Whether youre looking for the best trails in kenai fjords national park or around anchorage, juneau or fairbanks weve got you. The knobstone trail kt is indianas longest footpath a 60mile backcountryhiking trail passing through clark state forest, elk creek public fishing area, and jacksonwashington state forest. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Starting flat, it heads into the heart of the central cascades on an old road for four miles, where it then crosses an impressive old avalanche path before heading straight uphill to remote alaska lake.
At just over 9 miles, triple lakes is the longest trail. However, the nature of denalis park road and bus system, and the terrain itself, can make trailless hiking more approachable than it may seem at first blush. From 189798, the klondike gold rush transformed a traditional trade route into highway. The popular day hiking series adds another 100 hikesthis time in alaska. A guide to alaskas greatest hiking adventures state hiking guides series. Find the top rated hiking trails in alaska, whether youre looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, youll find what youre looking for. There are 50 hikes in this book and it is geared to both day and overnight hikers.
A trail profile illustrates the changes in elevation along the trail. Guides provide access, difficulty, length, and use information. Thousands of men, women, and children completed the journey from dyea, alaska to lake bennett, british columbia. There is a chart in front that is very handy for helping you to narrow your. Oct 10, 2010 a similar map and trail description is available in lps alaska guidebook, published in april, 2009. The book has 100 entries, although there are actually more hikes than that since some of the routes offer two or more options at the trailhead. Following in the footsteps of a family of four that treks along alaskas coastlines. The 50 day hikes and 15 backpacking trips covered in the denali national park alaska guide to hiking, photography and camping represent only a few of the possibilities. But hiking the trail is a great way to check out the forest and enjoy the water.
Here you have 51 of the best hiking books you can find. Feb 14, 2017 the idea of a transalaska trail is compelling because it has the potential to marry two different sectors of the economy that are at the core of what alaska is. The idea of hiking in the wilderness, with no trail to follow, excites some hikers and confuses or intimidates others. Best books on alaska score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Try a multiday, supported bike ride along some of alaskas most scenic settings or rent a bike for an afternoon city tour. Explore the chilkoot trail klondike gold rush national. Aug 14, 2017 before i even started reading about the mechanics of hiking alaska, i was hooked. Where many books rely upon the storytellers subjective impression to. Older books might have referred to this as the old johnson trail, but another. Gold creek alaska lake washington trails association. Hike the stampede trail to the magic bus, stampede trail, ak. But you dont have to go far to get a taste of alaskas beauty.
The lofty elevation, much of it at nearly 4,000 feet, affords aweinspiring views. The most famous trail in the north this popular guide describes the history of the famous chilkoot trail, called the meanest 32 miles in history, and details equipment to take, trail etiquette, and milebymile trail information for hikers. Biking tours in alaska let you see the state at your own pace. You can start hiking the trail from the ranger station or the trailhead in halibut cove lagoon. Hiking in juneau a guide to alaskas best hiking trails abak. Review, plan and study backpacking trails in alaska by the backpacker editors. Outside in the interior is a nice compilation of trails of various kinds in interior alaska. Hiking alaska hiking and backpacking in the last frontier. These state resource properties contain more than 42,000 acres of rugged, forested land in clark, scott and washington counties in southern indiana. Day hiking southcentral alaska glacier city gazette. Shop for washington and oregon hiking guidebooks at rei free shipping on all orders.
Shop for books and maps at rei free shipping on all orders. Pinnell mountain trail alaska, usa, 1998 the hiking life. The hikes and descriptions are actually good, but the illustration frustrating, confusing and annoying. Juneau boasts more than 250 miles of hiking trails, so there are plenty of opportunities for hikers of all skill levels to get up close and personal with the areas mountains, forests, meadows, and mining ruins. The author has truly captured the essense of hiking out in the alaska booneys. Yellowstone, glacier, zion, the sierras, hot springs of the pnw hiking alaska lives up to the high standard of these great guidebooks. Apr 22, 2016 15 incredible hikes under 5 miles everyone in alaska should take. Hiking the trail was the best decision we made and. Beginning in a subdivision across the matanuska river from palmer, this nearly 6milelong trail runs up some 5,700 vertical feet. Alaska trail guides provides allinclusive, high quality, small group biking tours based out of anchorage, alaska. As they do, they pass hundreds of artifacts left behind by gold seekers. If you plan on hiking between june 1 and the first week of september.
It was recently updated and expanded, with new trails added. One of a few trails around savage river, this loop travels alongside its namesake river for a total distance of 2 miles. A comforting aspect of hiking alaska is the truly comprehensive, practical nature of information. This denali guidebook is based on over 30 years of experience hiking and photographing in denali.
Chugach guides alaska offers a variety of day hikes in chugach state park just. A falcon guide, 2nd edition by dean littlepage falcon publishing, inc. I own at least 30 falcon guide books for all my favorite hiking locations. Trail maps and guides explore a state park trail system with the interactive alaska mapper state parks and trails. Find the best trails in alaska with backpackers definitive hiking guide to americas final frontier. Hiking alaska gives the reader a clear expectation of the trail and a bit of. As a locally owned, small business we know the perfect trails to match your abilities and showcase the best of anchorage and beyond. The most popular trails are harding icefield, resurrection pass and crow pass. If you are going to explore denalis trails on your own, take advantage of an assortment of online trail guides and resources. This guide gives you the best, plus gear and travel.
