TRAILS: 

     Motorized: 4.1 miles, dirt surface, 4 - 6 ' wide, moderate to difficult.

     Non-Motorized: Construction of a new 2.8 mile non-motorized singletrack trail began in late July, 2011.  2.7 miles of trail has been completed to date. Trail construction to resume in 2013.

 PARKING LOT:  Small off-road parking for up to five vehicles.

 Directions: From the Glenn Highway in Sutton, go north on the Jonesville Road for 2.5 miles. Take a left (up the hill) just past the small community of Eska. Follow the rough, narrow dirt road for an additional 1.4 miles, staying to the left at each of the several "Y's" and park at  a small primitive parking area, just large enough for several vehicles. Not recommended for vehicles with low clearance. Motorized users take a right at the "Y" just past the parking area. Non-motorized users can follow the double track left fork of the "Y"  for .4 miles to the start of the new single track trail.

INFORMATION:  This page to be updated in spring 2013. 

AMENITIES: None (backcountry trail system.)  

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

This week all the trails in the area have been groomed and are in great shape. The weather has been clear and cold with no melting of the snow pack. Most of the open areas are wind blown from last week but softer snow can be found in the trees and back in the valleys and deeper in the mountains.

Snow is forecasted by the weekend and with the longer daylight, riding this time of year is always good. Be safe and enjoy.

Randy Crosby

Big Lake Area Snowmachine Trails

Dan Mayfield
Big Lake Trails, Inc.

Alcantra  Hiking & Biking Trail System

Right-click on image to enlarge or print.

Located near Wasilla in the Alcantra sports complex. Though surrounded by a housing development, this park has a secluded feel and gentle terrain with looped nonmotorized multiuse trails winding through wooded grounds near Larson Elementary School. 

WEATHER:           sunny

TRAILS:                  2.5 KM looped trail on eight foot wide paved bike paths.

CLASSIFICATION:   Beginner trail.

CURRENT USAGE:     hiking

 SNOWFALL:              

TOTAL SNOWFALL:   

BASE:                          

GROOMING:                 done for the season 

DIRECTIONS:               At end of Larson Elementary School access road just east of Seldon/Wasilla Fishhook intersection.

INFORMATION:             Disc golf couse has 9 holes - please pick up after yourselves

Parking Lot:                  Portable restrooms on site

COMMENTS:                   There is  a dog waste station at the trailhead for owners to pick up after their pets.                               Please stay on the trail, private property is adjacent to the trail right of way.

ALERT -                           Call the troopers if you see any illegal activity.

Aurora Dog Musher Trail System 

Aurora Dog Mushers Club Inc., Race Track

www.auroradogmushers.net

No motorized vehicles are allowed on the Wetland Preservation areas due to insufficient snow cover.

Ayshire  Trailhead

Weather:                

Latest New Snow:     

Yearly Snow Total:    

Forecast:                    

Base:                          

Parking Lot:                

Parking Fee:                $3   Season parking passes are available at the MSB Building in Palmer for $30

Amenities: New Permanent restroom on site

Cottonwood Lake Fishing Access

Volunteer gate keepers open and close the gate daily

SUMMER HOURS START:May 18. Gate is opened at 8 AM and closed at 10 PM.

ACCESS:  OPEN

OTHER: Portable Restrooms on site, Kids Don't Float Kiosk available with PFDs

Access is located at the end of Spruce Street off Cottonwood Loop, on Bogard Road.

Right click on above image to enlarge or print. Trails depicted in red are groomed weekly by MSB Parks staff when there is sufficient snow cover. Or click the link below for an interactive map of the entire Matanuska Greenbelt Trail System courtesy of the Matanuska Greenbelt Association.

Trail map for entire Matanuska Greenbelt system.

Crevasse Moraine is a multi-use non-motorized trail system located near Palmer featuring an extensive network of rolling trails winding over wooded, glacially sculpted terrain with views of the Talkeetna and Chugach mountains. Most trails are 8 - 16 foot wide double track that are groomed for nordic skate and classic skiing but are also popular with hikers and fat-tired bicyclists.

