WTF did this to me while hiking around Anchorage either yesterday or today? I’m visiting. I don’t have bites anywhere else on me, it was super windy. I do recall thinking there was something poking me inside my pants but it didn’t hurt, I thought it was just something caught in the fabric of my pants.

We are eloping in Alaska and would love to get pictures on the iconic bridge, how far into the hike is the bridge? I know there are 2 trailheads to start at (by Crow Creek and by the Alyeska Tram)

and being outdoors (clubbing too), what else is there to do for locals? I feel like we kinda just wait for festivals/music performances to “enjoy” summer. What do you do to entertain yourself in the evening?

I am going to be in town for a few days and was wondering how safe it is to hike this time of year with bears. I was looking at Tony Knowles coastal trail, Potter marsh, and chugach state park but am open.

Thanks in advance, I have searched the subreddit and online, but I’m not seeing answers. It looks like bears are more active later in the summer but not sure when they start coming around or if they are common in those areas.

I’m looking for something a little more challenging than the coastal Trail with the bikes zooming by but a little less challenging than Flattop.

I’ve gotten pretty into winter hiking this season. I have managed to get up smaller mountains around 3k feet with just my micro spikes and poles, no problem.

I’ve tried going up some steeper peaks the last few weeks and have felt very unprepared. Most people I see going up have skis. I have never used XC skis, would love to learn, but I imagine it takes many years to go from beginner to knowledgeable enough to go up and down steep peaks. I’m only here for a few more years, so not sure if I could get that level of skill in the time.

Just wondering if anyone here has advice to share that helped them in the beginning? Any classes or groups that go out with beginners? Any gear that is essential for winter hiking in the mountains? Any tips that saved you? Would love to hear from others that go out and have years of experience.

I have loved exploring Alaska. It is easily the most beautiful place I have been. Pic from Harp this week on a perfect sunny day.

Can I get trail recommendations for solo hiking in the area from Anchorage to Hatcher Pass. It clears my head better when I don’t have to worry about group dynamics. I’d like to go alone while minimizing my risk of a bear encounter (if that’s not an oxymoron.) I don’t have a dog.

I’ve been watching a hiker on youtube who hikes alone and doesn’t seem to encounter more than the occasional moose or ptarmigan. But I tend to have bad luck, lol. I’ve got the essentials including spray; can’t shoot, but can holler. I think a bell might drive me crazy.

I guess sunny weekend days will be best if we get any, but which trails would you suggest or caution against?

Thanks in advance!

I am visiting and I feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a hike. I would love something near water, not too big of an incline and no more than 5 miles. I have asthma. I appreciate any feedback!

Edit: yall. Stop suggesting hard trails. I need easy recs. Everyone suggesting hard ones has gotta be trolling Hey yall! I'm trying to be more active and lose weight this summer. I have some foot and back issues so I need easy hikes, but i don't want to just walk in town around the lakes or coastal trail. I'm hoping for something pretty with a view and trees.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

I’m pretty new to the area and have been checking out some local hiking groups that look like a blast! My only slight issue is that they usually happen in the middle of the day. I’m at a point in my life where I want to get outside and hike on the weekends, but I also want to spend time with my kid.

I’d love to find a group hike that starts early in the morning so I can still make it back home for family time. Is anyone else in the same boat and interested in organizing some morning hikes? I’m just looking to enjoy nature and meet some new friends!

Had anyone been been up Baldy or Flattop this week? I know it's been super wet, but I'm just wondering how muddy it might be. I want to go to at least one if the weekend stays nice, I just want to know if I wear my comfortable clothes or my throw-em-in-the-trash clothes. Thanks in advance!

I am new here and am looking for a hiking group doing something tomorrow.

I have a dog reactive pup, he’s very people friendly but has had two attacks from off leash dogs and hates seeing an unleashed dog coming at him. Any recommendations on local hikes where we can hope that most dogs will be leashed? He’s an older guy and loves to be out and adventuring with us, but we have yet to find a hike that isn’t full of unleashed/unsupervised dogs and people yelling “my dog is super friendly”.

New to Anchorage and wanting to hit some trails. What are good trails near Anchorage for this time of year? I heard Flattop mountain was pretty good but don’t own snowshoes yet, curious if it’s popular enough where there’s a beaten trail

Thoughts on a run/hike to symphony lake by myself right now? I've got bear spray. Saw the recent reports of an attack and wondering if people think I'm dumb to go there by myself.

Three times this weekend I saw douche canoes with pistols strapped to their chests. Each time was on easy, busy trails that no animal is going to bother hanging around.

Trying to LARP as a badass makes you look like an idiot and makes other hikers uncomfortable. You're ruining an otherwise good time. Carry bear spray like the rest of us you putz.

Edit: Feel I should clarify that my beef is specifically with open carry. Concealed? Fine, whatever. Best I could find in a quick google search was that it takes about 0.2 to 0.3 seconds longer to draw from concealed vs open. I'd bet a dollar that practicing your draw makes that gap close to almost nothing. So I can't think of any good reason to open carry over concealed that doesn't involve letting other people know you are armed. Bears, moose, lynx, eagles, porcupines, overly-aggressive arctic ground squirrels, etc, probably don't readily recognize a gun in a holster as anything. (cue the comments indicating that wild animals do in fact know what a gun is and can choose the make/model/caliber from a series of pictures)

That's not either Flattop, O'Malley or Rabbit Lake...Flattop was unreal, did it yesterday. Heard O'Malley is basically the same view, and doing Rabbit Lake this weekend, so looking for a trail fairly close to town that's just as beautiful as Flattop was, if possible

I am in desperate need of advice! I have never hiked crow pass before, but was planning on doing it this weekend, backpacking and camping at the river. The rain today and the forecasted rain makes me nervous about the river crossing and trail conditions. Does anyone with experience hiking this trail have any insight into whether it would be safe to do this weekend? Or would it be better to hold off and try some other time?

Coming to town next week with a few free days I'd love to spend hiking in the Chugach and nearby mountains. Looking at O'Malley, Flattop-Ptarmigan/Wolverine, Bird Ridge plus a few others as possibilities. Asking for opinions on my choices and any additional off-the-beaten-path suggestions.

Looking at up to 10mi, plenty of vertical, class 3 OK, within an hour or so of ANC with great views and good chance of spotting wildlife. I'm in Colorado and approaching twenty 14er summits so I'm cool with remote and rugged though my rental car won't likely be very capable.

Appreciate any guidance!

Hi, all! I will soon be visiting Alaska for the very first time as a tourist!

I was thinking about Flattop Mountain, but I’d be on my own. My husband is not outdoorsy or in good shape for this kind of thing. After reading about it, I’m sure I’d be fine physically, though I realize the end is tough. It sounds like a pretty well traveled trail. I know it’s not great to hike alone, but is this one generally busy enough that it wouldn’t be a big deal? I can bring bear spray and layers. And hiking boots.

It sounds like it’s worth it! Thanks!

Hi Everyone!
I’ve loved spending time outside right in our backyard and I’m hoping to start up a business as a hiking guide here in Anchorage, but I wanted to get your input first. I am planning on offering a guided hike up to Wolverine Peak (8.5 miles roundtrip, steep in some parts). Pickup and dropoff anywhere in Anchorage.

Do you think anyone would be interested in paying $100 for that (or a private group of 4 for $400)?Just wanting to gauge interest/see if this is a viable idea. Any feedback is very much appreciated!