Chugach National Forest
Trails
Resurrection Pass Trail
At nearly 40 miles long, the Resurrection Pass Trail is one of the Eastern Kenai’s most popular trails. It has been designated as a National Recreation Trail. This status recognizes the trail as an important connection between people, local resources, and quality of life. Eight rental cabins lie along the trail. While they are primitive—with
no electricity or running water—they are mighty inviting on a multiple-day hike. Book early because they are very popular. There are
plenty of campsites along the trail if you’re unable to reserve a cabin. If 40 miles is just not enough hiking, you can combine this trail with the Russian Lakes Trail (for a nearly 60-mile hike.) Don’t worry, if you are only looking for a short hike there are plenty of spots on the trail that you can hike to
and back out in a day.
Hike the Iditarod Trail
Lower Winner Creek Trail connecting Girdwood's
Alyeska Resort with Crow Creek Road—3 miles
Upper Winner Creek Trail connecting Lower Winner Creek with the Berry Pass area—over 6 miles Johnson Pass Trail on the Kenai Peninsula—over 30 miles For more information about hiking the Iditarod National Historic Trail, contact the Glacier Ranger District at (907)
783-3242 or the Seward Ranger District at (907) 224-3374.
For more information regarding the history of the
Iditarod National Historic Trail visit
Additional Trails
Kenai Peninsula Trails
Carter Lake 3.5 miles
Crescent Creek 6.4 miles
Devil's Pass 10 miles
Grayling Lake 1.5 miles
Gull Rock 5.1 miles
Hope Point 2.5 miles
Johnson Pass 23 miles
Lost Lake 7.5 miles
Primrose 7.5 miles
Ptarmigan Creek 7.1 miles
Rainbow Lake .24 miles
Resurrection Pass 38.2 miles
Resurrection River 16 miles
Russian Lakes 21.7 miles
Victor Creek 2.1 miles
Girdwood/Portage Trails
Crow Pass 4 miles
Upper Winner Creek 9 miles
Winner Creek Gorge 3.5 miles
Byron Glacier .8 mile
GaryWilliams Nature .15 mile
Portage Pass 1 mile
Williwaw Nature .5 mile
Copper River Delta Trails
Crater Lake 2.6 miles
Eyak River 3.3 miles
Haystack .8 mile
McKinley Lake 2.7 miles
Pipeline Lakes 1.8 miles
Power Creek 4.5 miles
Saddlebag Glacier 3.1 miles
Sheridan Mountain 2.8 miles
Gull Rock Trail: Access from northwest end of Porcupine Campground west
of Hope. Suitable for family outings and day hikes, this trail is easy if a little long for youngsters—10 miles roundtrip. The trail parallels Turnagain Arm and on a clear day the view is spectacular. At the end, Gull Rock protrudes into the water
providing the perfect picnic spot.
Winner Creek Trail: Access from Crow Creek Mine Road or near the ticket office at the Alyeska Prince Hotel. This 3.5-mile hike is a great hike for everybody. The trail is wide and the gravel and boardwalk make for a fairly level walking surface.
The adventurous will love the self-operated tram ride that takes you across the gorge. In the fall, it is a great blueberry picking spot. For those looking for a longer hike or overnight camp, you can hook on to the Upper Winner Creek Trail.
Power Creek Trail: Access from Power Creek Road, 6.9 miles from Cordova. The hike is 4.5 miles one way. You will pass numerous waterfalls, several beaver ponds, and a hanging glacier as you travel. The panoramic view from
Power Creek Cabin (see page 16 for cabin rental information) is extraordinary.
Located in Southcentral Alaska, this is America's most northerly national forest. This stunning landscape stretches from the sea to snowy peaks in an area the size
of New Hampshire. It is one of the few places where glaciers are still carving valleys from the rock of the earth.
One third of the Chugach is bare rock and ice. The remainder is a diverse and majestic tapestry of land, water, plants, and animals. In fact, diversity is what makes the Chugach unique among national forests. The mountains and glacial rivers of the Kenai Peninsula, the fiords and glaciers of Prince William Sound, and the emerald wetlands and jagged peaks of the Copper River Delta are all a mecca for adventurers and nature enthusiasts the world over.
More than 200 miles of forest trails provide pathways to enjoyable and scenic places for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog mushing and snowmobiling. Snowmobiles are permitted on some trails during designated winter periods. Many visitors stay in public use cabins along the trails. Most of the Forest's hiking trails are found on the Kenai Peninsula. The longest is the Resurrection trail system.
Eastern Kanai Peninsula
The Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National
Forest is best known for its spectacular recreational opportunities. Its forested lands, mountains, and rivers are just minutes south of Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. The peninsula is a haven for visitors and residents alike. A
hiker’s paradise, it boasts hundreds of miles of maintained
trails. For the fisherman, numerous opportunities exist to
reel in “the big one.” So head south to experience one of
the forest’s most accessible treasures.
Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is an area of forested lands, more
than 3,500 miles of intricate coastline, tidewater glaciers,
and bountiful marine life. The beguiling blue water is an
open invitation to boaters and kayakers to explore this
remote land. Nearly two million acres in western Prince
William Sound has been designated as the Nellie Juan-
College Fiord Wilderness Study Area to preserve its
unique wilderness character. Immense icefields surround this inland waterway and give rise to magnificent tidewater glaciers that tumble into the sea. Icebergs and post-glacial terrain are hallmarks of the landscape, offering a unique glimpse of geology and postglacial reforestation in action.
Copper River Delta
The Copper River Delta is renowned for its vast wetland
habitats, mountains, and glaciers. Access to the
Delta from other parts of the state are by boat, ferry, or
plane only. This area is managed for the conservation
of fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the animals
have definitely gotten the word. Cordova’s Copper
River kings and reds are some of the world’s finest
salmon and an important commercial and personal
fishery. Birds flock here to take advantage of lands set
aside as nesting grounds and as a refueling and resting
stop on their way through the North American flyway.
Cabins
Just a 30-minute flight from Cordova and nestled on
the beach are several rental cabins. The cabins do
not have electricity or running water, but if roughing
it doesn’t bother you, check them out. Try your hand
at beachcombing for glass balls, wild berry picking,
digging razor clams, or fishing.
Trail River Campground
The newly reconstructed and expanded Trail River
Campground is the largest campground on the Chugach
National Forest. The campground is located on the sunny
shore of Kenai Lake at Mile 24 of the Seward Highway.
The campground is open on a first come first served basis
throughout the snow-free season. During the winter, it is
popular with cross-country skiers. Please call the Seward
Ranger District at (907) 224-3374 for more information.
The campground features include: 88 individual camping
units ($11/night), including walk-in tent sites and 1 reservable
group site that accommodates up to 70 people
($130/night); and day use picnic sites. Nearby hiking trails
include Ptarmigan Lake Trail, Primrose Trail, Johnson
Pass Trail, and Carter Lake Trail.
Reservations are accepted up to a year in advance at
www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777
CAMPGROUND REGULATIONS
STORE all foods, beverages, garbage, pet food,
cooking or food storage equipment in a vehicle,
food locker, or camper.
FIRES are allowed only in established grates.
Cutting live vegetation or standing deadwood is
prohibited. Help protect forest resources by
gathering only dead or down wood.
PETS must be on a leash at all times. Please
dispose of feces in garbage cans. Secure pet
food inside a vehicle.
DO NOT FEED any wild animal, even birds.
Copyright© 2009. Campingpet.com Campingpet Adventure Club. All Rights Reserved.
Kayaking in the Sound
Enjoy the sound of your paddles dipping into the water as you glide across the waters of Prince William Sound. Kayaking is a wonderful opportunity to be on the water and access remote campsites, but you must take the time to educate yourself and your group. Review tide, bear, and water safety information before heading out. These sites are remote and help is far away. For more information, stop by the Forest Service information yurt
in Whittier, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in Portage Valley, or the Glacier Ranger District office in Girdwood. Permits are not required for general camping and travel in the Sound. All campsites are primitive. Whenever possible, contain your camping activities on beach gravel surfaces. Always “naturalize” your campsite before you leave: clean up any bits of garbage, dismantle fire rings,
and replace moved rocks or other materials. Two primitive campsites in Blackstone Bay have been hardened to provide additional durable gravel camping surfaces.Kayaking in the Sound
Camping
KENAI PENINSULA
Cooper Creek
Crescent Creek
Porcupine
Primrose
Ptarmigan Creek
Quartz Creek
Russian River
Tenderfoot Creek
Trail River
PORTAGE/TURNAGAIN PASS
Bertha
Black Bear
Granite Creek
Williwaw
COPPER RIVER DELTA
Childs Glacier
Childs Glacier (basic tent only)
The Chugach National Forest is bear country.
It is your responsibility to BE BEAR AWARE!
- Watch for signs of bears such as tracks and scat.
- Make noise to avoid surprising bears in the area.
- Travel in groups. Groups are noisier and easier for bears to detect and avoid.
- Never approach a bear. This aggressive behavior on your part forces a bear to react. Harassing bears is illegal and very dangerous.
- Dogs can increase your risk of a serious bear encounter. Consider leaving them at home, or use a restraint.
- Store food, trash, and personal hygiene products by
- hanging them from trees or by using bear-resistant food containers. Never store them in your tent.
- Cook and store food at least 100 yards from your tent.