All intersections on the main trails have excellent signs recently installed by volunteers from the Matanuska Greenbelt Association so getting lost is largely a thing a of the past. The Long Lake Connector and Monitor Well Trails connect with adjoining trail systems on Alaska State Parks and University of Alaska property. All these trails are known collectively as the Matanuska Greenbelt which boasts over 35 miles of trails. Crevasse Moraine is also home to the 1.5 mile Mooseberry Mesa singletrack system which can usually be negotiated all winter by snowshoers, walkers, skiers, and bikers.

WEATHER:  

SNOWFALL: 

TOTAL: 

BASE: 

GROOMING: teminated for the season

TRAILS: Use access at the Experimental Farm

PARKING LOT:  closed during breakup to reconstruct the upper parking lot.

CLASSIFICATION: Beginner  to Expert. While many of the trails have steep hill sections, the Outer and Swamp Loop trails on the northeast corner of the trail system are gently rolling and suitable for beginners as are the loop trails just south of the lower parking lot.

OTHER: Lot will be closed for construction

COMMENTS:  If you find trees down on the trail call 745-9690 and report the location, size, and type. Thank You.

AMENITIES:  Restroom is on site at trailhead.  $3 Parking Fee.   Dog waste station at trailhead for animal owners to pick up and dispose of animal waste. Horse included

LOCATION:  Trailhead is located at mile 1.9 Palmer/Wasilla Highway at the end of Loma Prieta Drive.  Parking lots are at the bottom of the hill.

Eureka Area Trails Updated 3/29/2013

Please check  http://eurekalodge.com  for up to date trail conditions

March 29 2013

18 degrees, light wind, high over cast clouds.

The groomer went out yesterday and groomed over 75 miles of the trail system. 

Start-up lake trail all the way to the river trail. 35 mile loop trail, little Nelichina town site trail.

The weather has held out for great riding, still no melt downs or high winds.

The riding is awesome right now.  Come join us for the annual Spring Fling this weekend and do some great riding......

Eureka Trails are still in great shape.

Darla Fimpel

Eureka Lodge

907-822-3808

Hatcher Pass East Management Area & Summit Lake SRS

Winter Recreation Conditions Report

May 10, 2013

CLOSED TO SNOWMACHINES

on SUNDAY 5/12/2013

Fish Lake Multi-Use Trails

SNOW:   4"

SNOW TOTAL:   60"

LOCATION: Talkeetna; Mile 9 Talkeetna Spur Rd.;

TRAILS:  4 K

WEATHER:  Temperature is  12 F

Groomer:  Su Valley Nordic Ski Club Volunteers

Contact:  Chris Mannix 

      Hatcher Pass Mile 10.6

the Alaska State Parks Government Peak Campground). The Mat Su Borough Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division maintains the access road and parking lot and grooms a sledding hill and 1.5 km XC ski trail system. It's a quiet, scenic getaway to bring the family for a fun day of sledding, skiing, or snowboarding. It's also a stategic spot to access the backcountry bowls and glades of Government Peak.

WEATHER:              sunny

TEMP:                  35 degrees  

SNOW:                   

YEARLY TOTAL:     

SNOW BASE:       

GROOMING:             None

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT:    dry down to gravel

ACCESS ROAD:       dry to gravel

LOCATION:  Turn left off Hatcher Pass Road at Mile 10.6 and proceed up to the parking lot.

COMMENTS:

CAUTION - SLEDDERS TO THE RIGHT, SNOWBOARDERS TO THE LEFT

KEEP YOUR SLEDS UNDER CONTROL

PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOURSELVES.

PARK IS CLOSED TO SNOWMACHINES.

Haessler–Norris Trail

Haessler-Norris Trail Report LAST REPRORT OF THE SEASON   April 25, 2013

This is the final report of the season as spring has finally sprung. The snow is melting fast and some of the creeks are already open. It has been a weird year with freezing temperatures in November, some snow in December, followed by a meager January. From February to April the trails were in their best conditions and the late April snow allowed for an additional few weeks of top recreating. The Haessler-Norris Trail System is a winter-only system; summertime hiking can be experienced on the many, many excellent trails of the Mat-Su Trails and Park recreation.

