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Chugach State Park

January 13, 2023

Chugach State Park covers 495,204 acres (2,004 square kilometers)[1] covering a hilly region immediately east of Anchorage, in south-central Alaska.[2] Though primarily in the Municipality of Anchorage, a small portion of the park north of the Eklutna Lake area in the vicinity of Pioneer Peak lies within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.[3] Established by legislation signed into law on August 6, 1970, by Alaska Governor Keith Miller, this state park was created to provide recreational opportunities, protect the scenic value of the Chugach Mountains and other geographic features, and ensure the safety of the water supply for Anchorage.[4] The park, managed by Alaska State Parks, is the third-largest state park in the United States, and consists of geographically disparate areas each with different attractions and facilities.[5] Only Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California and Wood-Tikchik State Park in western Alaska are larger.[5] Hunting and fishing are permitted in the Chugach under regulations established by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for game management unit 14c.[6][7] Target practice is not allowed within the park boundaries.[6]

Bashful Peak, at 8,005 feet (2,440 meters), is the tallest mountain in Chugach State Park.
Aerial view of a glacier in Chugach State Park

Eklutna Lake

Main article: Eklutna Lake
 
Eklutna Lake and Bold Peak in Chugach State Park seen from Twin Peaks trail
 
The Lakeside Trail along Eklutna Lake in winter

The Lakeside Trail travels 12.7 miles (20.4 kilometers) along the shores of Eklutna Lake until it reaches the mile-long Eklutna Glacier Trail that leads in short order to the moraines at the foot of the colossal blue ice of Eklutna Glacier.[8] In the summer, travelers go on foot, by mountain bike, ATV or on horseback, past the lake by way of largely flat trail to the glacier.[8] A traverse with three huts maintained by the Mountaineering Club of Alaska begins at the end of the trail and heads over the tops of the Eklutna, Whiteout, Eagle and Raven glaciers, and ends 31 miles (50 kilometers) away at Crow Pass near Girdwood on the opposite side of the park.[8] In wintertime, trail users are able to travel the same route by snowmobile (snowmachine), snowshoes or cross-country skis as permitted by regulation and weather conditions.[8] As most of the trail is an old roadbed, the trail is a popular winter destination for skijoring and dogsledding.[9] There are two remote campgrounds in the area in addition to a frontcountry campground open during the summer.[8] Two public use cabins are available for rent on the Lakeside Trail.[8] Non-motorized boats, and boats with an electric motor, are allowed on Eklutna Lake.[8] The tallest point in the park, Bashful Peak, towers over the lake at a height of 8,005 feet (2,440 meters).[10] Bush planes are able to land on the far (southern) side of Eklutna Lake at the unpaved Bold Airstrip.[11] North of Eklutna, the southern summit of Pioneer Peak can be reached from Knik River Road via the Pioneer Ridge Trail beginning outside the park boundaries in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.[12][13]

Visitors to Eklutna Lake have the opportunity to experience a variety of plant life at different elevations.[8] Dense forests, characteristically of white spruce (Picea glauca), paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), dominate the lower elevations.[8][14] Ferns, mushrooms, and wildflowers such as dwarf dogwood (Cornus canadensis), fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), and the parasitic northern groundcone (Boschniakia rossica) of the broomrape family cover the forest floor.[8][14] At higher elevations wildflowers such as mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) and the Alaska state flower, the alpine forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), grow in profusion.[8][14] The alpine milkvetch (Astragalus alpinus), bog wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia) and wild geranium (Geranium erianthum) predominate on lower slopes, while further up the nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), coastal paintbrush (Castilleja unalaschcensis), prickly saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata), the poisonous yellow anemone (Anemone richardsonii) and eventually the mosses of the tundra will reward hikers.[8][14] Berry picking is popular in late summer and early fall.[8] Highbush cranberries (Viburnum edule), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), northern redcurrants (Ribes triste) and bog blueberries (Vaccinium uliginosum) grow along the lower trails.[8][14] Dwarf blueberries (Vaccinium caepitosum), alpine bearberries (Arctostaphylos alpina) and crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) are found higher up.[8][14] Correctly identifying berries before consuming them is important as some species are poisonous.[8]

Eagle River

Main article: Eagle River (Cook Inlet)
 
