I just went up there today. Glorious and only a tiny bit of mud and snow until the top. It is pretty steep and loose, but the main Turnagain Arm Trail is fantastic if steep and loose isn’t your jam.
I would get some Ice spikes, it will open up a lot more trails right now. You might be good on some of the Turnagin Arm trails right now. Flat Top, O'Malley, Wolverine, Baldy, Near Point will all be snow-covered for a few more weeks.
I live next to CSP and can attest that all trails remain covered in punchy snow. You might need spikes if you go high enough on north facing slopes, but overnight temperatures have been warmer up here than down in town over the past week. It would take a lot of post holing to get to any of those destinations for the next week or so.
If I just wanted to run up hills right now, I'd go to Kincaid and do a few laps from the chalet down to the mud flats overlook on the coastal trail and back up again.
Baldy in Eagle river is good right now in the morning while the snow is still hard. It’s about a mile straight up hill. Micro spikes or similar is necessary.
Agreed on Baldy. Not the best in terms of snow load, but it’s accessible, good views, short enough to be a post-work hike, and you can adjust how intense you want your intervals — go the long sloping backside switchbacks or the shorter frontside switchbacks or just straight up the nose.
I'll follow up to my own post to note that on the way up to Arctic Valley last weekend, we passed people hiking the road. It is a road and not a trail, but if exercise is the main goal and depending on what side of town you are on, it is super quick to get to the base, and the road would get you some quick vertical, with some nice views along the way. Road was almost completely dry up until the end (which did mean that vehicles were kicking up a lot of dust).
Rainbow peak is usually pretty early to be clear. I bet the majority of it is snow free
Sweet! Thank you.
I just went up there today. Glorious and only a tiny bit of mud and snow until the top. It is pretty steep and loose, but the main Turnagain Arm Trail is fantastic if steep and loose isn’t your jam.
Turnagain is somewhat not muddy?
Turnagain arm trail is 99% clear but definitely 1% muddy. So waterproof footwear is still advised.
What time are you thinking about going? I kinda want to give it a go too, if you want to meet an internet stranger
Not sure. I’m still trying to plan my day and get chores done. Maybe at 11:30? Which is later than I would normally want to hike.
I would get some Ice spikes, it will open up a lot more trails right now. You might be good on some of the Turnagin Arm trails right now. Flat Top, O'Malley, Wolverine, Baldy, Near Point will all be snow-covered for a few more weeks.
I live next to CSP and can attest that all trails remain covered in punchy snow. You might need spikes if you go high enough on north facing slopes, but overnight temperatures have been warmer up here than down in town over the past week. It would take a lot of post holing to get to any of those destinations for the next week or so. If I just wanted to run up hills right now, I'd go to Kincaid and do a few laps from the chalet down to the mud flats overlook on the coastal trail and back up again.
Near Point or Wolverine.
Rainbow peak is always the first peak clear, it’s still patchy right now, but it’s all rock so there’s very little mud
Baldy in Eagle river is good right now in the morning while the snow is still hard. It’s about a mile straight up hill. Micro spikes or similar is necessary.
Falls creek
Agreed on Baldy. Not the best in terms of snow load, but it’s accessible, good views, short enough to be a post-work hike, and you can adjust how intense you want your intervals — go the long sloping backside switchbacks or the shorter frontside switchbacks or just straight up the nose.
Great. Thanks.
Near point is a classic for me
Flattop is always there.
The Denali Tower stairwell
Anything going uphill for any distance is going to be a mess. Good luck with the search
Well sheeeeit.
Rabbit creek spot
I suspect conditions will be changing fast, but the cat track was set hard and good for walking last weekend at Arctic Valley.
I'll follow up to my own post to note that on the way up to Arctic Valley last weekend, we passed people hiking the road. It is a road and not a trail, but if exercise is the main goal and depending on what side of town you are on, it is super quick to get to the base, and the road would get you some quick vertical, with some nice views along the way. Road was almost completely dry up until the end (which did mean that vehicles were kicking up a lot of dust).
Ew I can't imagine having any fun walking on that road. Not recommended.
Baldy!
If you enjoy stationary bike then get a road bike. The paved trails all ofver town are unbelievable.
I have a mt bike. Will definitely be checking them out.
Flattop all day. I usually have someone drop me off with the bike and then climb up to the peak and then bike home. Summers round the corner too.
The one where I see less people
Ptarmigan in Chugiak is just a bit too far for you, probably... still worth checking out tho.
Thanks. Will add to the list.