WEATHER:     Cold in the morning---30*'s--- afternoon 40's* to 50's cloudy light  wind

LATEST SNOWFALL:         2"to 3", on 5/1/13 

YEARLY SNOW TOTAL:      70" Maybe----Not now-----

SNOW TRAIL BASE:           20" ----And going fast

COMMENTS: Restroom cleaned by MSB Parks staff  weekly ---- 5/2/13

PARKING:  Parking lot maintained by DOT on 5/2/13 --- snow is gone & drying----getting soft 

INFORMATION: No camping allowed in lot

Average number of vehicles at site every day -  70 ----22 today

 LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACHINE CLUB

LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACHINE CLUB, INC.

2013 SNOW REPORT

DATE:          4/23/13 

SNOW:        1 inch of new snow and snowing.

TEMPS:        10 to 34             

TRAILS:                The trails remain in good condition. Some dark spots are sun burning. Riders on the trails last weekend reported very fine conditions.

COMMENTS:       All the overflow has re-frozen. Watch for hidden pressure ridges on Lake Louise from Trigg Island to the channel. Grooming is over for the season, unless we receive more snow. All the trail markers will stay in place until they fall over.

Lake Lucille Park Ski Trails

WEATHER:                 36 degrees, sunny

TRAILS:                       hiking trails run throughout the park - see brochure at entrance

CLASSIFICATION:         Road system suitable HIKING

COMMENTS: Restroom    located in Campground #1 is open for park users

INFORMATION:              Please use the Dog Waste Station at the entrance to pick up after your animals. 

                                      Watch out for illegial motorized traffic in Park. 

                     Park is owned and operated by the City of Wasilla - 373-9010

Lake Report

www.lakelouisesnowmachineclub.com

CONDITION: All lakes are iced over.  Check individual sites for safe depth. Thin spots and open water can be found in the channels.

ICE DEPTH: averages 22" thick where tested

WINTER TRAILS: Lake Louise is staked from the lodges to the channel, from the lodges thru Cameron Cove to Jack Watson's. The stakes are every 10th mile with poles at the miles. Lake Susitna isstaked from the channel down the West side. .

SNOW:  no new snow

TEMPERATURES:   -10 F to -30F

OVERFLOW:  It can be found on most lakes off the packed trails

COMMUNITY:

COMMENTS:

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 250-2098, or the lodges.

.

Right click on image to enlarge or print.

The Lazy Mountain Winter Trail System consists of a series of 8 - 20 foot wide loops located on the lower slopes of Lazy Mountain. The trails are suitable for intermediate to expert skiers. The upper trails have gentle grades suitable for intermediate while the lower trails traverse steeper terrain and are more suitable for intermediate to expert-level skiers.

For those prepared for winter backcountry travel, the Lazy Mountain HikingTrail begins at the trailhead and ascends 3000 vertical feet in less than 2 1/2 miles. The recently built Lazy Moose Hiking Trail offers an easier option with gentler gradients. Neither of these two hiking trails are groomed but can usually be snow-shoed or hiked depending on snow conditions. The 2 mile long Morgan Horse Trail also starts from the Lazy Mountain trailhead, connects with Smith and Maud Roads to the south, and offers options for accessing Matanuska Peak and Plumley Maud Trails.

The trails and trailhead offer spectacular views of the Matanuska and Knik River valleys. The microclimate of this area often produces higher snowfalls than adjacent areas of the Matanuska Valley. The Lazy Mountain Recreation Area is maintained for non-motorized recreation and the ski trails are groomed weekly by MSB Parks staff when snow cover warrants.

WEATHER: 19 degrees

LATEST SNOWFALL: 4/9/2013 -  12"

TOTAL SNOW FALL:  51"  

SNOWBASE:  5 "

GROOMING:   2 Upper loops and 4 lower loops groomed on 4/12/13

TRAILS: Lazy Mountain Nordic Ski Trails - 4 km of  trails 

CLASSIFICATION: Intermediate to expert.

PARKING LOT: Clear  with glaciation  ice half way down by the gate, fee box & restroom. BE Careful

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: The trailhead is located off the upper end of Huntley Road. From Palmer, go east for 2 1/2 miles on the old Glenn Highway, take a left on Clark Wolverine Road and follw it for 1/2 mile to a T intersection. Take a right at the T onto Huntley Road and follow it to the end then take a right on Mountain trail to the paved trailhead parking lot.

