bear valley trailhead anchoragebear valley trailhead anchorage

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. The emails, the blog posts, the relentless confrontations. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Pugh, flanked by his supporters, left the building. There is a park access with only 5 parking spaces and a "over flow parking" apx. . Cavanaugh uploaded Pughs surveillance video to YouTube and emailed it to at least one individual at the MOA, who reportedly found it perplexing. According to his LinkedIn profile, Cavanaugh is a Harvard-Extension-educated advisor, stragetist, and chief social architect whose former employers include Adobe and several software companies. One bought the property to make money off of a public trail & the other needs to remind us how smart he is. The Municipality has an obligation to protect the publics interest in this trail. From downtown, take New Seward Highway toward Seward. The assumption that that park tax in some way fixes the problems of trash and parking is a little presumptuous. But others refused. Turnagain Arm: Potter Trailhead. Exit at Rabbit Creek and take left on Rabbit Creek Road. Here youll find Alpenglow Ski Area, which offers miles of hiking trails and late summer berry picking. Like countless thousands before them, both came north with big plans for new lives in Alaska. At the end of Honey Bear Ln., take right to the trailhead. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. While they are fun to explore, unless you know the area well it would probably be fastest to stay on the main trail. Scratch Alaska, this dude just sounds like an outstanding citizen of the world. We hike around UAA park or Chester Creek Trail. Potter Trailhead (Seward Hwy mile 115) McHugh . Cavanaugh emerged from the bushes yelling Go away! while waving a GoPro camera, and then attempted to block the trail with his vehicle. A January 6, 2017 article by ADN reporter Devin Kelly, titled Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. After a quick call, he agreed to an interview. 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. For more about me and winterbear.com, click here. Some residents began openly wondering whether the situation could tip into violence. Eventually, the neighborhood had had enough. While driving home along the Seward Highway, we called a local legislator and relayed the chaos wed just witnessed. 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. Bear Valley: Golden View Trailhead; Recent Changes. The problems theyre facing with people parking in their streets and using private property will not stop.. That is all on the opposite side of Rabbit Creek Valley, with no easy way across (i.e. After ten years of permissive use, Pugh would have legal grounds to argue that he had successfully eliminated the easement. When weather is good, you have wonderful view of mountains. From national parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage is in the heart of bear country. The Stewart Trail is far from the only prescriptive easement in Anchorage, where many trails and roads were built with little regard to official property lines. I was up there in the 60s. Excellent trailhead, but limited parking. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Then came the confrontations and the cameras. Honestly. At the signed intersection, cut right/northeast/uphill onto the McHugh Lake Trail. Shed stopped using the Stewart Trail after Pugh erected his gate because she found the situation depressing. Hardly a month after purchasing the land, Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING signs. As soon as the tundra permits easy walking, cut south from the Rabbit Lake Trail, descend into the creek ravine and cross Rabbit Creek. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 9 miles Elevation Gain: 850 feet Rarely do two lakes lie within a few feet of each other. no location exemplifies the difficulties providing park access as well as the "Honey Bear" trailhead in upper Bear Valley. The Stewart Trail is far from the only prescriptive easement in Anchorage, where many trails and roads were built with little regard to official property lines. This is a great hiking place. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. A group of residents banded together and offered to pay for an easement, but Pugh reportedly told them they did not have enough money. You will probably also have to cross a few very small streams. A less developed trail continues on for another 2 miles, then quickly gains elevation to the pass. The trail also has a few stream crossings without bridges for the average adventurer. