Adventure Hike Series “Take a Daycation with us”
Living in the Mat-Su = Adventure! If Hiking, biking, skiing, birding, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, hunting and berry picking is your thing and you live here, you are living your best life. The Mat-Su Trails and Park Foundation and a select group of awesome community members are co-hosting the Soles in the Backcountry Six Peak Challenge, 6 peak Challenge, Adventure Hike series this year. What is Soles in the Backcountry (SITBC)? SITBC started 5 years ago after Kate and Lance Arnold were traveling outside of the U.S and participated in a similar series. They knew offering something similar here would make a positive impact in our community, So they launched the SITBC 6 Peak Challenge. The SITBC 6 Peak Challenge promotes and challenges individuals, friends, and family to get outdoors and participate in healthy leisure activities. There are three challenges included in SITBC Adventure Book (Target Adventures, Hiking Series, and The 6 Peak Challenge) and you can choose to do any or all of them. Each challenge varies in degree of difficulty so choose the one(s) that suit(s) you best!
The Mat-Su Trails and Park Foundation and a select group of awesome community members are co-hosting the adventure hike series this year to inspire you to get out and enjoy the trails. We hope you will join us for one of the hikes or all of them. Visit our website for updates and more information. Please bring all of your own equipment and essentials to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the trail.
How Do You Participate?
1. Pick up your Adventure Book for a small cost at Active Soles Performance Footwear.
2. Select the appropriate challenge based off on your comfort level and complete any or all of the adventures, hikes, or 6 peaks between May- October 1st.
3. Throughout the summer document your success by bringing your Adventure Book to Active Soles Performance Footwear for your stamp or sticker (for the 6 peak challenge).
4. Stamps/Stickers will be received only by photo or GPS proof. Receive one stamp/sticker for every adventure completed.
In October there will be a celebration with prizes, food, a short film festival, and more!
Most Importantly – BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN.
Going solo? Take a selfie on the hike and tag the Mat-Su Trails and Park Foundation on Facebook with the hashtag #bestlife and #daycation to be entered to win a cool prize!
Lazy Mountain Wednesday June 20th :: Host Nancy Black & Family
Please meet at the Lazy Mountain Recreation Area Parking lot off Huntly Rd at 10:30am rain or shine.
Blueberry Knoll (GPRA) Friday June 29th :: Host Julie Estey & Family
This is a lovely family friendly trail climbs up 1.5 miles to a beautiful overlook. We will meet at the Government Peak Recreation Area Parking Area at 10:30am rain or shine.
Rippy Trail (Knik River Public Use Area) Friday July 13th :: Host Kim Sollien & the Mat Su Trails and Parks Foundation
This trail 7.6 mile round trip trail begins at the very end of Maud Rd, past the shooting range. We will meet in the Jim Lake Parking lot at the end of Maud Rd extension at 10:30am rain or shine.
Skyscraper Peak (Hatcher Pass) Friday July 20th :: Host Jillian Morrissey & Family
This 4 mile round trip hike starts near Summit Lake at the top of Hatcher Pass Road. We will meet in the April Bowl parking lot at 10:30am rain or shine.
Marmot Peak (Hatcher Pass) Wednesday August 3rd :: Host Amy O’Connor & Family
This 5.2 mile round trip hike begins with small rolling hills and increases in steepness until you first peak/ridgeline. We will meet in the Fishhook Parking lot at 10:30am rain or shine
Gunsight Mountain (Glacier view/ Sheep Mtn area) Friday August 10th :: Host Desire Shepler & Butte Ladies
This is a great hike to a relatively high summit–6,441 feet – Because of the terrine this is a good weather only hike for us. Stay tuned for updates!
Bonus Hike
This hike is not part of the Soles in the Backcountry Six Peak Challenge but we wanted to share this unique opportunity to learn from the Chickaloon Native Village Cultural program.
Stone Woman / Lions Head Monday August 6th :: Host Chickaloon Native Village Cultural Interpreter
Athna Story about the Lions Head: Natsede’aayi (Rock That is Standing)–Three Tsisyu sisters were walking, heading down the river; two kept going, the one carrying a baby stayed behind and was turned to stone. Lion’s Head is famous throughout the state. This rock outcropping is the prominent feature along the Glenn Highway and beside the Matanuska Glacier. This hike is a bit of a scramble, kind of like the Butte, but its straight up for about 1000 feet. You’ll be rewarded by great views, looking down a 2,000-foot cliff face to the glacier. You’re panorama will include views of the Matanuska River, Caribou Creek with the Talkeetna Mountain Range behind you and the Chugach to the front.
Getting there: At the top of the hill at about mile 106 on the highway, you’ll turn on the right off the highway and follow the road to the telecommunications tower. Walk up the dirt road and veer right. In a treeline of alders, you’ll see a rock cairn that indicates the trailhead. Start climbing!
Check in here for updates.
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