COMMENTS: Permanent restroom on site closed due to glaciation - portable restroom on site

INFORMATION:  Trail maps are in brochure box past gate towards restroom. Moose are common in this area, use caution.

info@majesticvalleylodge.com 

Information for these trails is available on the following link Majestic Valley Lodge

All trails groomed

Sunny skies,high 30's during the day

Great Spring Skiing!!!

--

Majestic Valley Lodge

Phone: (907) 746-2930

Fax: (907) 746-2931

Email info@majesticvalleylodge.com" target=_blank>info@majesticvalleylodge.com

PARKING LOT: holds six cars, park diagonally

 CLASSIFICATION:  Non-moterized - Intermediate.

 COMMENTS: Access to backcountry recreation

 INFORMATION: Parking lot at the end of Smith Road

No restroom / no parking fee

Conveniently located near Palmer off the old Glenn Highway just east of the Palmer Pioneer Cemetary, the Matanuska River Park is a nice spot for a walk, winter bike ride, or ski on the 1.5 km of groomed trails winding through a campground closed for winter. There's also an ungroomed 4 km singletrack trail system that winds through stands of huge cottonwoods with views of the Matanuska River.

WEATHER: 36 degrees  on 5/6/2013.

GROOMING:  Done for season

SNOWFALL: 

BASE:

TRAILHEAD: Park on either side of front gate

CLASSIFICATION: Beginner.

INFORMATION: Located at mile 17.4 of the Old Glenn Highway

COMMENTS:   Dog waste station at entrance for animals owners to clean up after their pets.

AMENITIES: Permanent restroom open in lower park campground inner loop.

CAMPGROUND: Opens Memorial Day Weekend

 Contact Warren at 745-9690 or 354-1821

Area open to walk in only for winter season

Winter hours  until May 22

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area Winter Recreation Report 4/28/13

can be reached by the following link to the State Parks web site:

https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaStateParks

NLSRA will close to snowmachines on Sunday 4-28-13 at 12:00 midnight

Gate Closed for Winter - open to walk in  for Ice Fishing           Winter / 2013

CLASSIFICATION:             Lake access for Fishermen 

Access gate closed for winter season - WALK IN ONLY until May 22

Walk in access for ice fishing is welcome

OPEN                                         Updated: see web site

Information for this trail is available through Sheep Mountain Lodge

NO MORE GROOMING

TRAIL BASE:.....8" ---------- Maybe ?????????????

GROOMING:  Groomed last snow, Dehidrated serfice and crunchie

PARKING LOT: open

CLASSIFICATION: Intermediate----- Jr. Nordic ski's on Wednesday's----Over

COMMENTS: Groomed by the Denali Nordic Ski Club volunteers in Talkeetna and MSB Park Staff

INFORMATION:     Moose in the area !!!!!

LOCATION: Talkeetna; Mile 12.5 Talkeetna Spur Rd. Go to the pullout and walk up the bike trail

look to the right.

Information - contact Vernon Williams  733-1228

.

                                                           End of seasond not groomed

WEATHER:                  Temperature is   1* F, Some clouds and sun

 TRAILS:                     Loop trail next to Talkeetna Elementary School soccer field.

LATEST SNOWFALL:    10" on 3/24/2013

ACCUMULATION:         30"

TRAIL BASE:                16"

GROOMING:                   on 4/5/13 icee

PARKING LOT:              good

CLASSIFICATION:        Beginner

COMMENTS:                  great for snowshoes

INFORMATION:             Trails groomed for track skiing during the season by volunteers

AMENITIES:                 

LOCATION:                    Near downtown Talkeetna

TRAILS: 5 km of new X-C Ski trails built last summer is closed . Tiger Lake trail closed. .Take note of crossings!!!