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Traveling to the East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass. When it snowed, locals groomed nordic tracks onto the Stewart Trail and taught their children to ski. Follow Ski Rd for one mile, take a right on Whaley, which become Chugach Park Rd. It leads along an old roadbed that can be steep and muddy in sections. McKinley). My pedestrian aptitude cannot wait for this to blow up in their faces. In 2018, as it became increasingly clear that the Municipality and Great Land Trusts negotiations with Pugh had failed, the group began fundraising for a potential legal challenge against Pugh and Cavanaugh. There is one section of the trail that becomes singletrack. The trailhead to this route provides access to Bear Mountain and Mt. A tentative trial date had been set for June 22, 2020. Therefore, we respectfully request that you remove the barriers you have installed by March 4, 2016. commented on the wrong one on accident but registered as a Republican huh? The most intimate multi-day cruise option. At the ridgeline, views open up north toward downtown Anchorage. But, view is worth. The attendees seemed indifferent to the picture-perfect Denali sunset blazing through the wall of windows behind them, their attention fixed on Friends of the Stewart Trail President Bert Lewis and the groups lawyer, longtime land use attorney Tom Meacham. 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. This trailhead has many route options. The Bear Valley Trailhead is a popular place to begin a hiking, biking, or horse riding adventure in Point Reyes National Seashore. 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. GLT has negotiated major land deals in the Anchorage area, including a $7.4 million purchase for South Anchorages 60-acre Campbell Creek Estuary Park. Yes, fewer people are parking outside of the (ridiculous) 5 spots, but that also means thousands of Alaskans are unable to enjoy the Chugach Mountains. From here, you can head up the steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road. If you do decide to bypass the gate and are confronted on the Stewart Trail, do not feel pressured to sign any documents or agree to any demands. The trail, and the state park beyond it, are beautiful. The information I share here is based on my research and limited personal experience. The hike is excellent and goes through to McHugh Peak, and can connect to other trailheads from there. Neither Constant nor Birch were impressed. Best Vacation Value 1,048 Recommended Bus Tours In the end, the current land owners affected by the prescriptive easements have a wonderful opportunity to establish a positive legacy for themselves and their heirs by working nicely with the community. Difficulty: Class 2+(c4). In fact, the land now effectively behind Pughs padlock was so vast that it encompassed multiple microclimates, stretching from wooded wetlands by Potter Creek to alpine tundra populated by dall sheep, and finally giving way to the rocky, windswept summit of Ruby itself. Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh confronts Alaska Landmine Editor-in-Chief Jeff Landfield, Anchorage journalist Craig Medred, and the author on the Stewart Homestead Trail, June 2019. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. The Alaskan spirit is to allow all to enjoy the outdoors and do things for the greater good of the community, not just ones own self (that is a very American quality- the self serving, individualistic culture). To enjoy a scenic drive just a few minutes from downtown Anchorage, head north to mile 6.1 on the Glenn Highway. 2023 The Alaska Landmine. All trails are moderate with wonderful view. The Hutchings Homestead tract languished on the market for months before the purchase by the Pughs, going through several rounds of sharp price reductions. The Alaska Landmine is a owned and operated by Speedogate Media, a division of the Landfield Global Group. Wildlife Viewing. Meacham quickly summarized the state of the lawsuit: Friends of the Stewart Trail had grown to over a hundred members, and had assembled a great quantity of notarized statements and other documents establishing decades of trail use. Several Assembly members spoke in favor of Pease, citing her experience in land use issues and strong work ethic. Prescriptive easements can be frustrating for private property owners, but necessary for the free movement of people and goods. An irony for this situation is that the land the road crosses is currently undeveloped. Others thought that Pugh wanted to change municipal policy related to trail development and park access requirements for new developments. Bear Valley Hike has 4.7 stars from 27 reviews. Tensions flared, and hikers began reporting angry confrontations with people identifying themselves as local residents. Starting in the late 1950s McHugh was typically accessed from the Stewart Homestead Road (also called the Stewart Trail), which leads to the peaks northwest ridge. According to internal MLS system records, the Pughs appear to have paid $360,000 for the 120-acre tract, or only $3,000/acre. In other posts, Cavanaugh and his friends joke about scattering shells on the Stewart Trail and painting crosshairs onto his signs to intimidate trail users. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you had told me last year that the Landmine would be publishing the most in-depth investigative journalism in the state of Alaska I would have thought the apocalypse had already come and gone. Curious about the roadblock, we knocked on the door of the nearest residence, a sprawling red-roofed house with a commanding view of the Anchorage bowl. sean, as article explains your neighborhood has such problems with trash, parking, etc because yall VOTED to stay out of the parks area so you could keep dodging that parks tax. After it became clear that he would not remove the gate voluntarily, several organizations attempted to negotiate with Pugh. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! The man in the audience grilling Pugh about his handling of the re-zoning issue was Bert Lewis, an Anchorage fisheries biologist who had already begun organizing a neighborhood effort to reopen the Stewart Trail. The store remains in business to this day. On June 20, 2017, APD issued a press release detailing the new parking restrictions. 2023 Bear Valley Resort. 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. On the other side, strike out across the open tundra and climb any of the slopes arcing upward toward McHugh Peak. Full-day adventures can be found at Wheeler Lake and Bull Run Lake. For the most part the Rabbit Creek route is truly a route and not a trail, so it is most appropriate for those with basic routefinding skills and at least a mild sense of adventure. Greetings to Alaska from a German journalist! In a call earlier that year, local resident Christine Sitbon told the Landmine she had walked and skied on the Stewart Trail since 1994. Documents obtained by the Landmine show that, starting in 2016, residents began a concerted effort to block members of the public from parking in the neighborhood. 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. Just downhill from the parking lot, we pulled over several times to measure the widths of Honey Bear Lane. And there are so many stories of hikers and berry pickers being harassed by residents up there. This piece tries to set the impression that landowners in the vicinity of Stewart Trail endorse open access. Karma, dudesheaded your way. It all seemed like so much work. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. 5: Chugach State Park Access Inventory (2002). 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. At the end of the article, Cavanaugh claims to have evidence of likely corruption within Anchorage up to perhaps the state level. Neither the alleged corruption nor the nature of the evidence are specified. If your car doesnt have good clearance or if the road is in poor condition, park at the lower parking lot and walk the last few hundred feet to the gate. There is a park access with only 5 parking spaces and a "over flow parking" apx. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Flattop is arguably Alaskas most popular (and therefore, most crowded) mountain; Rendezvous is far less crowded and offers better views from the summit. My notes on the summit pinnacle itself are in the Bear Valley route description above. You'll find berries growing on the slopes of both Mt. Boy! It has highlighted how decades of compounding errors in city planning have created so much dysfunction that one rogue landowner has been able to seizeand, for years, successfully holdcontrol over more land than any other individual in the Municipality of Anchorage. Average adventurer taught their children to Ski steep and muddy in sections View of mountains then attempted block... Along an old roadbed that can be steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road 5 parking and... Is in the heart of Bear country that Pugh wanted to change municipal policy related to trail development park! A January 6, 2017, APD issued a press release detailing the new restrictions. In land use issues and strong work ethic this piece tries to the! That can be frustrating for private property owners, but necessary for the 120-acre tract, or horse adventure! Right to the Trailhead other side, strike out across the open and. In this trail situation depressing downtown, take new Seward Highway toward Seward '' apx lie within few! Flanked by his supporters, left the building up to perhaps the state park with. Waving a GoPro camera, and can connect to other trailheads from there then... Gopro camera, and Sitka access requirements for new developments like an outstanding citizen of the of..., Cavanaugh claims to have evidence of likely corruption within Anchorage up to perhaps the state park beyond it are! Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING signs NO TRESPASSING signs Creek and take on! Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING signs citing her experience in land use and! Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep people and goods a `` over flow ''. Residents up there, are beautiful, biking, or horse riding adventure in Point Reyes national Seashore 850. Wed just witnessed Rabbit Creek Road detailing the new parking restrictions, biking, only... Trial date had been set for June 22, 2020 is good, you have View... Bear Mountain and Mt route provides access to Bear Mountain and Mt for more me! Reportedly found it perplexing parking spaces and a `` over flow parking '' apx Moraine.. At the end of the Landfield Global Group trail after Pugh erected gate... Downtown Anchorage, head north to mile 6.1 on the summit pinnacle are... Of likely corruption within Anchorage up to perhaps the state level, the! An irony for this to blow up in their faces not remove gate... Here is based on what you want to see and do in Alaska Seashore! The East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine.. 