The Eagle River in winter
 
A moose (Alces alces), the state mammal,[15] amidst vegetation along the Albert Loop Trail

A non-profit organization in association with the park operates the Eagle River Nature Center which exhibits interpretive information on wildlife and geological features.[1] The basin of the Eagle River can be accessed by the nearby Albert Loop Trail which passes through three miles (five kilometers) of mixed forests and leads to a river fed by glaciers hidden in the surrounding mountains.[1][16] At those times in the fall when the park's ursine residents are using the area for their fishing purposes, the trail is closed so as to lessen bear-human interactions.[16] In addition, the Rodak Nature Trail leads to a beaver and salmon viewing deck.[16] From the trail red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) can be seen as they spawn, especially in August.[17] Brown bears (Ursus arctos) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos ssp.) often feed on salmon in shallow water between the beaver dams.[17] Hundreds of black bears (Ursus americanus) likewise live in the park.[1] Area streams are excellent for birding as well.[17] The American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) can be seen during the winter months, which birders will also find a successful time to listen for the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and boreal owl (Aegolius funereus).[17] Visitors can rent yurts and cabins along the Eagle River in order to spend time out exploring the scenery and wildlife in the area.[18] Camping is available at the Eagle River Campground.[1]

The Historic Iditarod Trail (or Crow Pass Trail)[19] also passes by the nature center.[16] This popular trail travels 28 miles (45 kilometers) through the park connecting Eagle River and Girdwood as it traverses the Chugach Mountains.[20] It affords incredible views and wildlife viewing opportunities.[19] Even along the first view miles, hikers often see hoary marmots (Marmota caligata) and Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii), and occasionally mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) or Dall sheep (Ovis dalli).[19] Hoary marmots live in alpine meadows, often adjacent to boulders or talus.[19] These furry creatures hibernate from mid-September until April or early May.[19] In summer, they can be heard making long whistle warning calls.[19] Mountain goats and their kids and Dall sheep with lambs can be seen feeding on slopes above the trail during the late spring and summer.[19] Although easily mistaken for each other, mountain goats have a fashion edge over sheep—their long leg hairs resemble pantaloons.[19]

Hillside

The Hillside Trail System lies only 20 minutes east of downtown Anchorage.[21] A privately run shuttle - Flattop Mountain Shuttle - provides round-trip transportation between downtown and the Glen Alps Trailhead.[21] A wheelchair-accessible walk of a mere quarter mile (0.4 kilometers) from the trailhead leads to a sitting area and viewing deck that overlooks the city and rewards visitors with views of the Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range 80 miles (129 kilometers) in the distance.[1] The trailhead is likewise the primary access to Flattop Mountain, the most hiked peak in the state.[22] During the winter some trails in the area are prone to avalanches.[21] Hikers are encouraged to inquire about current conditions before beginning travel in the area.[21] The Powerline Pass Trail is a popular location for dogsledding and skijoring.[9]

Though moose (Alces alces gigas) may be seen along many of the park's trails, a more predictable and convenient spot is the viewing platform at Glen Alps in fall and early winter.[23] Dozens of moose are often seen below the platform and across the Campbell Creek Valley to the east. Wolves (Canis lupus) and Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) also live in the park but are seen less frequently.[1] The willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), Alaska's state bird, as well as the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) and white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) frequent alpine tundra and subalpine shrub thickets.[23] Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) by contrast live underground in alpine and tundra habitats.[23] Hikers may hear the chirps of the singing voles (Microtus miurus). During fall, these rodents construct piles of grasses and plants near their burrows.[23]

Smaller mammals inhabiting this area include red foxes, porcupines, hares, ground squirrels, ermines, and pikas.[24]

Turnagain Arm

Main article: Turnagain Arm
 
A hiker on the summit of Gentoo Peak, with upper Turnagain Arm in the background. Turnagain Arm is a largely silt-clogged fjord known for its extreme tides (including bore tides), treacherous silt flats, and population of beluga whales.
 
