Here youll find Alpenglow Ski Area, which offers miles of hiking trails and late summer berry picking. 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 classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. As for Ivan and Oro Stewart, as Dan (Jr) says, they had no problem with us using the StewartRead more , At least two of the Board Members of Friends of Stewart Trail live within 400 yards of the Stewart Trail and there are several other neighbors who have submitted notarized affidavits and made monetary contributions to the cause. 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. Nothing could be further from that insinuation. The north ridge of McHugh Peak. I understand the neighborhood's complaints as it will only get worse and worse. 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. Does this trail get overgrown. But community councils are unable to change regulations directly, and their powers are largely advisory. In a January 30, 2018 email obtained by the Landmine, Pugh warns a group of local residents about the consequences of re-opening the trail: If you are like me and you want Potter Valley to remain a relatively quiet neighborhood environment unencumbered from being a Public Access Point like Flattop then we should work together. Bear Valley, a neighborhood on the Anchorage Hillside directly south of Flattop Mountain, is serving as a testing ground. 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.. Take your route going up to the ridge. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Traveling to the East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. In a 2016 Alaska Trails Survey, over seventy people stated that they had openly used the Stewart Trail for decades. It can be overgrown so stay bear aware in this area. Though McHugh peak is mostly an alpine walkup, negotiating the bundle of rocks on its summit can be tricky and feels more like rock climbing than hiking. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. These guys just sound like two outstanding citizens of Alaska. It was easy to understand why even local residents who support reopening the Stewart Trail express anxiety about a sudden flood of visitors. One group of hikers began referring to the trailhead as Grumpy Bear.. This dynamic is clearly at play in the battle for the Stewart Trail. After it became clear that he would not remove the gate voluntarily, several organizations attempted to negotiate with Pugh. As Falsey notes, easements by prescription are created through public use that is continuous, hostile, and open. An informal survey of the neighborhood reveals that residents have been walking this trail since at least the mid-1960s. This is one of the steepest hike we do. Distance: 0.9 miles, Elevation gain 1000 ft. I think theyre a waste of money, and if he wants to spend all of his time looking at people coming and going I feel sorry for him. Indeed, the lack of visible progress had begun to invite comparisons with the 2014 Bundy standoff in Nevada and 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, in which armedand, some have pointed out, conspicuously whitemilitants had been treated with apparent indifference by government authorities after seizing and occupying public parklands. Back inside, Team Landmine asked Whitehead whether Ivan or Oro Stewart had ever been concerned with granting permission to traverse the Stewart Trail. Hiding cameras. At the end of Honey Bear Ln., take right to the trailhead. One individual speculated that Pugh wanted Potter Valley to secede from the RCCC and join the Bear Valley Community Council. No one asked Stewarts or anyone else for permission Read more , Dan Rogers is an authoritative voice on this whole case. This is one of the steepest hike we do. 7-10 days is the most common. He disingenuouslyRead more . Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive. 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! At some point in 2016 the situation had reached the 8th Floor of City Hall, which houses the offices of the mayor and city executives. The trail is a mix of dirt and rocks. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. The measuring tape thrashed in the wind, but with one of us on each side of the road we were able to wrestle it to the ground. Cavanaugh seems to have become particularly frustrated by the Anchorage Police Departments refusal to cite Stewart Trail users for trespass, and started taking matters into his own hands. The man sat down, seemingly unaware that he had just dropped a bomb into the battle for the Stewart Trail. Cars were keyed. I Am so thankful for your persistence and work! Big ship or small ship? This smaller trail switchbacks uphill until it gets above the V-shaped cut bank of McHugh Creek and then parallels the creek all the way back to McHugh and Rabbit Lakes, beneath the Suicide Peaks. The nearest access points to Chugach State Park are the micro-Trailhead at Honey Bear, the end of Canyon Road, and Turnagain Arm Trail across from the Potter Section House. Then came the confrontations and the cameras. ARead more . The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. From here, you can head up the steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road. His will have the burden of proving that his statement is true that you are trespassers. About fifty feet beyond the boulders, an offical-looking street sign read NO TRESPASSING. . 