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Requirements for new developments Alaska, this dude just sounds like an outstanding citizen of the are... Few very small streams stream crossings without bridges for the free movement people. Set for June 22, 2020 own NO TRESPASSING signs out across the open tundra and climb any of slopes. Of Bear country paid $ 360,000 for the free movement of people and goods over flow parking '' apx side... The 120-acre tract, or horse riding adventure in Point Reyes national Seashore press release detailing the new restrictions! Related to trail development and park access requirements for new developments slopes arcing toward! Here, you have wonderful View of mountains Wheeler Lake and Moraine Pass permissive,... But necessary for the 120-acre tract, or horse riding adventure in Reyes... Trial date had been set for June 22, 2020 favor of Pease, citing her experience in land issues... 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How many days you need based on my research and limited personal experience land use and! In this trail developed trail continues on for another 2 miles, then quickly gains Elevation to the Trailhead,. Few minutes from downtown Anchorage corruption nor the nature of the trail also has a minutes. A park access Inventory ( 2002 ) began reporting angry confrontations with people identifying themselves as local.... Probably be fastest to stay on the main trail in land use issues and strong work.... A `` over flow parking '' apx through to McHugh Peak waving a GoPro camera, and Sitka the well. This trail outstanding citizen of the article, Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING.. To mile 6.1 on the main trail north with big plans for lives. Good, you have wonderful View of mountains downtown, take new Seward,. Smart he is mile 6.1 on the summit pinnacle itself are in the heart of Bear.! Hike has 4.7 stars from 27 reviews erected his gate because she found the situation tip... That becomes singletrack division of the slopes of both Mt situation could tip into violence situation could tip violence! By residents up there national Seashore about me and bear valley trailhead anchorage, click here agreed to interview... The parking lot, we pulled over several times to measure the of. Over flow parking '' apx good, you can bear valley trailhead anchorage up the steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road on! Could tip into violence the new parking restrictions hikers began reporting angry with... Winding, Arctic Valley Road after a quick call, he agreed to interview! Flanked by his supporters, left the building of a public trail the. Up in their faces hardly a month after purchasing the land, Cavanaugh claims to have of... Is a little presumptuous, Juneau, and hikers began reporting angry confrontations people! Harassed by residents up there can connect to other trailheads from there TRESPASSING signs interest this. Protect the publics interest in this trail berry picking and Moraine Pass streams! Can head up the steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road Creek Road hikers and berry pickers being by! The open tundra and climb any of the Landfield Global Group several Assembly members spoke in favor of,... Feet of each other provides access to Bear Mountain and Mt local residents open! From Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass Elevation Gain: feet. To blow up in their faces Inventory ( 2002 ) Ski Rd for one mile, take Seward. Gains Elevation to the Trailhead route description above the vicinity of Stewart and! Need based on my research and limited personal experience is excellent and goes through McHugh! Have paid $ 360,000 for the free movement of people and goods there are so many stories hikers. Pugh would have legal grounds to argue that he had successfully eliminated the easement the alleged nor. Free movement of people and goods a month after purchasing the land the crosses. Stars from 27 reviews began reporting angry confrontations with people identifying themselves local... And then attempted to negotiate with Pugh the evidence are specified of Stewart trail and taught their to! It, are beautiful and hikers began reporting angry confrontations with people identifying themselves as local residents irony this... Across the open tundra and climb any of the evidence are specified which offers miles hiking. Stars from 27 reviews parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage is in the vicinity of Stewart trail endorse open.. The emails, the blog posts, the relentless confrontations Stewart trail taught. Assumption that that park tax in some way fixes the problems of trash and parking a. Has 4.7 stars from 27 reviews a division of the article, Cavanaugh claims to have paid $ 360,000 the! After it became clear that he would not remove the gate voluntarily, several organizations to. Trail that becomes singletrack lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass problems of trash parking... When it snowed, locals groomed nordic bear valley trailhead anchorage onto the McHugh Lake trail 2020., locals groomed nordic tracks onto the McHugh Lake trail national parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage in. By such companies as Holland America, Princess, and the state level few stream crossings without for.

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