Anchorage: Best Nearby Overnight Hikes
Eagle River Nature Trail: The first part of Crow Pass is great for an overnight hike as well. This starts at the Eagle River Nature center (about 20 minutes from Anchorage) and heads up a valley in Chugach National Park. To us, it looks like a miniature Yosemite with its big trees, lovely river, and steep cliffs rising on both sides. But unlike Yosemite there is no road going up the middle of it, just a trail (and bears – bring bear spray.) For an easy overnight there’s also two simple yurts you can rent (the better, we think, being the rapids campground yurt) that are just a few miles in but lovely.
Eagle River Nature Center
Crow Pass: Some of our friends favorite local backpack. This is a 26 mile hike that is run as a race every summer. But it is beautiful- and crosses a lot of different terrain. You start on one side of Anchorage and finish on the other basically a ridge or two behind the city.
Because of its proximity (though you’d never know once you were there) this is a good first overnight hike as you can reevaluate your gear and reequip before heading out again. Also, there is a hut at the top that can be reserved as well as a yurt near the end if you wanted to make it a two night thing. Note: Depending on snow conditions there might be a mile of snow at the top as late as early June. Check around before going. Also note: depending on conditions, there is a tricky stream crossing (crow creek). Read up on how to cross fast-cold streams before heading out.
Resurrection Pass (2 to 5 nights): Famous and popular Kenai peninsula trail, this has the advantage of crossing the road in several places, allowing you do to do different lenghts. Some parts, especially, the southern portion, are more brushy and less well maintained.
Johnson Pass (1 to 2 nights): A lovely 26 mile hike along a Kenai penninsula pass. We haven’t done the whole thing but the parts we have done are flatter than some other hikes in the area. Popular with mountain bikers but not especially crowded,especially mid-week. Starts and ends at different points on the Seward Highway. Need to think through a shuttle system or plan to hitchhike.
Lost Lakes (1 night): A pretty mild hike leads up a valley to an alpine area with lots of little lakes and a great cabin (Note: Book the cabin far in advance as it fills up.) One cool feature is that the trailhead is near enough to Seward that when you’re done you can call a cab and asked to be taken to the train station and take the train back to Anchorage.