View from Beluga Point, Chugach State Park
 
Chugach State Park headquarters located at Potter Section House

The Seward Highway follows part of the southern edge of the park along Turnagain Arm.[25] This stretch of highway is listed as a National Scenic Byway and is designated as an All-American Road.[25] Along Seward Highway is park headquarters located at the Potter Section House State Historic Site which once served as an important worker camp for the Alaska Railroad.[1] There are several viewpoints along the Seward Highway.[26] One of the most visited is Beluga Point, at milemarker 110.5, named for the beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) that frequent the area.[27] Another popular viewpoint along the Seward Highway is Windy Corner at milemarker 106 where Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) are often visible just up the hill.[26] The McHugh Creek Day use area features hiking trails and picnic areas.[28] The Bird Creek Campground is located south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway.[29] As with all campgrounds in the park, each camping site boasts a wooded spot for recreation and relaxtion, a fire ring and picnic table, with potable water and latrines nearby.[29] Park volunteers at campgrounds and elsewhere offer assistance and answer visitor questions.[29] Firewood is often available nearby for a small fee.[29] Though dirt bikes are prohibited, the Bird Valley Trail System is the only location in the park open to ATVs all year round.[30][31]

Turnagain Arm boasts the second highest tides in North America after the Bay of Fundy.[32] These tides, which can reach 40 feet (12 meters), sometimes come in so quickly that they produce a wave known as a bore tide.[32] Adventurous kayakers and surfers have taken to riding the tide as an extreme sport.[32] Hikers should take care not to get stuck in the quicksand-like mudflats that otherwise make up the beaches along Turnagain Arm.[32] The best place to see the Alaskan bore tide is along Seward Highway south of Anchorage, especially at Bird Point (milemarker 96).[33]

Bears

As a wilderness park within easy driving distance of the largest population center in Alaska, the park has been the site of contacts between bears and humans over the years. Most of the time these encounters end peacefully, but there have been a number of maulings. In 1995 a bear was feeding on a moose kill with its cubs near the McHugh Creek trail when two hikers happened upon them. The sow killed them both. In 2007 a grizzly bear bit a woman at the Eagle River Nature Center. In 2012 a man was mauled while climbing Penguin Peak. In 2014 a brown bear mauled a runner at Bird Point. In 2017 there were two bear attacks in different areas of the park in a matter of days. A brown bear mauled three people at Eagle River and a black bear killed a teenager participating in a trail race at Bird Ridge. The black bear attack was deemed to be a predatory, rather than defensive, attack as the bear refused to leave and circled the corpse when it was located by park rangers.[34][35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Guide to the State Parks of the United States-2nd Edition. Washington, D.C.: The National Geographic Society. 2004. pp. 340–342. ISBN 0-7922-6628-5.
  2. ^ "Chugach Access Plan". Municipality of Anchorage. from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Alaska Atlas & Gazetter-6th Edition. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2007. pp. 71–72, 82–83. ISBN 978-0-89933-289-5.
  4. ^ Zimmerman, Jenny (1994). A Naturalist's Guide to Chugach State Park. Anchorage: A.T Publishing and Printing, Inc. pp. 83–86. ISBN 0-9637309-0-8.
  5. ^ a b Littlepage, Dean, A Falcon Guide Hiking Alaska: A Guide to Alaska's Greatest Hiking Adventures, The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, Connecticut, p. 150 (2006).
  6. ^ a b Zimmerman, Jenny (1994). A Naturalist's Guide to Chugach State Park. Anchorage: A.T Publishing and Printing, Inc. p. 227. ISBN 0-9637309-0-8.
  7. ^ "Hunting Maps by Game Management Unit". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park". Alaska State Parks. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Winter in Chugach State Park". Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  10. ^ "Trails at Eklutna Lake". Alaska State Park. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  11. ^ "AirNav A13: Bold Airport". AirNav, LLC. from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  12. ^ Nienhueser, Helen D. (2002). 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska: Fifth Edition. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. pp. 184–186. ISBN 0-89886-791-6.
  13. ^ . Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Zimmerman, Jenny (1994). A Naturalist's Guide to Chugach State Park. Anchorage: A.T Publishing and Printing, Inc. pp. 102–128. ISBN 0-9637309-0-8.
  15. ^ "Alaska Kid's Corner: State Symbols". State of Alaska. from the original on May 22, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d "Trail Maps & Descriptions". Eagle River Nature Center. from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d "Eagle River Nature Center Wildlife Viewing". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  18. ^ "Cabins and Yurts". Eagle River Nature Center. from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h . Trails.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  20. ^ "Wildlife Viewing at Crow Pass Trail". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  21. ^ a b c d "Hillside Trail System". Alaska State Parks. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  22. ^ "Flattop Mountain". AKTrailhead. from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c d "Wildlife Viewing at Chugach State Park". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  24. ^ . Archived from the original on December 30, 2013.
  25. ^ a b . America's Byways. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  26. ^ a b . Alaska State Parks. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  27. ^ "Beluga Point Wildlife Viewing". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  28. ^ McHugh Creek Day Use Area February 27, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  29. ^ a b c d "Bird Creek Campground". Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  30. ^ "Rules of Chugach State Park". Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Guide to the Bird Valley Trail System in Chugach State Park" (PDF). Alaska State Park. (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  32. ^ a b c d "Bore Tides". Alaska Public Lands Information Center. from the original on February 27, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  33. ^ "Road Trip: Alaska's Seward Highway". National Geographic Society. September 14, 2010. from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  34. ^ Boots, Michelle Theriault Bear attacks are still rare in Anchorage. But the dynamics of Sunday’s fatal mauling stand out from history. June 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Anchorage Daily News, June 20, 2017
  35. ^ Khachatoorian, Travis Alaskans on edge" after two deadly bear attacks in one week June 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine KTUU June 25, 2017

