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!

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

Hey all,

I love this time of the year because there are so many festivities happening, and spring fever is running high – Iditarod is one event that really gets Alaska fired up! We took a break from Iditarod 2008 last year and have to say it was worth it!

The vibe around Iditarod 2009 was infectious, and couldn’t help notice the huge turnout for this years race. People lined the entire trail from downtown Anchorage to the Campbell Airstrip, that’s 11.2 miles, and all cheering on dog teams and favorite mushers as they kicked off the ceremonial start of the Iditarod!

The Official Restart of the Iditarod in Willow, Alaska was no exception. I’ve been filming this race for 4 years, and places I used hike out to get footage of mushers on the trail alone with their dogs were now lined with spectators! This is good news for the Iditarod, it’s great for the mushers and teams, and overall super to see people out playing and enjoying their backyard.

If you ever have a chance in your life to witness this race, do it!
The ceremonial start takes place downtown Anchorage a day before the official start, which takes place in Willow Alaska. I also encourage anyone to go beyond just the starting of this event and head up the trail to any check point – because it’s out there that you’re incredibly moved by the spirit of this race.

Accommodations up the trail vary from upscale lodges, remote village lodges, to sleeping on a school gym floors -I’ve experienced a variety these and it’s all good! Traveling up the Iditarod trail is an experience you’ll never forget, and a genuine flavor of Alaska that is unequivocal. If you’re seeking your own adventure up the trail – contact me, I’d be happy to help direct you.

Here’s some video from this year’s race, which includes downtown, through Anchorage and out to the official restart. There’s enough depth and drama around the race, so we decided to have some fun and tried to capture the other end of the spectrum – people, dogs, and festivities!

Get official race updates and more at Iditarod Official Website www.iditarod.com

This is just another reason why Alaska in the Winter is just as fun, especially this time of the year!

Enjoy!
Scott

And now for something entirely off the regular beat of hikes, beautiful scenery and the Alaska travel videos. Scott and I were looking for something with a little more motorized energy and dropped by the first RallyCross event of the 2008-2009 winter season. The Arctic Alaska Region of the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) hosts several car racing events throughout the year, but in my opinion, the rally racing is by far the most fun.

Racers lined up before daylight and began working the track and preparing their cars in between hand warming sessions. The ambeint temperature wasn’t necessarily subzero, but the ice fog and light winds made it feel extremely cold. Nevertheless, everyone appeared excited with anticipation for the chance to rally their cars around the track built on an empty lot in downtown Anchorage.

A cadre of cars and racers showed up with their Subarus, BMWs, a Ford Explorer and a really unique Japanese market right hand drive Nissan. Everything from SUVs to Subaru station wagons had their chance to kick up some snow!
Winter in Alaska offers lots more than just cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Traveling to Alaska for winter activities may sound daft, but there are so many things going on – it’s worth a visit.

This February 2009, there will be at least three winter festivals just in the Anchorage area including the infamous Fur Rondy which includes a really cool road race “The Grand Prix”, dog sled races, outhouse races, Running of the Reindeer and loads of other family activities.

Other events include, the Iditarod, WinterFest, World Ice Art Championship, Yukon Quest and many more!

So, without further ado, enjoy the show!

Resources

Alaska SCCA
The Arctic Alaska Region of the SCCA is your grassroots motorsports outlet.

Explore Tours
Make your Alaska travel plans with Explore Tours, they are local experts and encourage you to see Alaska Your Way!

When out and about in Anchorage I never turn down an opportunity to shoot sorry, I mean film wildlife. These two young Bull Moose took curiosity in what I was doing a bit more than I was prepared.

Enjoy! Scott

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

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.

Iditarod coverage 2008 from Anchorage, Alaska. Join us from the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race downtown. Interviews with mushers, dogs, and race fans! Interviews with Senator Lisa Murkowski and Rohn Buser plus footage of Sarah Palin and Mark Begich.

Alaska Running of the Reindeer kicks off it’s first year at Fur Rondy 2008, and we’re there to share it with you all. Enjoy!