Chugach National Forest 2016 Visitor Guide
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CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST 2016 VISITOR GUIDE CAMPING WILDILFE VISITOR CENTERS page 10 page 12 page 15 Welcome Get Out and Explore! Hop on a train for a drive-free option into the Chugach National Forest, plan a multiple day trip to access remote to the Chugach National Forest! primitive campsites, attend the famous Cordova Shorebird Festival, or visit the world-class interactive exhibits Table of Contents at Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. There is something for everyone on the Chugach. From the Kenai Peninsula to The Chugach National Forest, one of two national forests in Alaska, serves as Prince William Sound, to the eastern shores of the Copper River Delta, the forest is full of special places. Overview ....................................3 the “backyard” for over half of Alaska’s residents and is a destination for visi- tors. The lands that now make up the Chugach National Forest are home to the People come from all over the world to experience the Chugach National Forest and Alaska’s wilderness. Not Eastern Kenai Peninsula .......5 Alaska Native peoples including the Ahtna, Chugach, Dena’ina, and Eyak. The only do we welcome international visitors, but residents from across the state travel to recreate on Chugach forest’s 5.4 million acres compares in size with the state of New Hampshire and National Forest lands. Whether you have an hour or several days there are options galore for exploring. We have Prince William Sound .............7 comprises a landscape that includes portions of the Kenai Peninsula, Prince Wil- listed just a few here to get you started. liam Sound, and the Copper River Delta. Copper River Delta .................9 The Chugach National Forest: If you have a couple of hours: If you have a couple of days: Camping and Cabins ........... 10 • Is home to thousands of glaciers; Kenai Peninsula Kenai Peninsula Trail Guide ............................... 11 • Contains over 3,500 miles of shoreline; • Includes the Copper River Delta, the largest contiguous wetlands complex on Visit the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Hike the Resurrection Pass Trail • • Wildlife .....................................12 North America’s Pacific coast; One hour south of Anchorage Designated a National Recreation Trail • • • Includes the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area at almost a World class exhibits and 20 minute film 40 mile trail with eight rental cabins and camping • Bears ......................................... 13 third of the forest acreage; Hike Byron Glacier Trail to view a glacier spots along the route • • • Produces 66 million salmon a year (11% of Pacific salmon production) via View salmon spawning at Williwaw Fish Viewing Varied terrain from thick forest to alpine meadows Backcountry Guide. ............. 14 stream and lake habitat for all five species of pacific salmon; Platform Prince William Sound Visitor Centers .......................15 • Incorporates more than 180 miles of the Iditarod National Historic Trail known as the Southern Trek; and Prince William Sound Take a Kayak Trip in Prince William Sound • Provides world-class recreation and fishing experiences. Go flightseeing • Practice your kayaking skills • Experience the bounty of the sound in an afternoon • Explore busy bird rookeries This visitor guide provides an overview of opportunities available to residents • See magnificent glaciers sculpt the landscape • View sea-life up close and visitors. These opportunities involve your own planning or could • Breathtaking scenery • Rent a primitive cabin incorporate one of our outfitters and guides who are permitted to provide quality experiences within the forest (i.e. rafting, fishing, hunting, hiking). Copper River Delta Copper River Delta Chugach National Forest Hike the Eyak River Trail Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival VISITOR GUIDE We also provide U.S. Forest Service ranger-led interpretive programs at our • 2.9 mile trail begins along the Eyak River • Birder’s paradise Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and Crooked Creek Information Site as well as • A wonderful variety of landscapes, forest, muskeg, • Millions of shorebirds Forest Coordinators & Contributors: at other locations on and off the forest in partnership with tourism businesses alder, and dense grass • Community events, workshops, and educational Nick Racine, Alicia King, Mona Spargo, Annette such as: Heckart, and Charles Lindemuth • Popular access site for anglers during the coho opportunities salmon runs Cover: [top] Summit Lake on the Kenai Peninsula. • The Alaska Railroad Whistle Stop (Anchorage/Portage) [bottom]: Kayakers in Chugach National Forest. • Major Marine Tours and Phillips Cruises (Whittier) Photos courtesy of Chugach National Forest. • Portage Glacier