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chugach State Park.
  • Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation: Chugach State Park April 19, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  • Eagle River Nature Center

Coordinates: 61°03′07″N 149°47′49″W / 61.05194°N 149.79694°W / 61.05194; -149.79694

January 13, 2023
chugach, state, park, covers, acres, square, kilometers, covering, hilly, region, immediately, east, anchorage, south, central, alaska, though, primarily, municipality, anchorage, small, portion, park, north, eklutna, lake, area, vicinity, pioneer, peak, lies,. Chugach State Park covers 495 204 acres 2 004 square kilometers 1 covering a hilly region immediately east of Anchorage in south central Alaska 2 Though primarily in the Municipality of Anchorage a small portion of the park north of the Eklutna Lake area in the vicinity of Pioneer Peak lies within the Matanuska Susitna Borough 3 Established by legislation signed into law on August 6 1970 by Alaska Governor Keith Miller this state park was created to provide recreational opportunities protect the scenic value of the Chugach Mountains and other geographic features and ensure the safety of the water supply for Anchorage 4 The park managed by Alaska State Parks is the third largest state park in the United States and consists of geographically disparate areas each with different attractions and facilities 5 Only Anza Borrego Desert State Park in California and Wood Tikchik State Park in western Alaska are larger 5 Hunting and fishing are permitted in the Chugach under regulations established by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for game management unit 14c 6 7 Target practice is not allowed within the park boundaries 6 Bashful Peak at 8 005 feet 2 440 meters is the tallest mountain in Chugach State Park Aerial view of a glacier in Chugach State Park Contents 1 Eklutna Lake 2 Eagle River 3 Hillside 4 Turnagain Arm 5 Bears 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEklutna Lake EditMain article Eklutna Lake Eklutna Lake and Bold Peak in Chugach State Park seen from Twin Peaks trail The Lakeside Trail along Eklutna Lake in winter The Lakeside Trail travels 12 7 miles 20 4 kilometers along the shores of Eklutna Lake until it reaches the mile long Eklutna Glacier Trail that leads in short order to the moraines at the foot of the colossal blue ice of Eklutna Glacier 8 In the summer travelers go on foot by mountain bike ATV or on horseback past the lake by way of largely flat trail to the glacier 8 A traverse with three huts maintained by the Mountaineering Club of Alaska begins at the end of the trail and heads over the tops of the Eklutna Whiteout Eagle and Raven glaciers and ends 31 miles 50 kilometers away at Crow Pass near Girdwood on the opposite side of the park 8 In wintertime trail users are able to travel the same route by snowmobile snowmachine snowshoes or cross country skis as permitted by regulation and weather conditions 8 As most of the trail is an old roadbed the trail is a popular winter destination for skijoring and dogsledding 9 There are two remote campgrounds in the area in addition to a frontcountry campground open during the summer 8 Two public use cabins are available for rent on the Lakeside Trail 8 Non motorized boats and boats with an electric motor are allowed on Eklutna Lake 8 The tallest point in the park Bashful Peak towers over the lake at a height of 8 005 feet 2 440 meters 10 Bush planes are able to land on the far southern side of Eklutna Lake at the unpaved Bold Airstrip 11 North of Eklutna the southern summit of Pioneer Peak can be reached from Knik River Road via the Pioneer Ridge Trail beginning outside the park boundaries in the Matanuska Susitna Borough 12 13 Visitors to Eklutna Lake have the opportunity to experience a variety of plant life at different elevations 8 Dense forests characteristically of white spruce Picea glauca paper birch Betula papyrifera and quaking aspen Populus tremuloides dominate the lower elevations 8 14 Ferns mushrooms and wildflowers such as dwarf dogwood Cornus canadensis fireweed Epilobium angustifolium and the parasitic northern groundcone Boschniakia rossica of the broomrape family cover the forest floor 8 14 At higher elevations wildflowers such as mountain avens Dryas octopetala and the Alaska state flower the alpine forget me not Myosotis alpestris grow in profusion 8 14 The alpine milkvetch Astragalus alpinus bog wintergreen Pyrola asarifolia and wild geranium Geranium erianthum predominate