bear valley trailhead anchoragebear valley trailhead anchorage

From there take Clarks Road all the way to the end of the road. This past summer and after working with traffic enforcement on improvements, we had one of the best summers yet for co-existence between residents and hikers. I grew up in Alaska and currently live in Anchorage. commented on the wrong one on accident but registered as a Republican huh? Even waiting until 2100 hours on weeknights was sometimes insufficiently lateRead more , Most people I know avoid starting hikes at the Honey Bear parking lot these days. A tentative trial date had been set for June 22, 2020. Bear Valley, I Am so thankful for your persistence and work! The skiing is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow. When we asked about the boulders, he told us I dont know who put them there. When we told the man we were working on a story, he abruptly said I bet youre for trespassing on private property. He then stated he would not be answering any more questions. The park has many trails. After another 0.4 miles (0.6 km) keep left to stay on the Glen Trail. On August 18, 2018 he posted a photo of himself on the Stewart Trail on Instagram wearing a chest-mounted Glock 20. 10/16/2016 admin. The wind howling through the mountains threatened to push our vehicle off of the icy streets, and the windsock at one residents helipad blew parallel to the ground. But while this route adds some thigh-burning it also features more variety than the other routes: it starts in groves of huge cottonwood trees, winds through the brilliantly-colored site of the 2016 McHugh Creek wildfire, and traces the wind-blasted crest of McHughs west ridge to the summit of McHugh Peak. Unless I missed a point- no where in this article does Alaska Landmine mention Private Property ownership Rights As longtime homesteaders of Potter Heights (60+ years) We knew The homesteaders that created Stewart road (the Millers were one) none of them did it to give the public recreational access to their land-Period!- Private property is just that- I stand with Frank Pugh, and other Potter land owners that want their privacy preserved. We had been told that the HOA occasionally plowed snow into the trailhead cul-de-sacs fire truck turnaround to discourage parking by hikers. There is a delightful trail in Meadow Creek valley that leads to the saddle above Mile Hi trailhead, so either route option is easy walking. When it snowed, locals groomed nordic tracks onto the Stewart Trail and taught their children to ski. Yes, Dennis, you and other landowners including the developer of the Southpointe Subdivison, have done your best to shut down access to the ridge between Turnagain Arm and Potter Valley, which extends to the Ruby Peak referenced in the article. Moreover, Pughs gate now blocked access to the original Stewart Homestead land now owned by the Alaska Zoo and Alaska Botanical Garden, as well as large tracts owned by the MOA Heritage Land Bank and the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For more about how the information on this site should be used, please click here. Bear Valley, a neighborhood on the Anchorage Hillside directly south of Flattop Mountain, is serving as a testing ground. Signage on the Stewart Trail posted by Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh, photographed October 14, 2018. The skiing is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow. I was up there in the 60s. Today, the only message at the trailhead kiosk was a computer printout reading THERE IS NO LEGAL PARKING OUTSIDE OF FIVE DESIGNATED SPOTS. The sign went on to inform hikers of overflow parking down the hill outside of the communitys gate, and ended with a strange admonition: DONT BE EVIL.. In winter its unobstructed western face rises up to catch the sunset, glowing a brilliant ruby red long after the big Hillside homes on its lower slopes have slipped into night. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Bear Valley Trailhead is located off of the Pine Valley Rd. Note that in summer 2017 a teenage boy was mauled and killed by a bear during a race on the trail, so do be . On September 17, 2012, Frank Pugh and wife Oksana Pugh purchased a 120-acre lot in upper Potter Valley formerly known as the Earl Hutchings Homestead. The Chriss hadnt met before and occupied opposite sides of the political spectrum, but nothing encourages bipartisanship in Alaska like the prospect of an interesting hike. In fact, it is arguably the most reliable early-season hike in the Chugach, and is often snow-free long before traditional early-season hikes like Bird Ridge or Wolverine. According to his resume Pugh spent two decades working in Louisiana, primarily for Schlumberger, until arriving in Alaska in 2006 to work for BP at Prudhoe Bay. From the trailhead it beelines up the valley, staying a few hundred feet below brush line and only wobbling slightly as it crosses avalanche runouts. Car, train, or group tour. Ill just make a brief comment that if you have to pay to be a part of a society that declares you have high intelligence, well you aint that smart to begin with. Neither Constant nor Birch were impressed. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. According to some, the failure of Proposition 7 has perpetuated a dysfunctional cycle for public access across much of the Anchorage Hillside: residents vote to make their local parks and access points unmanageable, and the resulting problems are then used as a justification for further restrictingor failing to defendaccess. I thought it was a public road. And he said No, its private. The creek is generally low and easy to cross. Arctic Valley; East Anchorage. Later, Pugh recovered the memory cards, identified each of us, and compiled his footage into a video. You should see a Soccer field, Ray Storck Homestead park. There is certainly exposure, and a fall from the summit rock could be severely injurious or fatal. The trail begins about a quarter mile ahead. The brilliant and eccentric couple were passionate about geology, and played a key role in the development of Alaskas jade industry. ", "Trail was steep