us back for some winter adventures to share!

Thanks to:
Alyeska Resort
Chugach National Forest

Previous Alyeska Episode:
Alyeska Resort Hike for Kids!

Thanks for watching the show!
Scott

Hiking in Alaska can sometimes be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. This early spring hike was a mix of snowy trails, mud, rocks, dust and lots of high winds. Getting out and summiting a local hill can still be a great time, despite the spring conditions.

On this hike, we’re just 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage on a very popular local mountain known as Flattop. During the summer months, this 1.5 mile (one way) hike is often busy with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, families and even tourists.

The appeal of Flattop is its close proximity to town and the amazing view you get at the top. While it is an easy hike for the first half, I would highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots for the upper portions of the hike. Once you get past the saddle portion of the hike, the terrain becomes very rocky and eventually becomes a bit more like mountain climbing than hiking.

No matter your ability, Flattop is a great place to get out and gain some elevation for some spectacular views. So, without further adieu – enjoy the show!

Resources:

• Flattop Mountain Shuttle
  Roundtrip from downtown Anchorage for $22
• Large Map of the Flattop Trail System
  (5.9mb JPG image)

Every once in a while, we see very beautiful spring days like we did on this hike. It’s early in May and we’re heading out for a light hike (or a walk in the park) around Anchorage’s Campbell Tract. This time of year it’s not uncommon to have face to face encounters with bears, so we were definitely on guard!

This hike began at the park entrance to the Far North Bicentennial Park via Abbott Loop Community Park which is right in the heart of Anchorage. From this entrance you can connect with the Campbell Tract trails run by the BLM or Bureau of Land Management. So, that’s a mouthful of parks and acronyms…basically, we’re taking a mild hike inside Anchorage’s “central park” which can be accessed from many points around the city.

Our end goal was the parking area near the BLM Learning Center – where we only two months previously we captured dog teams and mushers passing through. The BLM/Campbell airstrip is the finish line for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod.

The bottom line:
If you’re looking for an easy hike or a really great place to ride your bike, definitely check out these trails!

Download shows:

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More information
BLM Campbell Tract Official Site
Anchorage Municipality Website “Healty parks, healthy people”

Summer is just around the corner, and spring is a great time to begin planning your summer hikes and adventures! Join Scott and his Son Coleson as they introduce hiking at Mount Alyeska located in Girdwood, Alaska. Mt. Alyeska is a popular local mountain offering great summer hikes for everyone at any level. We took the Tram from the Alyeska Prince Hotel and began our hike from the historic resort Roundhouse.

In this episode, Scott takes a short hike up Rainbow Falls trail in Wrangell, Alaska. This trail is not very long, but the temperate rainforest feeling is amazing and you’ll definitely get a little workout on the many wooded steps that take you to the Rainbow Falls waterfall.

Rainbow Falls is part of the SEA (South East Alaska) trails system in Alaska. You can search the trail system here on www.seatrails.org.

Season Greetings,

Welcome to the Winter edition of the Hike of the Week! This hike takes us just outside the city of Anchorage on upper hillside to the Silver Fern Spur Trail. This trail system is your connection to a variety of incredible hikes into the Chugach Park System. Silver Fern Trail is a 1.3 mile trail that connect with Gas Line trail, which if taken will lead you up to Powerline trail, Flattop Mountain and beyond!

We’re taking a short loop today, which totals at 2.6 miles long. To sum up this hike: Close to town, scenic, not strenuous, but has potential if hiked at a faster pace, and never very crowded!

Music from today’s show:
Jack Erdie
“Winter Wildflowers”
www.jackerdie.com

Making travel plans for Alaska?
If you’re interested in visiting Wrangell or taking an Alaska adventure of your own, be sure to contact our friends at Explore Tours and let them know that Alaska HDTV sent you!

Visit our local Apple Specialist
We’re powered by MacHaus, which are Alaska HDTV’s trusted Alaska Apple Specialist and local Apple store. Special thanks to Ben for providing us with some great Apple technology! If you’re in Alaska, be sure to visit MacHaus in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Wasilla.

Happy Hiking!
Scott

Greetings Everyone!

A few weeks ago I was invited to come see Kodiak again by Scott McMurren, this time we had much better weather conditions than our previous Kodiak adventures last year. I like to think of Kodiak as Alaska’s secret playground! There is only a hundred miles of highway on the island, but triple that for the sea and land trail systems!

