Southcentral Wilderness Explorations
Example Trips from the Book
Take a look below for a few of our favorites from the new 55 Ways, one trip from each region.
These are complete trips, with photos, maps, and directions, just as they appear in the book.
Each link below opens a PDF document of a trip.
Ptarmigan & Vagt Lakes (Kenai Peninsula)
Two great lakes and a handful of optional side trails
An Iditarod Trail section the Forest Service completed in 2021 connects the lakes. Do either lake or both, as a day trip or overnight.
Peters Creek Winter Tour (Municipality of Anchorage)
A protected winter tour through forest that nonetheless opens to spectacular mountain views.
There are some hills! Summer options too. Peters Creek Valley is huge and not visited as much as other parts of Chugach State Park.
Lion Head (Matanuska-Susitna Borough)
A short steep trail to spectacular views over the Matanuska Glacier
This informal, unmarked route can be confusing and seemed a good candidate for a guidebook, to keep people from needless bushwhacking and trail erosion.
Jumbo Mine and Root Glacier (Copper River Basin)
The best of the McCarthy-Kennicott area in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Two destinations in a fine overnight hike that encompasses history, giant mountains, glaciers, and icefalls. Easily converted to shorter day trips.