Lazy Moose

Easier on the knees but longer switchbacks= LAZY MOOSE TRAIL

Lazy Mountain Trail is one of the steepest trails I climb.  It is an instant calf burner and a great trail for intense incline.  However, to add some variety and easier way to Lazy, the Lazy Moose Trail was added.  I don't know all the history, but it is a nice gem of a trail. To the top it is 3.6 miles if you take the Lazy Moose one way.

To get to the trailhead:  From Palmer, go east on the Old Glenn Highway 2.5 miles, take a left on Clark-Wolverine Road. Proceed ½ mile to a T intersection. Take a right on Huntley Road, follow it to the end, take a right to the Lazy Mountain Recreation Area and trailhead. There is a outhouse and a fee $5 per day or you can get the yearly pass for $40

You start up the "Lazy Mountain Trailhead" arch and cross a short wooden bridge over a creek.  Take a few erosion proof steps and as it heads up the mountain you will see a clearly marked sign that says "Lazy Moose Trailhead" take a right and enjoy a leisurely way up the mountain.

As the trail meanders, you will see the nice posted signs of the feet.  It is not an elevation sign, but you will see progress.  There are two little benches which offer a stunning view of the Matanuska River and Butte.  You can also see the Knik Glacier on a clear day as well.  In the winter or night time, you can see the lights from the Glenn Hwy crossing the Knik River Bridge.

When you get to the end of the trail it intersects with the Main Lazy Mountain Trailhead.  If you want to continue to the summit turn right and Up.  If you want a little break turn left and a few feet you will reach the Picnic Table.




THE LAZY MOOSE ALBUM WITH TRAIL MARKER

The map below, you can see the zig zag switchbacks that make up the Lazy Moose trail.  Our distance and time is from hiking up the Lazy Mountain trail to the summit and then we took the Lazy Moose to run down.

Pioneer Peak 2016

this is on the south peak, with our backs against a little edge and thankful for a moment of peace/view

What an amazing day we had up Pioneer Peak (the south one).  Our friend, Stephen was about to leave, so we hiked it earlier than we normally do.  But, I liked it better.  The trail was not as overgrown.

You can see the places we hiked by clicking here.  My phone died, so the trail says 5 hours 35, but actually, it took us 8 1/2 hours.  We did a bit longer because of avoiding some snow patches.




The trail is fun and climbs, and climbs.  At the ridge, you still climb but about 1 hour of steep incline, we did get a breather and AMAZING VIEWS.
The trail earlier on can be muddy, but we only had a few shimmies around some muddier sections.

This is my second summit. It is high and has some epic steps that you must take, but it is worth it.  I spent four times not brave enough to go father.  I am thankful for a husband who coaches me and allows me to stop if I feel unsure.  I really recommend taking someone who has done it before when hiking this mountain (if at all possible).  However, a few tips.

1) Most dogs have trouble at the top because of the various "sheep trails" that lead to shale slides. Don't take dogs :)
2) Stay to the top of the ridge or to the right unless it is clearly goes left.  Many, Many, trails lead off to the left tends to end into dangerous sections.  Try to keep at the top of the ridge.

needed all the layers at the top, we even had a dusting of snow flurries

Newlyweds Annie and Stephen at the summit!

Rodgers Lake Trail at Knik River Lodge

Length:  1.57 miles to the lake

Time:  It took us 2 hour 11 minutes round trip.  

A short 11 miles towards Knik Glacier, the gracious host at Knik River Lodge would love guest to come and enjoy this clearly marked trail.

Finding the Trailhead:  After parking, walk quietly through the private cabins that will most likely have guest to a newly build retaining wall.

Turn right and walk along the wall toward the mountain and come to a nice trail marker sign.

Pro's:  The trail is clearly marked.  There are opportunities to be deceived by game trails that go over the trail, but the nice stakes with orange and orange electrical tape is clearly marked every few 50 feet to make sure you keep your eyes on the trail.  

Nice rope to cross a creek and to have a hand hold up a steep gorge.  

A few great vistas for great overlook of the valley.

Perfect Lake to cool off at the end.  

Con's:  It soon can be overgrown because of the terrain. So, would recommend it for spring/fall hiking.  

Poles would be helpful for those timid of the steep sections coming up or down.  

Fun trip

Name:		Rodgers Lake Trail
Date:		Apr 17, 2016 2:56 pm
Map: (valid until Oct 14, 2016)		View on Map
Distance:		3.14 miles
Elapsed Time:		2:12:06
Avg Speed:		1.4 mph
Max Speed:		7.3 mph
Avg Pace:		42' 07" per mile
Min Altitude:		330 ft
Max Altitude:		717 ft
Start Time:		2016-04-17T22:56:01Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	61º 26' 02" N
	Longitude:	148º 45' 57" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	61º 26' 00" N
	Longitude:	148º 45' 50" W

Beach Lake, Birchwood

Finding this trail in December 2015 on a blog, I finally tried it with a few friends.  And it worked.  It was a nice easy flat hike with amazing views.  We even saw Denali!


Directions from Palmer, AK.  Take the South Birchwood Loop Exit from the Glenn Highway. Turn right pass the Chugach High School.   After a chalet on your left, take a left onto Beach Lake Road and follow it over railroad tracks to the where it ends at a large parking lot. There is NO FEE, and restrooms (thank you).

The trail to the inlet starts to the left of the lake and follows close to the lake weaving in and out of the trees.  It is quite close to the lake at times, so watch your children when it bends back towards the water.

You can go inland away from the Lake and catch the mushing trail that is wider.  At the far end, there is a sign on the ground pointing the way to the inlet.  From this trail, you can take your pick of trails towards the inlet. 

 
Typically, there is a small stream that you can follow towards the beach.



Currently it was frozen with nice mud/icebergs floating in the inlet!

I was thankful a little extra hiking and exploring to the grassy area but was definitely too wet to sit.

 Please bring a change of clothes or something to protect the seats for the ride home.  That mud is soooo fun to play in.

The way back was easy to find a fun for all.


Our stats says 2.20 miles round trip, 238 ascent and 238 decent. We were very casual and took over an hour.

Wishbone Hill

A little hidden gem is Wishbone Hill.  You head Right on Jonesville Road in Sutton, AK.  Then you follow the road to a hard left to Slipper Lake where many RV and trailers with ATV are camped. At .4 mile on Slipper Lake Road (google map point) take a hard right down a road with lots of ATV traffic.  The road is curvy and gravel.  You will pass a large shooting/gravel pit on the right.  Then after the man made large ups and downs (caution go slow or bottom out) at 2.05 mile, park on the right off the main road.  there is a place that heads to more fire pits.  Lock your car and walk across the road to the trail.

There is a little flagging tape on the trees.  It is a trail but to discourage 4 wheelers it is a bit overgrown and NO trailhead marker.  I made a google point here if you want to check your gps/phone.

Then a few hundred of feet you will see the only tricky part.  You will cross a shale/fossil bed up toward the top the trail meanders in the woods.  If you need a break, pick up a rock and look at it.  It is the largest fossil treasure that I have seen.



Through the woods, it was a bit of a scramble at times.




The trail is  clearly marked (in orange tape)  and once on top of the ridge you will head left in the grassy almost prairie like terrain.

You will then go down into a valley with a mysteriously looking large rock shaped like a shoe (only from the top do you see it was a shoe) .  Then back up the hill.


The next section keep heading up but there is many game trails that will lead you in a variety of ways.  Keep hiking up and you will reach a nice overlook that is amazing. Great picnic spot but it can be windy.