Make a Track, GO BACK

When the snow starts melting, we all get antsy in Alaska to get out those hiking shoes and hit the trail.  I love hiking all year, but there are limitations that spring time hiking can be a hinderance.  It requires patience for everyone (bikers, horse riders, even hikers) to take care of the trail during the delicate time of spring until it drys out and becomes harden.

Lazy Mountain Trail in April 2016

Trails can easily be damaged by making tracts or by going around the wet area creating a even bigger hole next year.  So, I like the slogan, "if you make a track, GO BACK.

Lazy Mountain Trail in April 2016

*Just announced from the Mat-Su Borough "Sorry folks. The Lazy Mountain Trail and Lazy Moose Trail are closed beginning today until they solidify some. Please stay off the Lazy Mountain Trail so the resource is protected. The trail up is goopy mud in parts forcing people off-trail where they trample the brush and wind up making new trails, which causes more erosion. Let's give it a break."

It becomes a danger because if the ruts get formed in spring time they will last all season.

Thankfully, this week, I personally have experienced dry trails!  Yeah! The Mat-Su Green belt with the amazing network of trails are ready for walkers and runners.  It has a few soft spots that bikes could do some damage.  But, mostly dry!

I have four "set route" that I like to explore.

1) Long Lake Trailhead *which is the best to get to the newer trails of RootBear & Bear Bottom

Name:		Long lake loop
Date:		Apr 21, 2016 7:10 am
Map: (valid until Oct 19, 2016)		View on Map
Distance:		3.72 miles
Elapsed Time:		46:41.1
Avg Speed:		4.8 mph
Max Speed:		9.3 mph
Avg Pace:		12' 32" per mile
Min Altitude:		91 ft
Max Altitude:		249 ft
Start Time:		2016-04-21T15:10:29Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	61º 33' 35" N
	Longitude:	149º 11' 57" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	61º 33' 36" N
	Longitude:	149º 11' 58" W

2) Crevass Moraine *Loma Pieta Rd. which takes you up and around and down a fun Moose Berry Single Track back to the trailhead.

Name:		Crevass Moraine
Date:		Apr 20, 2016 6:17 am
Map: (valid until Oct 19, 2016)		View on Map
Distance:		3.26 miles
Elapsed Time:		38:22.0
Avg Speed:		5.1 mph
Max Speed:		10.1 mph
Avg Pace:		11' 47" per mile
Min Altitude:		204 ft
Max Altitude:		309 ft
Start Time:		2016-04-20T14:17:43Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	61º 35' 30" N
	Longitude:	149º 11' 34" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	61º 35' 30" N
	Longitude:	149º 11' 32" W

3) Mat-Su College Glen Massey to the power-line then back via the Snodgrass hut.

Name:		Mat Su collage great loop
Date:		Apr 19, 2016 5:21 pm
Map: (valid until Oct 19, 2016)		View on Map
Distance:		3.13 miles
Elapsed Time:		1:05:23
Avg Speed:		2.9 mph
Max Speed:		10.4 mph
Avg Pace:		20' 54" per mile
Min Altitude:		204 ft
Max Altitude:		323 ft
Start Time:		2016-04-20T01:21:21Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	61º 34' 50" N
	Longitude:	149º 14' 15" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	61º 34' 43" N
	Longitude:	149º 14' 21" W

4) Matanuska Lake trailhead with a loop around the lake and back through the fields.  (great place for kite flying)

Also personally, the Intake trail, Reflection Lake, Rodgers Lake, Butte, Palmer Railroad to Moose Creek Trail, Rippy Trail, Scott Ridge, Eklutna Lake trail,  and all the trails at Government Peak Recreation Area are open for the hiker but not for bikes.