on lower slopes while further up the nootka lupine Lupinus nootkatensis coastal paintbrush Castilleja unalaschcensis prickly saxifrage Saxifraga tricuspidata the poisonous yellow anemone Anemone richardsonii and eventually the mosses of the tundra will reward hikers 8 14 Berry picking is popular in late summer and early fall 8 Highbush cranberries Viburnum edule lingonberries Vaccinium vitis idaea northern redcurrants Ribes triste and bog blueberries Vaccinium uliginosum grow along the lower trails 8 14 Dwarf blueberries Vaccinium caepitosum alpine bearberries Arctostaphylos alpina and crowberries Empetrum nigrum are found higher up 8 14 Correctly identifying berries before consuming them is important as some species are poisonous 8 Eagle River EditMain article Eagle River Cook Inlet The Eagle River in winter A moose Alces alces the state mammal 15 amidst vegetation along the Albert Loop Trail A non profit organization in association with the park operates the Eagle River Nature Center which exhibits interpretive information on wildlife and geological features 1 The basin of the Eagle River can be accessed by the nearby Albert Loop Trail which passes through three miles five kilometers of mixed forests and leads to a river fed by glaciers hidden in the surrounding mountains 1 16 At those times in the fall when the park s ursine residents are using the area for their fishing purposes the trail is closed so as to lessen bear human interactions 16 In addition the Rodak Nature Trail leads to a beaver and salmon viewing deck 16 From the trail red salmon Oncorhynchus nerka and silver salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch can be seen as they spawn especially in August 17 Brown bears Ursus arctos and grizzly bears Ursus arctos ssp often feed on salmon in shallow water between the beaver dams 17 Hundreds of black bears Ursus americanus likewise live in the park 1 Area streams are excellent for birding as well 17 The American dipper Cinclus mexicanus can be seen during the winter months which birders will also find a successful time to listen for the great horned owl Bubo virginianus and boreal owl Aegolius funereus 17 Visitors can rent yurts and cabins along the Eagle River in order to spend time out exploring the scenery and wildlife in the area 18 Camping is available at the Eagle River Campground 1 The Historic Iditarod Trail or Crow Pass Trail 19 also passes by the nature center 16 This popular trail travels 28 miles 45 kilometers through the park connecting Eagle River and Girdwood as it traverses the Chugach Mountains 20 It affords incredible views and wildlife viewing opportunities 19 Even along the first view miles hikers often see hoary marmots Marmota caligata and Arctic ground squirrels Urocitellus parryii and occasionally mountain goats Oreamnos americanus or Dall sheep Ovis dalli 19 Hoary marmots live in alpine meadows often adjacent to boulders or talus 19 These furry creatures hibernate from mid September until April or early May 19 In summer they can be heard making long whistle warning calls 19 Mountain goats and their kids and Dall sheep with lambs can be seen feeding on slopes above the trail during the late spring and summer 19 Although easily mistaken for each other mountain goats have a fashion edge over sheep their long leg hairs resemble pantaloons 19 Hillside EditThe Hillside Trail System lies only 20 minutes east of downtown Anchorage 21 A privately run shuttle Flattop Mountain Shuttle provides round trip transportation between downtown and the Glen Alps Trailhead 21 A wheelchair accessible walk of a mere quarter mile 0 4 kilometers from the trailhead leads to a sitting area and viewing deck that overlooks the city and rewards visitors with views of the Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range 80 miles 129 kilometers in the distance 1 The trailhead is likewise the primary access to Flattop Mountain the most hiked peak in the state 22 During the winter some trails in the area are prone to avalanches 21 Hikers are encouraged to inquire about current conditions before beginning travel in the area 21 The Powerline Pass Trail is a popular location for dogsledding and skijoring 9 Though moose Alces alces gigas may be seen along many of the park s trails a more predictable and convenient spot is the viewing platform at Glen Alps in fall and early winter 23 Dozens of moose are often seen below the platform and across the Campbell Creek Valley to the east Wolves Canis lupus and Canadian lynx Lynx canadensis also live in the park