- Eklutna Lake
There is a $5 fee at every trailhead in Chugach State Park. There are two parking lots right by Eklutna Lake for easy access. Eklutna Lakeside Trail is an out and back trail that extends about 12 miles one way. You can choose how far you want to hike and then turn around. Bears are often spotted in the area, so make sure you bring bear spray. This trail is very wide and shared with ATVs and mountain bikes. It can get very muddy. The lake is also a popular spot for kayaking and a shop called Lifetime Adventures is located just off the parking lot for renting kayaks and mountain bikes. Also off the parking lot is the trailhead for Twin Peaks Trail.
2. Thunderbird Falls
This 1.8 mile out and back trail starts off immediately with an incline up a hill, then pretty much levels out until you reach the viewing deck for the waterfall. If you choose to continue to the base of the falls, you will descend downhill, where it is very muddy by the river. The waterfall is not as visible as I was hoping at the base of the falls. Only the very bottom of the waterfall is visible. This is a popular/touristy trail and I did have to wait behind a group in order to view the waterfall from the looking deck.
3. Blueberry Knoll Loop
This is a 1.7 mile loop that takes you up a mountainside. At the top, you have the option of hiking around the peak and back down, or there are cut throughs straight up the peak. There are many intersecting trails throughout so this is a choose your own adventure trail. It was a very popular spot for dogs and we encountered many other leashed dogs along the trail. The parking lot is very large and there is also an overflow parking lot. It seemed like dog owners were very good about bagging their dog poo, but strangely the bags were left all over the trail, which defeats the purpose of getting rid of dog waste and plastic. My guess is if Chugach State Park added trash barrels at the trailheads this would decrease the chances of poop bags being left on the trail. Max had a great time meeting other dogs and checking out the aerial views at the top of the mountain. As the name suggests, there are also ample opportunities for blueberry picking here.
