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Chugach State Park, Alaska

Looking for the best hiking in Chugach State Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Chugach State Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Chugach State Park

  • Palmer, Alaska

    Explore Eklutna Lake

    This beautiful lake is fed by Eklutna Glacier.   There is so much to do here:  Rent bikes or kayaks (bring your own too).  Info about renting is here.   Walk or bike along the trail that wraps around the lake Hike Twin Peaks TrailIf you want a more difficult hike, do Pepper Peak. This hike incorp...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike the Twin Peaks Trail

    5.0
    2.6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains that host a variety of interesting wildlife. If you look closely, it is not uncommon to see a Dall's sheep or two on the mountain side. At the western edge of the lake, you will find the parking lot and trailhead. There are picnic tables and a bathh...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Winter Hike to Portage Glacier

    6 mi
    This hike must be done in the deep of winter! Around February, Portage Lake is often frozen solid-solid enough to make walking safe.  Hikers, bikers, skiers, skijourers, and snowshoers will form a 3 mile trail out to Portage Glacier.  This trail is appropriate for children. For younger children, ...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike Byron Glacier

    4.8
    To begin on this adventure, you first have to find the trailhead. Drive out on the highway to Girdwood, and turn left at the sign that says "Portage Glacier". Towards the end of the road, it Ys and you take a right, then another right. Follow this road, and the first parking lot on your right is ...
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  • Cooper Landing, Alaska

    Hike to the top of Slaughter Gulch

    5 mi / 2600 ft gain
    Slaughter Gulch Trail is a leg-busting 2600' ascent up Slaughter Mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska. Covering only a few miles, the trail is steep and quite rocky in some places, requiring the use of trekking poles, all fours, or impeccable balance. Start off early at the small parking lot near t...
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  • Whittier, Alaska

    Hike to Portage Pass and Portage Lake

    4 mi / 800 ft gain
    Probably one of the best bang-for-your buck hikes I've ever been on. Starting from the trailhead, which is just on the Whittier side of the Portage tunnel, you'll hike up 800ft in one mile on a mostly wide, rocky trail. In what seems like no time at all, you'll be at Portage Pass, with views of t...
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  • Palmer, Alaska

    Hike the Pioneer Ridge-Austin Helmers Trail

    5.0
    9 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Starting at less than 200ft above sea level, the trail starts off steep and never lets up. It climbs through forest until you are at about 2000ft. The trail gets muddy as the ground thaws and becomes very slick. The vegetation thins out as the elevation increases and the trail begins to cut back ...
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  • Cooper Landing, Alaska

    Hike Skilak Lookout

    5.0
    5 mi / 900 ft gain
    This was my very first afternoon in Alaska. By myself just meandering around the state by car with a map in my lap. Alaska - what a limitless place of adventure. For those who end up following me, I have a things for places with bodies of water surrounded by towering peaks - so off I was to find ...
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  • Palmer, Alaska

    Hike Lazy Mountain

    5.6 mi / 3000 ft gain
    My sister and I with her dog did this great adventure after completing a Star Wars marathon and being pretty lazy on the couch. We wanted to get up and move our bodies, so we decided to check out this summit hike that ironically was named Lazy Mountain. This is a great hike for those that want a ...
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