but are seen less frequently 1 The willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus Alaska s state bird as well as the rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta and white tailed ptarmigan Lagopus leucura frequent alpine tundra and subalpine shrub thickets 23 Meadow voles Microtus pennsylvanicus by contrast live underground in alpine and tundra habitats 23 Hikers may hear the chirps of the singing voles Microtus miurus During fall these rodents construct piles of grasses and plants near their burrows 23 Smaller mammals inhabiting this area include red foxes porcupines hares ground squirrels ermines and pikas 24 Turnagain Arm EditMain article Turnagain Arm A hiker on the summit of Gentoo Peak with upper Turnagain Arm in the background Turnagain Arm is a largely silt clogged fjord known for its extreme tides including bore tides treacherous silt flats and population of beluga whales View from Beluga Point Chugach State Park Chugach State Park headquarters located at Potter Section House The Seward Highway follows part of the southern edge of the park along Turnagain Arm 25 This stretch of highway is listed as a National Scenic Byway and is designated as an All American Road 25 Along Seward Highway is park headquarters located at the Potter Section House State Historic Site which once served as an important worker camp for the Alaska Railroad 1 There are several viewpoints along the Seward Highway 26 One of the most visited is Beluga Point at milemarker 110 5 named for the beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas that frequent the area 27 Another popular viewpoint along the Seward Highway is Windy Corner at milemarker 106 where Dall sheep Ovis dalli are often visible just up the hill 26 The McHugh Creek Day use area features hiking trails and picnic areas 28 The Bird Creek Campground is located south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway 29 As with all campgrounds in the park each camping site boasts a wooded spot for recreation and relaxtion a fire ring and picnic table with potable water and latrines nearby 29 Park volunteers at campgrounds and elsewhere offer assistance and answer visitor questions 29 Firewood is often available nearby for a small fee 29 Though dirt bikes are prohibited the Bird Valley Trail System is the only location in the park open to ATVs all year round 30 31 Turnagain Arm boasts the second highest tides in North America after the Bay of Fundy 32 These tides which can reach 40 feet 12 meters sometimes come in so quickly that they produce a wave known as a bore tide 32 Adventurous kayakers and surfers have taken to riding the tide as an extreme sport 32 Hikers should take care not to get stuck in the quicksand like mudflats that otherwise make up the beaches along Turnagain Arm 32 The best place to see the Alaskan bore tide is along Seward Highway south of Anchorage especially at Bird Point milemarker 96 33 Bears EditAs a wilderness park within easy driving distance of the largest population center in Alaska the park has been the site of contacts between bears and humans over the years Most of the time these encounters end peacefully but there have been a number of maulings In 1995 a bear was feeding on a moose kill with its cubs near the McHugh Creek trail when two hikers happened upon them The sow killed them both In 2007 a grizzly bear bit a woman at the Eagle River Nature Center In 2012 a man was mauled while climbing Penguin Peak In 2014 a brown bear mauled a runner at Bird Point In 2017 there were two bear attacks in different areas of the park in a matter of days A brown bear mauled three people at Eagle River and a black bear killed a teenager participating in a trail race at Bird Ridge The black bear attack was deemed to be a predatory rather than defensive attack as the bear refused to leave and circled the corpse when it was located by park rangers 34 35 See also Edit Alaska portalList of Alaska state parksReferences Edit a b c d e f g h Guide to the State Parks of the United States 2nd Edition Washington D C The National Geographic Society 2004 pp 340 342 ISBN 0 7922 6628 5 Chugach Access Plan Municipality of Anchorage Archived from the original on March 10 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 Alaska Atlas amp Gazetter 6th Edition Yarmouth Maine DeLorme 2007 pp 71 72 82 83 ISBN 978 0 89933 289 5 Zimmerman Jenny 1994 A Naturalist s Guide to Chugach State Park Anchorage A T Publishing and Printing Inc pp 83 86 ISBN 0 9637309 0 8 a b Littlepage Dean A Falcon Guide Hiking Alaska