Cruises (Portage Lake) Printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks. The Chugach National Forest Visitor Guide is Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, I hope you enjoy your national forest. published by the Alaska Geographic Association in cooperation with Chugach National Forest. ©Alaska Geographic USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Terri Marceron FOREST SUPERVISOR, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST Produced and Designed by: ALASKA REGION 241 North C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 274-8440 or toll-free at (866) AK-PARKS www.alaskageographic.org 2 3 Eastern Kenai Peninsula The Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National camping options including a group campsite, dispersed Forest is best known for its spectacular recreational oppor- camping outside the developed recreation area, and the tunities. Its forested lands, mountains, and rivers are just Spencer Bench Cabin. (Reservations required for group minutes south of Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. The site and cabin.) At Grandview there is a short interpretive peninsula is a haven for visitors and residents alike. A hiker’s trail where passengers can stretch their legs. Grandview paradise, it boasts hundreds of miles of maintained trails. is the end of the line for the Glacier Discovery Train and For the fisherman, numerous opportunities exist to reel in returns back to Portage and Anchorage after this stop. In “the big one.” The Eastern Kenai Peninsula truly holds some the future, the Chugach Whistle Stops will be connected of the forest’s most accessible treasures. by 30 miles of trails with the potential for a multi-day excursion into the rugged Kenai Mountains. So climb Camping aboard and experience the Alaskan backcountry where Numerous camping opportunities exist along the Seward only the Alaska Railroad and the Chugach National Highway, a nationally designated All-American Road and Forest can take you. National Scenic Byway. Trail River Campground, south of Moose Pass, is located strategically between Seward and Cooper Landing for visitors who want to access recreational opportunities in both areas. The campground can accom- modate modern recreational vehicles and has a day use area along the scenic shore of Kenai Lake. A large group site, DON’T MISS... available by reservation, has a volleyball area, horseshoe area, covered pavilion with fire grates, and playground Iditarod National Historic Trail equipment. Nearby are Ptarmigan Creek Trail, Victor Creek —Southern Trek Trail, and Carter Lake Trail that access the spectacular backcountry and offer fishing opportunities in both lakes The Chugach National Forest has restored and and streams. developed 65 miles of the Southern Trek of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, connecting the communities Chugach Whistle Stop of Seward and Girdwood. Additionally, there has been The Chugach Whistle Stop is a partnership between the an installation of seven major bridges and numerous Chugach National Forest and the Alaska Railroad minor bridges, construction of one new trailhead, and Corporation. Through this partnership, visitors have a restoration of one historic cabin. The trail represents a distinctive travel and recreation experience found national heritage, recreation, and education resource nowhere else in the United States. The Glacier Discovery that inspires and draws Iditarod enthusiasts, history Train takes passengers off the road system and into the buffs, students, and outdoor adventurers from around backcountry of the Chugach National Forest. The Spencer the world. Located less than an hour from Anchorage, and Grandview Whistle Stop stations are ready for you to the Southern Trek provides year-round opportunities enjoy. At Spencer a trail leads to a spectacular view of Spencer to experience the spirit of the historic Iditarod. Glacier or you can continue to the edge of the glacier. (See page 11 for mileage details.) For those looking to overnight, 4 5 Prince William Sound The forest meets the sea in Prince William Sound, where Passage provide durable gravel camping surfaces. Bear lush rainforest borders 3,500 miles of intricate coastline. cans and portable toilets are loaned free at the Glacier Glaciers are a prime attraction in Prince William Sound Ranger District. For details visit Begich, Boggs Visitor with hundreds of glaciers spilling from high peaks, some Center in Portage Valley, Glacier Ranger Station in flowing all the way to the ocean and calving into remote Girdwood, or Crooked Creek Information Site in Valdez. fiords. As our climate changes, the ice is retreating in many areas, providing a glimpse of unique geology and post- Sightseeing glacial reforestation. If you don’t have a lot of time, a day cruise or flightseeing trip is an excellent way to see Prince William Sound. Keeping it Wild Catch a boat from