The stampede trail might not be the most scenic trail in alaska but it is where the legendary bus 142 aka the magic bus from into the wild is located. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from june until august. A similar map and trail description is available in lps alaska guidebook, published in april, 2009. While the trail near gold creek pond is a great spot for hikers of all ages, the trail back towards alaska lake is a more rugged experience. This guide does a great job outlining the length, intensity, and history of several trails around juneau, including mount roberts trail, mount juneau trail, basin road, and mendenhall glacier. With one hundred hikes concisely described and offering information for further. This guide does a great job outlining the length, intensity, and history of several trails around juneau, including mount roberts trail, mount juneau trail, basin road, and mendenhall glacier know the area.
Most of the dayhikes can also be extended into backpacking trips. Denali park hiking trails the best trails in denali for. Jan 26, 2018 the name yukon trail conjures images of a rugged, pristine vastness deep in the wilderness along the border between alaska and the mountains of western canada. Probably the second most traveled trail in the park, this trail offers a great day hike for those spending time in the lagoon. It combines the best of rugged gold mining and native history with spectacular country in coastal mountain ranges, crossing the international border between. Then, the trail moderates and emerges from the forest to a grand view of the nenana river and the alaska range looking south toward windy pass. The most popular trails are chena dome, summit trail and angel rocks.
Whether youre looking for the best trails in kenai fjords national park or around anchorage. The complete guide to mount rainiers premier trail. The trail traverses up numerous switchbacks to a place called first lake. A guide to alaskas greatest hiking adventures state hiking guides series littlepage, dean on. No official trail in southcentral alaska climbs as high as matanuska peak trail. Each year, over 10,000 people day hike, backpack, or trail run this corridor. A great mix of interesting hiking trails for anchorage residents and visitors headed for chugach state park. The 6 best day hikes in southcentral alaska moon travel guides. The trail descriptions are spot on and the elevation profile is crucial for planning purposes. It must be booked in advance via parks canada, and then picked up in person at the trail center in skagway, before departure. Includes trail notes, maps, gps coordinates, photos and user comments for each trail. See the bureau of land management website for both a downloadable trail map and general information about the route. The newest falcon guides resource for hoofing it around the 49th state is pretty, chockfull of information, and, perhaps most important, is written by a real, live alaskan. The fairbanks area hiking club is all about the trails, and there are literally thousands of options for exploring alaska on foot.
Trail maps and guides alaska department of natural resources. This is a great place to start when looking for ways. It is useful for finding hiking trail based on location, quality, elevation, length or features such as waterfalls. This is probaly the best hiking book of any such types. For the shear number of hikes, including their associated elevation grids, it cant be beat. The options cover just about every possible situation you might want, from wellestablished urban trails to trailfree rambles across arctic. Longdistance trails in the united states wikipedia. National geographic maps makes the worlds best wall maps, recreation maps, travel maps, atlases and globes for people to explore and understand the world. This is one of the worst illustrated hiking books i ever saw. Hiking in juneau a guide to alaskas best hiking trails. Also included are hikes for all ages and abilities as well as maps for each hike and fullcolor color photos.
Anchorage parks and trails heres where to go hiking in. Customizable guided trips allow you to choose your level of intensity or combine different activities into one memorable trip. Official state of alaska vacation and travel information. Hiking alaska also has a trail map which shows major roads, trailheads, and the route of the hiking trail. Alaska hiking and backpacking trails explore alaska hikes. There are some pictures in this trail book and the material is decent with data on trail difficulty, length, elevations, and special features and attractions. On a hot summer day, a soak in this lake cant be beat. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust.
Just minutes from anchorage lie dozens of worldclass hiking and paddling trips. The terrain and vegetation offer many hiking opportunities in denali national park. This is alaskas most visited peak, offering a scenic overlook of anchorage and cook inlet, as well as views of the surrounding chugach mountains. A guide to alaska s greatest hiking adventures state hiking guides series littlepage, dean on. Denali national park alaska guide to hiking, photography, and camping, 4th edition. Part of the fifty places series, this book tackles the worlds fifty best hiking destinations, from the gorilla forests in rwanda to italys amalfi coast and mountains in tibet. A trail description and image describes the character, special features of the trail, and safety considerations. The trail climbs steeply, and crosses the alaska railroad tracks. Day hiking southcentral alaska, the new book by lisa maloney published by nonprofit mountaineers books gives hikers of all levels a useful. More than 47 miles of hiking trails, some trailtorail and old logging roads, make the dolly sods wilderness area a fascinating place for hiking. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. Hikes in denali national park are some of the best in alaska, but they are largely trailless with no multiday hikes on trails.
Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. Try a multiday, supported bike ride along some of alaskas most scenic settings or rent a bike. Hiking trails near alaska hiking project hiking trail maps. The 10 best alaska hiking trails with photos tripadvisor. The pages seem to be made of a light density papyprus product. To really experience alaska, its best to get out and explore it on foot. An adventure guide for central alaska, second edition by kyle joly published 2016 isbn 1602232806 outside in the interior is a nice compilation of trails of various kinds in interior alaska. Guides cover about 23 trails and include recommended season, length, elevation gain, difficulty, special uses, short descriptions of trail conditions and advice on use. Your destination is the 6,119foot summit of matanuska peak, the very prominent rock spire that fills the sky just east of palmer. Stay tuned for updates on the transalaska trail from backpacker on the web, in the magazine, and fingers crossed on the trail soon. Alaska state parks trail guides provide a variety of information about a particular trail or trails. When you live in the largest and most undeveloped state in the nation, its kind of a given that you would have the most awesome outdoor playground in the world. Hiking is an inherently dangerous activity, and alaska is an inherently dangerous place. You can begin hiking at mile 231 parks highway, on the west side of the road, where there is a small pullout for parking.