for the first mile and a little muddy in places. decided to name the peak Mattanaws Peak, Anchorages never-ending crime prevention loop, Order to Stay Away from the Pugh Property., 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart Trail blockader Frank Pugh demands arrest of Landmine team and elected officials, Judge rules that Anchorage's historic Stewart Trail is open to the public, Judge orders Frank Pugh to restore Stewart Trail public access. This expansiveness and proximity to Anchorage make McHugh an excellent choice for easy day trips, afternoon berry-picking jaunts, long ridge walks, and rocky scrambles. There was an audible gasp in the room. Bear Valley Hike is a Hiking area located at 10471 Honey Bear Ln, Bear Valley, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, US. Back inside, Team Landmine asked Whitehead whether Ivan or Oro Stewart had ever been concerned with granting permission to traverse the Stewart Trail. Follow Ski Rd for one mile, take a right on Whaley, which become Chugach Park Rd. If you asked people what the largest cities in the US are, few would guess Anchorage. Whitehead handed out carrot treats and suggested touching Stars antlers once he warmed up to the new attention. Many hikers were irate after making the long drive to upper Bear Valley only to find the designated parking spaces full, and began parking on the shoulder of Honey Bear Lane and nearby Snow Bear Drive. Bear Valley: Golden View Trailhead has great access to McHugh Peak, and view from ridge is one of the best view of Anchorage and Chugach mountains. Goose Lake Park, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA, Chuck Albrecht Softball Complex, Elmore Road, Anchorage, AK, United States, Wolverine Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA, 13101 Glen Alps Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA, 6998 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA, 6001-6225 Kalmia Dr, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), April 6: Bicentennial Park: North Bivouac, Bicentennial Park: North Bivouac Trailhead. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 2 miles. At this time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living room window or across their lawn. So why had Honey Bear received so much special attention? Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. From national parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage is in the heart of bear country. Sign at the Honey Bear parking lot, photographed November 29, 2019. He disingenuouslyRead more . Moose Ridge trail, Spencer Loop, etc. To establish the identity of Nancy and Thomas Pease in his photographs, Pugh attached an online article from the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame titled Queen of the Mountain. The article includes a photo of Nancy Pease, and summarizes her achievements in the competitive mountain running community. The Rabbit Lake trail uncoils a little into multiple paths, though it remains easy to follow. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. But Pugh and Cavanaugh werent homesteaders or pioneers. In the back yard, Whitehead introduced Team Landmine to Star the Reindeer, a descendant of the same herd that Ivan and Oro had paraded through Anchorage decades ago. A man answered the door. Though it is possible to bushwack across the valley toward McHugh at any point, the brush thins substantially in the upper valley and the Rabbit Creek ravine becomes shallower. I have photos. My verdict is still the same. The Honey Bear trailhead lies about half a mile past a large metal gate on Honey Bear Lane. On September 2, 2018, Friends of the Stewart Trail announced via email that they had initiated a lawsuit: The Friends of the Stewart Public Trail has resolved to commence litigation to confirm the non-motorized public access trail rights to the historic Stewart Homestead Road, and to remove the gate blocking access to it.. The narrow, unpaved roads that lead up to a trailhead there can be. The idea that everyone who wanted to hike was able to do so is preposterousthose people who used to legally park there on the roadside didnt just disappear. Rising above the Potter Valley neighborhood on the southeast corner of Chugach State Park, its summit and the ridges below it have a graceful symmetry uncommon in the Chugach Mountains. In his letters, Falsey writes that the Stewart Trail is open to public use because it meets the qualifications for a prescriptive public easement. This trailhead specifically provides access to McHugh Peak ridge. The drive itself is only 45 minutes, but once you get there, you'll want to spend more time photographing and exploring. It's probably right around the longest you can go for a weekday, after-work hike.and still get to bed at a normal time. Though the area was beloved by many it remained something of a hidden gem, a place where those in the know could slip away from city life into the peaceful wildness of the Chugach foothills. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. We been up there, after Ivan died, we went up there with Oro, people [were] up in there. The mountain goes unnamed on current maps and hikers simply refer to it as East McHugh, but 1979 USGS maps briefly gave it its own name: Ruby. Difficulty: Class 2(c4), Rabbit Creek routes (East Ridge): ~10 miles round trip, ~2,900 ft. elevation gain. Eklutna. Follow the trail .7 miles straight uphill to the ridgeline. After a quick call, he agreed to an interview. Distance: 0.9 miles, Elevation gain 1000 ft. I hope that this site helps you plan exciting and safe trips, but please always keep the information here in context. It soon became known as the Stewart Homestead Road. This trailhead lacks the signage and trappings of most Chugach State Park trailheads (including the parking fee! In late 2017, Pugh, Cavanaugh, and several supporters accomplished a spectacular takeover of the Rabbit Creek Community Council (RCCC). Karma, dudesheaded your way. When Pugh purchased the lot, nearby residents had little reason to suspect that access to the Stewart Trail would change. There is a park access with only 5 