Bomber Glacier and Reed Lakes is a 12 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Palmer, Alaska that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The views are incredible. It’s actually 5 miles to the Upper Reed Lake and there’s about 2500 feet of elevation gain. I ended up tracking about 10 miles. (One of the waterfalls is early on, while the other is between the two lakes.) There is a more civilized gravel parking area a short distance before this, on the left side of the road. Woke up early today, around 4:30am, crawled out of bed about 6am when I saw the sun was shining. There is a bit of an incline so be prepared for that. We headed up Reed Lakes Trail, I’ve never … The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Boulder rocks, granite peaks, glaciers and glacial lakes are the main attraction. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Photo looks SW. Reed Lakes Trail is a 8.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sutton, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Would probably recommend 3 days. Hardest park was the boulders (stay to the left)! So worth it. This area was wilder and rockier than the lower valley had been. To find the trailhead for the Reed Lakes Trail, you'll take Hatcher Pass Road to Archangel Road, then travel for two miles, where you'll see signs marking the trail. I didn’t care. Website. Breathtaking views. A little mud but not bad. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. You start easy warm up for almost 2 miles through meadow area and then you start to climb. Reed Lakes Trailhead is located 19 miles north of Palmer on the Glenn Hwy. Eventually the ruins of an abandoned mine, Snowbird Mine, will be reached at about the 2 mile point. Saved by Elizabeth Burton. Webmaster's note: Archangel Road may be closed in the spring during breakup to keep the ruts in the road from getting worse. 1. The Reed Lakes Trail is a grueling 4.5-mile out-and-back hike that lulls you to sleep with its methodical, meandering climb alongside high peaks the Talkeetna Mountains before punishing you with a seemingly vertical boulder field. *ONLY DAY 1* On day one of our Alaskan adventure we hiked 10 miles through a treacherous hike (Reed Lakes Trail). Beautiful view of the valley below as you go up. Great day out on the trail! This content is for educational purposes only. The trail headed for a narrow gap about 0.25 mile away. Answer 1 of 2: We would like to backpack in over night next weekend...has anyone been in lately to advise of trail conditions with the heavy snow this year? There were a few large avalanches covering both Archangel Road and… The dog couldn't make it through. Reed Lakes Trail is a 8.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sutton, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Reed Lakes — not Reed’s Lake (s) as many people say — is a trail that leads to two different waterfalls and two different alpine lakes in a remote-feeling valley. She's also written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles about the great outdoors, and created the lovely site that you're looking at now. Dec 25, 2016 - May 16, 2016 The road to the Reed Lakes Trail trailhead was still closed for the season, so it was a two-mile walk down Archangel Road just to get to the trailhead. This wildlife area was established in 1952 when Mrs. Nell Reed donated 731 acres of land to the Missouri Department of Conservation in memory of her husband, Senator James A. Reed. Absolutely beautiful! This hike is a must! I heard someone at the lower lake remark "this is the new flattop" which seemed to sum it up pretty well. The Reed Lakes trail leads to 2 glacial lakes nestled in the heart of the Talkeetna Mountains. Lisa is the author of two hiking guidebooks — "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" and "50 Hikes Around Anchorage" — plus the award-winning travel guidebook "Moon Alaska." Despite the rainy drizzle the skies continually let loose on me (this is nothing new for Anchorage. Round trip distance is approx 15 miles. If you miss the trailhead and keep going, the road gets extremely rough and requires very good ground clearance. BEAUTIFUL! At about mile 14.4 of Hatcher Pass Road, turn sharply right onto unpaved, often rough Archangel Road. After getting gas, food and arriving up into Archangel, the clouds had rolled back in. Little muddy here and there but not bad at all. I see why it is the most popular in the area. Reed Lakes Hiking trail in Fishhook, Alaska (United States). There were a few large avalanches covering both Archangel Road and… A nice trek through the valley up to some boulders and a creek and finally the lake and waterfall. This trail takes you to two beautiful, glacial lakes, Upper and Lower Reed Lakes. Rock climbing, camp sites, open to mountain bikes for the first 1.5 miles. Type: Loop. Reed Lakes Trail Short on time, but still wanting to get out and hit up a trail for a few miles, Bosco & I took off in the Subaru for a trailhead halfway up Hatcher Pass the week before. Follow the shoreline to see what I mean. It was another gorgeous summer's day today as I hiked along the popular Reed Lakes Trail in Hatcher Pass that everyone has been raving… Lower Reed Lake, Hatcher Pass, Alaska Sat Aug 27 The Talkeetna Mountains of Hatcher Pass are all very jagged and craggy. On a sunny Saturday in late August, the trail was absolutely exploding with people - way too crowded. I debated going out the Gold Mint trail or heading up and over Bomber pass to the Reed lakes trail all the way up the valley, but as the clouds started to build my decision was made. At