SNOW:  Well it is going and the mud!!!!! is coming

ACCUMULATION:-----36"  ??? Going going  gone ,

GROOMING:  -----  Groomed -------------- 5/2/13

PARKING LOT:  $3 parking fee - plowed

CLASSIFICATION: Intermediate

AMENITIES: Restroom on site open and cleaned

LOCATION: Talkeetna -Just off the Spur Road at mile .25 Comsat Road on the right

Submitted by: Vernon Williams - 733-1228

CLOSED

END OF SEASON

SNOW CONDITIONS:   No new snow Spring is comming

ACCUMULATION:        44"----???

TRAIL BASE:                   22" ---Going fast

 GROOMING:                   Clasic tracks  & Skating    No tracks groomed 4/5/13                                                                                                            

PARKING LOT:              plowed 

CLASSIFICATION:        Intermediate

COMMENTS:                Rick Ernst for Trapper Creek Nordic Ski Club 733-2721

MISCELLANOUS:             733-1228 

AMENITIES:          Almost  nobody is sking !  Have the tracks to your self !!!!

  LOCATION:                 Community trail located at 115.4 Parks Highway turn West just     before transfer site.

Trapper Creek Elementary Nordic Ski Trails

No more grooming

WEATHER:   Temperature is  39*F ,  Mostly cloudy

ACCUMULATION:  40+"

TRAIL BASE:  30 "---- Going down!!!!

GROOMING:   groomed 4/4/13,  Packed & Groomed ----No tracks set

PARKING LOT: Park adjacent to the basketball courts

CLASSIFICATION: Beginner-----Ski class Tuesdays & Thursday.

COMMENTS:  information call Vernon at  733-1228

AMENITIES: Nothing special Just alot of good snow!!!!!!!

INFORMATION: Rick Ernst with Trapper Creek Nordic Ski Club - 733-2721

LOCATION: School trail located at mile 2.5 Petersville Road

WEATHER:  9 degrees, cloudy &- windy

ACCESS:  Park at gate and walk in for ice fishing. 

RESTRICTIONS: Motorized vehicles are NOT allowed on the lake surface in winter

CLASSIFICATION:  fishing access.

COMMENTS: Eagle Estates Homeowners Association is a designated Adopt-a-Access group.

ACCESS GATE:  Opens in mid-May, 2013

 please report vandalism - 745-9690

WEATHER:  9 degrees,  windy & cloudy

TRAILS:  3 KM trail up to False Summit and back is crushed gravel surface 6' wide.  Going past  the false summit the trail continues up a 150' staircase and narrows to a 2' tread reinforced with plastic geogrid mesh switching back and forth until you break out of the trees towards the top.  In the open meadow towards the top of the Butte you are on State land.

LATEST SNOWFALL:  12"   4/9/2013

ACCUMULATION:  58"

TRAIL BASE:    6"

GROOMING: none

SNOWSHOE TRAIL: enjoy a quiet trail to the false summit

PARKING LOT:  CLASSIFICATION: Intermediate

 COMMENTS: Please keep dogs on a leash in the subdivision.

 INFORMATION:   Parking fee $3.

AMENITIES: Restroom in parking lot, trash can at entrance to trail.

LOCATION: Take the Old Glenn Highway out of Palmer until you reach Bodenberg Loop Road. Turn right and proceed 3/4 of a mile, turn left on Mothershead and go 2 blocks to the trailhead parking lot on right.  Walk down Mothershead Lane around the corner to the trail access between two private  property lots.

Haessler Norris Trail Report

March 22, 2013

Update 9:00 am Friday March 22, 2013.  Willow got about 6 inches snow overnight. It is still snowing.  With temperatures about 10 degrees it is an ideal fluffy snow.  Great for the trails.

Contact:

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Call 745-9690 or e-mail: Recreational.Services@matsugov.us

Trail maps are located on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough website at: http://www.matsugov.us/RecServices/TrailsHomePage.cfm

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

www.Crosscountryak.org

www.Mat-Su Ski Club.com

www.Alaskans for Palmer Hayflats

Want to keep up on the latest for Wolf Pack Weekend and Big Foot grooming? See Harry's recent newsletter at www.lakelouisesnowmachineclub.com.

($) Daily parking fees will apply at posted areas. You may purchase an Annual Parking Pass at the trail heads by filling in the address information on the park fee envelopes and depositing in the fee station. Annual parking pass applications are available on our Web site or at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Community Development Department at 350 E. Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645.