Mt. Baldy Trail is a 2 mile roundtrip trail with 1300 feet elevation gain that is located in Chugach State Park’s Eagle River area. Eagle River is about 15 miles north of Anchorage and 25 miles south of Palmer. The trailhead is located at the end of West Skyline Drive and has ample pull-off parking. The trail is well established in the lower section, with fairly wide switchbacks. There is an alternate shorter route that goes straight up the mountain, but at a very steep angle. We opted to use the switchbacks, which still headed up quickly.
Mike heads up a switchback on Mt. Baldy Trail
View of Mt. Baldy, a rounded knob, about halfway up the trail
At the top of the switchbacks, the trail rapidly braids and criss-crosses into lots of steep routes that all go to the top of Mt. Baldy. Some of these are on loose scree, some through roots on a more dirt surface and some on a combination of dirt and scree. At this point it is hiker’s choice. We chose a route that had more dirt and roots, as the scree was quite loose. Mike and I also took some different routes based on our personal preference.
The trail steepens as it reaches the end of the switchbacks
On the trail, there were spruce trees and alders on the lower section of the trail. The upper part of the trail was above tree line with shorter plants and shrubs. Later in the summer, the upper area has lots of wild blueberries to pick and eat. Wildflowers were blooming. There were a good number of other hikers on the trail.
Wildflowers (fireweed) on Mt. Baldy
After finally reaching the top of Mt. Baldy, we were rewarded with awesome views of the surrounding Chugach Mountains, Knik Arm, and the Eagle River and it’s namesake community. The trail continues out across a ridge for another five miles and 1400 feet more elevation gain to reach the top of Blacktail Rocks. We did not hike the entire way to Blacktail as we had other plans for the rest of the day, but the trail looked inviting.
View of the Knik Arm and Eagle River from the top of Mt. Baldy
Ridge trail heads to Blacktail Rocks
Going back down the trail required careful footwork and attention on the top section due to the loose surfaces. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Once back on the switchbacks, it is a fairly easy down hike.
Mike prepares to descend Mt. Baldy, view of Knik Arm and Eagle River
Thunder Bird Falls Trail is another two mile trail with only 300 feet elevation gain also located in the Chugach State Park, near the Eklutna River. This trailhead is located off the Glenn Highway at the Thunder Bird Falls exit, about 25 miles north of Anchorage. There is a large parking area with vault toilets at the trailhead. This is a fairly easy hike.
Thunder Bird Falls trail heads through a forest of mostly birch
Thunder Bird Falls Trail heads through the woods, primarily birch, on a rolling trail of ups and downs. There were many people on this trail, which is quite popular. It is a wide, level and well maintained trail which is listed as wheelchair accessible, though it would be a workout to push a wheelchair up and down the rolling hills.
Warning signs for drop-off cliff edges
There is a deck overlooking the Eklutna River Gorge at about the halfway point of the trail with an interpretive display about life on a cliff (plants primarily). We did see several signs warning about the cliff edges. If you have children or pets, they should be closely supervised. Leading up to the falls is a boardwalk that is a couple hundred feet in length. There is a nice viewing deck with some benches for watching the Thunder Bird Falls.
Thunder Bird Falls
The upper section of Thunder Bird Falls