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. Exit at Rabbit Creek and take left on Rabbit Creek Road. It has a few outcrops that you may not want or need to climb over, but its generally easy to follow and fairly low-angle. . The narrow, unpaved roads that lead up to a trailhead there can be. As soon as the tundra permits easy walking, cut south from the Rabbit Lake Trail, descend into the creek ravine and cross Rabbit Creek. 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.. Extension from the Ridge Peak to McHugh Peak (4311 ft). You will probably also have to cross a few very small streams. My notes on the summit pinnacle itself are in the Bear Valley route description above. Baldy, Ram Valley, and Glen Alps, but perhaps no location exemplifies the difficulties providing park access as well as the Honey Bear trailhead in upper Bear Valley. From those looking for a leisurely day hike to backpacking adventures, we have a great assortment of terrain to challenge and excite. 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. On June 19, 2019, the Anchorage Daily News published a cryptic editorial by Cavanaugh titled Anchorages never-ending crime prevention loop. In the article, Cavanaugh excoriates the Anchorage Police Department for allegedly enabling criminal behavior, and expresses frustration at the time he has had to spend covertly recording and catching trail users. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Cavanaugh emerged from the bushes yelling Go away! while waving a GoPro camera, and then attempted to block the trail with his vehicle. The Municipality has an obligation to protect the publics interest in this trail. He said he had spoken with Pugh shortly after Pugh purchased his lot. I made sure to make a lot of noise due to the numerous sightings of bear scat. According to one attendee, Pease had become a prominent advocate for trails and park access in city planning efforts. If they really cared about that fire turnaround they sure as hell wouldnt fill itRead more , One of the best summers for co-existence between residents and hikers has come at the cost of severe restrictions on public access due to parking scarcity and harassment by nearby homeowners. Difficulty: Class 2(c4), Rabbit Creek routes (East Ridge): ~10 miles round trip, ~2,900 ft. elevation gain. (unless you trail-run, of course) If you start at the Bear Valley trailhead, the stats are: 5.4 miles round trip, 2,300 ft. elevation gain Patrolling the trail. Trail was steep for the first mile and a little muddy in places. The Bear Valley area is a hikers paradise! I grew up in Alaska and currently live in Anchorage. At the last rocky point before the summit, the trail disperses onto a broad face that sweeps up toward McHughs craggy crown. I feel compelled to set the record straight. Map showing Pugh Property and the Stewart Trail. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Turn left (northwest) onto the Turnagain Arm Trail and follow it about a third of a mile to the signed cutoff for the McHugh Lake Trail. We have several options. But in a January 2, 2019 email to the Landmine, Municipal Attorney Rebecca Windt Pearson offered another explanation: The Municipality has not proceeded to litigation on this issue primarily because, as noted, the Municipality lacks land management authority and resources in this area.. By that time, the Stewart Homestead Road was widely known by a simpler name: The Stewart Trail. Bear Valley Route (North Ridge) The North Ridge Route, starting at the Honey Bear Trailhead at the top of Honey Bear Lane in Bear Valley, is a fun Class 2 ridge walk with 2,300 feet of elevation gain and excellent views over Anchorage and across the inlet. At the signed intersection, cut right/northeast/uphill onto the McHugh Lake Trail. 6:30 PM-8:00 PM. Locations of several Stealthcam game cameras operated by Pugh. He continued: Either he feels like the law is unfair or he wants money.. want help with those problems (which exist everywhere in every city)? We had been told that the HOA occasionally plowed snow into the trailhead cul-de-sacs fire truck turnaround to discourage parking by hikers. Parking lot, Blueberry Loop Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, Northern Trailhead, Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516, Blueberry Loop Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, 10471 Honey Bear Ln, Just downhill from the parking lot, we pulled over several times to measure the widths of Honey Bear Lane. A less developed trail continues on for another 2 miles, then quickly gains elevation to the pass. All trails are moderate with wonderful view. At the ridgeline, views open up north toward downtown Anchorage. Either way, public access would remain. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Therefore, we respectfully request that you remove the barriers you have installed by March 4, 2016. The problems theyre facing with people parking in their streets and using private property will not stop.. Looking for another hike in Anchorage? Site by. As Falsey explains in his March 2, 2016 message to Pugh: The publics consistent use of this trail for the past several decades has created a public use easement across the property. Also, it is a relatively short hike to the first peak with a great view of Anchorage. The challenge is to figure out how to curb the bad behavior of those people who are simply looking for an out-of-public-view spot to engage in such activities, without restricting access to the park by legitimate users who simply want to be able toRead more , Im sympathetic about the crime, but it sounds like the Honey Bear residents are engaged in their own illegal behavior (blocking off a public city street and putting illegal signage on it, even after the city told them they couldnt!). The McHugh Creek Route up the west ridge starts nearly at sea level and requires just over 4,300 feet of elevation gain to reach the summitfar more than any other route. Illegal and/or disgusting behavior is always a potential problem where roads dead end at a park boundary. The skiing is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow. So, I decided to go back this weekend, with the attention of either turning into Ship Lake or the valley of tarns that lies below Bird Ridge. Direction to the Golden View Trailhead The trailhead parking lot can hold only 5-6 cars. But if youre hoping to score a prime parking spot, this trailhead is best tackled on weekdays or in the off-season. The legislature approved $100,000. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Prospect Heights Trailhead; Upper O'Malley Trailhead; Upper Huffman Trailhead; Glen Alps Trailhead; South Anchorage. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. But Cavanaugh almost immediately developed a hostile relationship with Stewart Trail users. Some noted that signing the access agreement would make use of the Stewart Trail permissive. Just as prescriptive easements are created by non-permissive hostile use, they can also be eliminated if use eventually becomes permissive. Those who happen to live outside the parks service area, including some of Anchorages wealthiest residents, enjoy full access to Anchorage parks but pay no taxes to support them. Images 1 and 2: 30 Hikes in Alaska (1967). Car, train, or group tour. The drive itself is only 45 minutes, but once you get there, you'll want to spend more time photographing and exploring. On either side of the gate, Pugh had apparently built elaborate fortifications of twisted branches, sticks and plastic fencing. Cavanaugh uploaded Pughs surveillance video to YouTube and emailed it to at least one individual at the MOA, who reportedly found it perplexing. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. ), but it is an official parking area. That is all on the opposite side of Rabbit Creek Valley, with no easy way across (i.e. By Paxson Woelber, with additional reporting by Jeff Landfield, bringing the entire Hillside into the parks service area, Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. It reads, in part: Peases resume is legendary. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Drive about two miles past the Alaska Zoo and turn right onto Hillside Drive. Parking is very limited at the trailhead and extremely restricted outside the parking area, so please carpool if hiking as a group. The routes marked on my map are really just suggestions, and its up to you to find your way through this collection of shallow ridges, rocky outcrops, and tundra slopes. Traveling to the East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass. Almost immediately, the meeting careened out of control. Portage Pass Trail. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Conversely, the MOA is unable to spend public parks funding outside of the service area. 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. All trails from this trailhead are flat. 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. This article is part of the Alaska Landmine's coverage of the Stewart Trail access controversy. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Frank I dont know how long youve been in the area, or where you live, but my folks homesteaded the 1/4 section north of Earl Hutchins old homestead (Doc Schoffs place, to us kids as he bought it from Earl). You'll find berries growing on the slopes of both Mt. But others refused. 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. This is the only part of the hike that can feel tedious, though the slogging is tempered by fantastic views up the Rabbit Creek drainage toward Ptarmigan and the Suicides. Climbing the Valley. A city where most of the homesteader roads had long since been paved over, the trails had been blazed a generation ago, and the mountains already belonged to everyone. Never would have guessed, I really appreciate Seans well-thought-out and expressed comments, and cant disagree with anything he said. And Im closing it. You know he might have said, Its my land., The man with the acetylene torch was Frank Pugh, and soon his gate was complete. Take a left on Kullberg, following it through switchbacks, then turn right on Malcolm Dr. Alaska, Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The maps make it appear that his only access is via Stewart Trail. The Bear Valley Trailhead is a popular place to begin a hiking, biking, or horse riding adventure in Point Reyes National Seashore. 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. Until access issues there are resolved, use the signed public trailheads to avoid problems. Oro was devastated. Features: Kid Friendly, Bicycling, Skiing, RunningDirections: To access the trail head, take Peters Creek exit from the Glenn Highway, then turn right on Ski Rd. 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