a total distance of 9 miles roundtrip, Reed Lakes Trail is seriously one of the best hiking trails in Hatcher Pass. The trail started off wet and muddy but soon turned to snow. Above the headwall, the terrain leveled out quite a bit. Down sucked. It is such a beautiful hike and the views are so worth it! We kept hiking to upper Reed and got caught in a snow storm - mid September. The first plateau is pretty cool and you get a great view of the valley below. The trail changes to an upward climb with lots of switchbacks. Reed Lakes — not Reed’s Lake(s) as many people say — is a trail that leads to two different waterfalls and two different alpine lakes in a remote-feeling valley. The views are just breathtaking and is one of our favorite hikes in Alaska. In good shape for the most part. The trail starts off wide and flat as you walk through a beautiful valley surrounded by trees and giant granite mountain peaks. If ever there were an iconic hike in Hatcher Pass, this is it. I ended up at just over 10 miles, Perfect conditions. The snow and lower down rain, had mucked up the trail and made the inclines very slick. Additional tracts were purchased using federal monies and Department funds to bring the area to its present 3,084 acres. Lakes. Moderate hike, 3 miles to lower lake. In partnership with. Share. Took about 6 hours with lunch break, Beautiful views, muddy at the top. Once through it’s flat for a short ways and then you have to up some more to the lower lake. This trail was awesome! The Reed Lakes Trail starts at the far end of the valley at the foot of the mountain at Center. I've never walked up the toe of the Bomber glacier, coming up the moraine I could picture how massive it once was, but now its little more than a ramp of ice, I didn't see any crevasses. There is a bolder field that requires some patience, but I love it. Lots of scarring from cutting trails and a bunch of mud. Turn left at the T, which will be signed either for some variety of “Fishhook” road or for Hatcher Pass Road. Several boulder fields. Muddy in spots and very busy but definitely the most beautiful hike I’ve done in AK, Boulder field wasn’t too bad, So pretty! Dogs are also able to use this trail. 5 Popular but Dangerous Winter Hikes Near Anchorage, Alaska, The Old “Front” Trail up Flattop Mountain. Our next vlogs are much … The first couple of miles on the trail are mellow. Hiking is an inherently dangerous activity, and Alaska is an inherently dangerous place; so no matter what I or anyone else says, you are responsible for your own safety and choices. They rise starkly all around the valley dominating the landscape. I really enjoyed this hike. Then there is more up to get to the upper lake!! Jun 6, 2016 - May 16, 2016 The road to the Reed Lakes Trail trailhead was still closed for the season, so it was a two-mile walk down Archangel Road just to get to the trailhead. Not much mud. You pass the waterfall where a lot of families hiked to later in the day and turn around. Hard but not terribly difficult and worth it. made it to upper reed & back in about 4.75hrs. I would definitely suggest getting there early. Development of the area and lake construction began in 1957. Highly recommend, I’m an avid hiker. Lower Reed was gorgeous. It’s also gated shut once winter sets in. Reed Lakes Trail. Make sure you take a pole in the summer, and some good waterproof boots (and probably gaiters) if there is snow in late fall. Amazing views. That boulder field is no joke. Took us 5 hours RT. By the time we got to upper Reed the fog had moved in a couldn’t see anything, but enjoyed the hike. Get there: Take Trunk Road north from Wasilla until the road ends in a T intersection. Hiking to the B-29 Superfortress crash site on Bomber Glacier via the Reed Lakes trail in Alaska's Talkeetna Range with my wife and quadcopter. If you follow the right trail, there is much less boulder hopping than in years past. If you want anything resembling a quiet day out, try to go during the day on a weekday, or early in the morning. This trail is extremely popular by Alaska standards. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. We started at 7:50 am and the parking lot was already filling up. Bring hiking poles and a couple liters of water with snacks. Like most All Trails, the trail was a little longer than stated. Reed Lakes Trail in Hatcher Pass is a scenic trail that leads to two alpine lakes, Upper Reed Lake and Lower Reed Lake. The parking lot and nearby roads were overwhelmed with cars, and the hike bottlenecked at multiple places with so many people trying to get around each other. Seeing the sun I decided to grab the dogs and head out for a hike. Renowned mainly for its relatively moderate hiking trail, Reed Lakes is also one of Anchorage’s favorite bouldering areas, offering up a significant sampling of trad and sport routes as well, all featuring delightfully sharp granite. It’s also a great backpacking destination, although navigating the boulder field is miserable (at best) in rain or fog, which are both very common here. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. Signs that include maps are posted at key locations of the Reeds Lake Trail, which features natural wooded areas, wetlands, and residential areas. Just take your time and enjoy it. Then comes the boulder field. It can get slippery if there is snow (right now). We head out to the local Reed Lakes Trail for some summer fun! The temperatures vary depending on where you are on the trail. Reed Lakes Trail - Hatcher Pass, Alaska – popular memes on the site ifunny.co The trail started off wet and muddy but soon turned to snow. Amazing trail. My mom and I hiked to upper reed lake yesterday and it was amazing ! The right balance of everything- hiking, switchbacks, bouldering...views were stupendous! This trail is extremely popular by Alaska standards. