Overcrowding on trails can really stink – AKSP Composting Toilet aims to help overuse on popular Reed Lakes Trail
Located in the Talkeetna Mountains of Hatcher Pass, the Reed Lakes Trail is a highly popular and well loved trail, and for good reason! The trail offers tremendous beauty in the form of alpine lakes, mountain vistas, and incredibly rich alpine flora and fauna. A favorite trail option for day users, berry pickers, and overnight backpackers alike, Reed Lakes Trail provides access to the backcountry of Hatcher Pass for thousands of visitors each year.
However, the trail sees such a high volume of visitors, particularly in the summer months, that it has been in desperate need of more care, attention, and love. Braiding social trails, inappropriate disposal of human waste, and increasing impact to the lakeside environment from camping have led to adverse trail conditions and user experiences.
In response to this need, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation provided grant funding to Alaska State Parks to make some significant improvements to the Reed Lakes Trail to address the overall usability and sustainability of the trail. Grant funding from Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation helped support the construction of designated tent sites at the Upper and Lower Reed Lakes as well as a new and exciting backcountry composting latrine, with designated access trails! Thank you to Jodi Swanson at Alaska State Parks for sharing photos of these infrastructure upgrades.
The inclusion of the backcountry pit latrines is an integral part of responsible human waste management. These infrastructure upgrades will help improve the longevity and sustainability of this beloved trail by lessening the impact to the fragile alpine ecosystem. Additionally, the placement of the latrine helps to reduce the risk of water contamination by human waste.
In addition to the project described above, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation provided grant funding in 2024 to Alaska Trails to support trail improvement work on Reed Lakes Trail. Alaska Trails trail crews worked diligently in late summer last year to address social trails and improve the overall usability and sustainability of the Reed Lakes Trail. Technical trail work completed by the trail crew included berm removal, retreading, drainage, rock work, brushing, replacement of trail marker signs, as well as revegetation and resource protection.
Want to lend a hand on the trail? Alaska Trails is hosting a volunteer day at Reed Lakes Trail on July 16th, 2025. Volunteers will be helping with brushing, and repairing the two bridges spanning Glacier Creek and Reed Creek. RSVP online.
Considerable investment and effort from multiple community partners has helped support this beloved trail. But more improvements will be needed. Donations like yours help provide grant funding that cover the cost for materials and supplies, trail crew labor, as well as future plans and development on trails throughout the Mat-Su. Learn how you can help improve and preserve Reed Lakes Trail and other cherished trails for many years to come: www.matsutrails.org/support-donate
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