A Guide to Alaska s Greatest Hiking Adventures The Globe Pequot Press Guilford Connecticut p 150 2006 a b Zimmerman Jenny 1994 A Naturalist s Guide to Chugach State Park Anchorage A T Publishing and Printing Inc p 227 ISBN 0 9637309 0 8 Hunting Maps by Game Management Unit Alaska Department of Fish and Game Archived from the original on January 25 2021 Retrieved March 21 2013 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park Alaska State Parks Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 a b Winter in Chugach State Park Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 21 2013 Trails at Eklutna Lake Alaska State Park Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 AirNav A13 Bold Airport AirNav LLC Archived from the original on November 4 2012 Retrieved February 21 2013 Nienhueser Helen D 2002 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska Fifth Edition Seattle The Mountaineers Books pp 184 186 ISBN 0 89886 791 6 Pioneer Ridge Austin Helmers Trails Matanuska Susitna Borough Archived from the original on January 5 2012 Retrieved March 20 2013 a b c d e f Zimmerman Jenny 1994 A Naturalist s Guide to Chugach State Park Anchorage A T Publishing and Printing Inc pp 102 128 ISBN 0 9637309 0 8 Alaska Kid s Corner State Symbols State of Alaska Archived from the original on May 22 2016 Retrieved March 20 2013 a b c d Trail Maps amp Descriptions Eagle River Nature Center Archived from the original on June 26 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 a b c d Eagle River Nature Center Wildlife Viewing Alaska Department of Fish and Game Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 Cabins and Yurts Eagle River Nature Center Archived from the original on June 25 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 a b c d e f g h Historic Iditarod Crow Pass Trail Trails com Archived from the original on April 27 2015 Retrieved March 20 2013 Wildlife Viewing at Crow Pass Trail Alaska Department of Fish and Game Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 a b c d Hillside Trail System Alaska State Parks Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 Flattop Mountain AKTrailhead Archived from the original on May 8 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 a b c d Wildlife Viewing at Chugach State Park Alaska Department of Fish and Game Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 Plants and Animals in Chugach State Park Alaska State Parks Archived from the original on December 30 2013 a b Seward Highway Overview America s Byways Archived from the original on November 2 2010 Retrieved March 19 2013 a b Turnagain Arm Trail in Chugach State Park Alaska State Parks Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved February 21 2013 Beluga Point Wildlife Viewing Alaska Department of Fish and Game Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 19 2013 McHugh Creek Day Use Area Archived February 27 2019 at the Wayback Machine Alaska Department of Natural Resources a b c d Bird Creek Campground Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 Rules of Chugach State Park Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Archived from the original on March 30 2013 Retrieved March 21 2013 Guide to the Bird Valley Trail System in Chugach State Park PDF Alaska State Park Archived PDF from the original on September 23 2012 Retrieved March 21 2013 a b c d Bore Tides Alaska Public Lands Information Center Archived from the original on February 27 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 Road Trip Alaska s Seward Highway National Geographic Society September 14 2010 Archived from the original on February 7 2013 Retrieved March 20 2013 Boots Michelle Theriault Bear attacks are still rare in Anchorage But the dynamics of Sunday s fatal mauling stand out from history Archived June 27 2018 at the Wayback Machine Anchorage Daily News June 20 2017 Khachatoorian Travis Alaskans on edge after two deadly bear attacks in one week Archived June 27 2018 at the Wayback Machine KTUU June 25 2017External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chugach State Park Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Chugach State Park Archived April 19 2019 at the Wayback Machine Eagle River Nature Center Map of Chugach State ParkCoordinates 61 03 07 N 149 47 49 W 61 05194 N 149 79694 W 61 05194 149 79694 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chugach State Park amp oldid 1133312241, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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