I’m kicking off my series of Kodiak shows with a Hike of the Week joined by Marion Owen, a good friend, and a friend of the show!

Fort Abercrombie is indeed a place on Kodiak I could literally get lost in weekly if I lived on the island. The trail system is maintained, and bear activity is low to zero on this part of the island – still good to keep your wits about you though.

Naturally we all know weather varies on Kodiak, and while non-rain day is always good for hiking, rainy days in Fort Abercrombie are not much of a problem since trails are mostly sheltered by a large temperate rainforest canopy. Depending on the weather you could get away with tennis shoes, or light hiking shoes. This is one hike I don’t care seeing the end of the trail, and once you go… you’ll completely understand!

A little about Marion Owen
Marion and her husband Marty hosted us during our stay at their Galley Gourmet’s Cliff House B&B, which overlooking the entrance channel to Kodiak’s largest boat harbor. If you’re visiting Kodiak and you get a chance to stay at their B&B, tell them I said “Hi!” Marion is a total evangelist for Kodiak Island, and there probably isn’t a corner of that island she doesn’t know! She’ll be happy to point you in the right direction and always good for recommendations!

Marion also Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, and a serious gardener whom knows her organics. You’ll get more of this geeky side of her at her website www.plantea.com. On a closing note… If you’ve never put a dash of Cardamom in your Coffee while it brews TRY IT! I’m hooked!

This past weekend I while producing our next two shows we shot in Kennicott and Wrangell-St.Elias, I reached a point of needing fresh air! I had the right hike in mind! Unfortunately, the Hatcher Pass road over to Summit Lake was still closed, which is usually open early June. Spring is still coming to most areas above 2000 feet, so it’s something you’ll need to consider if you’re hiking this weekend.

Now on with the Hike!

As an alternative hike and there’s plenty to be had in Hatcher Pass, I decided to take a hike up in an area that I’ve not visited in well over 15 years! Like I said in the video, most people stop at the top of the first hill, which is great because it’s obtainable for anyone! Venturing further back should be nothing to fear at all… It’s all very easy and flat. Those of you in shape, you’ll be tempted as I was to spend the day exploring the higher ridges and peaks!

There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to return this summer again, and probably make a camping an overnight out of the adventure. Care to join?!

View Larger Map

Park Fee: Free Parking (before the park fee entrance)

Hiking Time: Open to your pace and choice destination.
Elevation: Starting 3110 feet to Summit 4038 feet

That’s a Hike!

Question for the Hike of the Week viewers:
How many of you would enjoy doing a monthly meetup hike? I’m also considering potential 2 day trip I have in mind. Let me know!

Join Scott as he adventures really close to home – along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, Alaska. If you’re looking for a quick getaway during the day, the coastal trail provides miles of great scenery, people and wildlife.

During this hike we encountered two young bull moose in Kincaid park that were just a few feet off the trail. The curious one of the two eventually meandered across the trail as a family and several others looked on. Whether you’re visiting Anchorage or live here, the coastal trail really does offer a great escape from the “city”.

Check out the previous Hike of the Week shows by subscribing to the iTunes feed.

Spring is here and we’re all ready to get out and do some hiking!
There’s still a bit of snow on the ground, but with all the spring sunshine it’ll be gone in a flash. To get in shape, get some elevation under your belt, and finally get some good color on that pasty white skin check out this hike!

Archangel Valley road is closed to vehicles until summer, but for now it’s a groomed hard packed snow trail perfect for skiers, snow machines, and hikers! We’re coming back this summer to do some serious hikes, and the Reed Lakes hike is top of the list! We’ll be overnighting there with a run up to bomber glacier. Can’t wait!

Here’s how to get there from Anchorage:
- Take the Glenn Highway from Anchorage South to Palmer.
- Two miles past the city of Palmer turn left on Palmer-Fishhook Road
- Fishhook Road becomes the Hatcher Pass Road
- Travel on this road even as you enter the park area.
- Hatcher Pass Rd. is about 15 miles from Palmer.

View Larger Map

Park Fee: Free Parking

Hiking Time: Allow 3 hours roundtrip (taking your time..)
Elevation: Starting 2150 feet to Summit 2400 feet

That’s a Hike!
See our other hikes at: www.alaskapodshow.com/hikeoftheweek