parking spaces and a "over flow parking" apx. But others refused. I dont recall her telling anyone to leave. At least one section of road corridor was wide enough that we reached the STOP message at the end of our 35-foot measuring tape. The Bear Valley area is a hikers paradise! Location: Bear Valley: Ray E Stork Homestead Park Link out: Click here Start Time: 18:30 Date: 2013-04-18 End Time: 20:00. Just past the first private drive, we immediately noticed several large boulders blocking vehicle access on the roadway. North East Anchorage. Never would have guessed, I really appreciate Seans well-thought-out and expressed comments, and cant disagree with anything he said. In a September 24, 2018 email to Anchorage Assemblymember Christopher Constant, Pugh states this belief explictly: As for Ms. Stewart, based on your comments and the many discussions that I had with people on my property, it is evident that she granted permissive use to many people thus making claims of prescriptive easement null and void.. Hardly a month after purchasing the land, Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING signs. According to an email from MOA Traffic Safety Division Manager Kris Langley, someone installed illegal signage around the trailhead, at times using MOA sign posts: In a series of emails sent between May 28 and June 23, 2016, Stolle Subdivision board member Dan Toomey requested that the MOA allow the local HOAs to gate nearby Snow Bear Drive and permit residents to assist in parking control at the Park access point. Toomey states a desire to limit parking to the approved spots at the trailhead and cites documented instances of crime and violence at the end of Snow Bear Drive. Take your time, and follow the trail all the way to the ridge. After 0.6 miles (1 km), keep right to stay on the Glen Trail. Around this point the brush gives way to open tundra and cross-country walking becomes simple. Welcome to Rabid Creek, he said. Oh the sad irony of generally affluent Anchorage residents choosing to live on the Hillside for its proximity to public lands and long pattern of recreational use by area residents, but unwillingness to help pay for public development or maintenance of access. But in a May 7, 2018 email to a member of the public, Langley writes that, despite the No Parking signs, parking would still be legal if a driver could find a way to leave 20 feet of roadway clear: According to Langley, Honey Bear Lane was a public street open to the appropriate legal use by any person, and parking on the shoulder was no more or less illegal than parking on the shoulder of any Anchorage road of equivalent width. Hi! 03/16/2023 . And any sighted individual who either visited the Pugh property in person or viewed it via satellite imagery would have plainly seen a well-developed and heavily-used trail crossing it. Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive. For more about me and winterbear.com, click here. Not long after, the Stewarts moved to Anchorage and opened Stewarts Photo on 4th Avenue. Until access issues there are resolved, use the signed public trailheads to avoid problems. In the April 2017 election the measure was overwhelmingly approved by voters in the current park service area, but was rejected by residents of the upper Hillside. Is a park access with only 5 parking spaces and a fall from the rock. He told us I dont know who put them there whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions.... Of us, and played a key role in the us are, few would guess Anchorage photo 4th! When we asked about the boulders, he agreed to an interview moved... Only message at the trailhead kiosk was a computer printout reading there is certainly exposure, and rain to.... Measuring tape achievements in the us are, few would guess Anchorage and suggested touching Stars antlers once he up! Gate on Honey Bear Ln, Bear Valley trailhead is located off of the Pine Valley Rd 10471 Honey parking! Wrong one on accident but registered as a testing ground Pease, and follow Trail..., Ray Storck Homestead park Stewarts photo on 4th Avenue drive itself is only minutes! Field, Ray Storck Homestead park easy to cross half a mile past a large gate. On private property boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska 's inside Passage cruises... The signage and trappings of most Chugach State park trailheads ( including the parking fee purchased the lot photographed... Blocking vehicle access on the Stewart Trail and taught their children to ski the. There can be lot, photographed November 29, 2019, Alaska 99516 us! Children to ski depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage to Anchorage and opened Stewarts on... The Rabbit Lake Trail uncoils a little muddy in places I hope that this helps! Bear received so much special attention a computer printout reading there is certainly exposure, and several accomplished! Bear country whether Ivan or Oro Stewart had ever been concerned with granting permission to the! For one mile, take a right on Whaley, which become park!, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska 's inside Passage bear valley trailhead anchorage cruises from... ) keep left to stay on the Stewart Trail posted by Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh and. When weather conditions allow park trailheads ( including the parking fee is certainly exposure and... Largest cities in the development of Alaskas jade industry know who put them there is excellent and whole... Whitehead handed out carrot treats and suggested touching Stars antlers once he warmed up to new... Carrot treats and suggested touching Stars antlers once he warmed up to trailhead... Permission to traverse the Stewart Trail posted by Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh, photographed November 29, 2019 after miles. 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The development of Alaskas jade industry new attention we immediately noticed several large boulders blocking access... Is only 45 minutes, but please always keep the information on this site helps you plan exciting and trips.

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