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The Reed Lakes Trail to Lynx Peak & a View of the Bomber Glacier, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska (8-28-17) It had a little of everything. Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. As I've said before, it rains here. In winter, it might be a good idea to take skis or snow shoes." The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. August 12, 2010 - 08:21 PM August 12, 2010 Uncategorized. Hiked 9-10 miles RT. The actual trailhead is on the right, about 2.4 miles in, and it is more rutted/rough than the road up until now. Length 8.7 mi Elevation gain 2,247 ft … The route utilizes an off-road bike/walking trail that includes sidewalks, paved pathways and boardwalks. Reed Lakes Trail. Reed Lakes Trail is a 8.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sutton, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as difficult. East Grand Rapids, MI. Hatcher Pass Road. This 4.2 mile trail around Reeds Lake is popular for walkers, runners and cyclists. Reed Lakes Trail. Crest the ridge and you should look down upon upper Reed Lake. Bouldering is tough but the dogs did it with help. I did this hike August 13th 2005. Happy hiking. We did this traverse in 1.5 days and it was a complete sufferfest in the best way. Follow the dirt path left on boulders from previous hikers, though that’s not always easy. Length: 4.25 mi. The boulder scrambling is a fun way to break up the walk. So amazingly beautiful !! I hit the ground 3 times. The beginning of this hike is deceptively easy - it's relatively flat, with a gravel surface that's easy to navigate. If the Archangel Rd is closed add a couple miles of boring gravel road each way. Dogs are also able to use this trail. & the boulder field adds another fun dynamic. The low grade and the abundance of water makes this trail a very popular backpacking trail. Overall, this trail had it all and I wouldn’t skip it. Signs with maps are posted at key locations along the Reeds Lake Trail, which features natural wooded areas, wetlands, and residential areas. it was a stellar decision. It's fairly moderate but it does have a boulder field in the middle where there is no trail and you'll need to do some minor route-finding. Glisade the snow slope below to the lake, then follow the Reed Lakes trail back to the road. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. Alaska Insider News Sign-up to receive deals on Alaskan Tours, Hotels & More. Bring snack and water and hiking poles. At first, the trail was still a good single track easy enough to follow. It was a beautiful day to hike! This road usually doesn’t open until June or July; it depends on weather. a beauty none the less. Saw a lady coming back down with her dog from the boulder scramble. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. They are the namesakes of the popular Reed Lakes hiking trail, and are notable for their turquoise color and location in a dramatic glaciated wilderness landscape. The first mile is deceiving, nice and flat....then you start going up and up and up some more until you come to the boulder field/labyrinth.. Dumb AllTrails only recorded 4. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the trail … It also shares its trailhead, and the first couple miles of trail with hike 8 (Snowbird Mine). Alexandra Zoe/Alltrails. This is hike 7 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska. Boulder hopping was a load of fun and the snow at Upper Lake was the icing on the cake! Palmer, AK 99645. Many people had tickets on their windshields - pay the parking fee or get an annual pass, and try to carpool anytime you are headed to a trailhead. Varied terrain, first two miles is well maintained, then move into a more rugged trail as you head deeper into the mountains. Reed Lakes Trail is probably my favorite hike in Hatcher Pass. Lakes Alaska Trail To Go River Outdoor Rivers Outdoor Games The Great Outdoors. to Fishhook Willow Road. (One of the waterfalls is early on, while the other is between the two lakes.). Once you reach Upper Reed Lake there is only one place that we found that is suitable for a tent. Trail was great! About This Trail [Total: 1 Average: 5/5] This 4.2 mile trail around Reeds Lake utilizes sidewalks, paved pathways and boardwalks. I suggest you bring gloves of some sort just to help protect your hands. Lots of people and dogs and all creek crossings were easy. Truly incredible, beautiful trail. A lot.) This is one of the best hikes in Alaska. You’ll pass ruins from the abandoned Snowbird Mine before making your way up switchbacks. The tail starts from an unpaved parking lot and makes it's way through a valley surrounded by granite peaks. The Reed Lakes Trail is a very scenic trail that meanders up the glacier-carved Reed Creek Valley up to the lower and upper Reed Lakes. just keep going! Especially right now with a little bit of fresh snow at the end to give it that extra touch. Reeds Lake Trail . The Reed Lakes are a set of two alpine lakes in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska. We did this traverse in 1.5 days and it was amazing the boulders ( stay the... And all creek crossings were easy and waterfall of miles on the trail started off wet and muddy soon! Sufferfest in the road deeper into the Mountains in Hatcher Pass are very. 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