Alaska Trails

05/30/2026

The Russian Jack bike trails are dry and open! Alaska Trails and Happy Trails will be doing construction in the area throughout June. Please obey trail closures and avoid construction areas. Thank you, and enjoy riding the trails!

05/30/2026

Alaska Trails is thrilled to have received an Anchorage Park Foundation Community Challenge Grant this year to support our volunteer events in Anchorage! Our Alaska Trail Stewards events were one of 14 projects to be supported, and all the deserving recipients got together recently to celebrate. We can't wait to start volunteer trail work, beginning on National Trails Day on June 6th!

Want to learn more about our Alaska Trail Stewards volunteer program? Visit: https://www.alaska-trails.org/alaska-trail-stewards

05/29/2026

Happy Trails to Ben Ervin!
Huge thanks and Happy Trails to Ben Ervin as he moves on to his next adventure!

Ben joined Alaska Trails in 2021 as our Trail Technician and Youth Employment in Parks Contractor. Ben then progressed into a leadership role as our Trails Program Officer. For several years, Ben has overseen the field and construction components of our Alaska Trail Stewards Volunteer program and our Professional Crews. Ben has been especially helpful in shaping our Pro Crews Program, growing it from a fledgling covid-era experiment into a robust trail construction and maintenance shop. Ben’s leadership has helped Alaska Trails’ Pro Crews make meaningful improvements to trails along much of the railbelt and beyond!

We’ll miss Ben’s positive attitude, boundless energy, journeyman carpentry skills, and endless entertaining stories! We are grateful that Ben is leaving Alaska Trails a significantly better organization due to his efforts.

Fortunately, Ben isn’t going far! He is transitioning back to full-time fieldwork with our partners and collaborators, Interior Trails. He'll spend the summer improving the Crow Pass Trail in Chugach State Park. Say hi to him if you pass him out on the trail. If you don’t see him out in Chugach State Park, you might see him zooming past you on his unicycle on one of Anchorage’s bike or multi-use trails!

05/27/2026

We made a website for the Alaska Long Trail so you can find all the details you need to plan your adventure and get out there faster!

The Alaska Long Trail has its own page: Alaska Long Trail l Go check it out, too!

www.alaskalongtrail.org

05/26/2026

Two volunteer opportunities this week on the Mirror Lake trails! Lend a hand if you can!

Mirror Lake Trail Work

Thursday May 28th, 2026 6:30-9pm

Sunday May 31st, 2026 1-4pm

Please bring rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, we will have some tools if you need them.

Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!

05/23/2026

Alaska Trails has 3 Pro Trail Crews working this summer - here is your Mat-Su crew!
Learn more about them and the trails they'll be working on here: https://www.alaska-trails.org/trail-crews

05/22/2026

URGENT: Public trail access threatened in East Anchorage: your voice is needed by May 30.

JBER has released a draft environmental assessment proposing a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire along the East Muldoon/JBER boundary from the Glenn Highway to Stuckagain Heights. This would significantly restrict public access to recreational areas that Anchorage residents have used for decades.

Details:

- Alternatives exist: wildlife-permeable fencing, sensors, and designated wildlife crossings, but aren't currently proposed.
- The proposal is open for public comment until May 30.

How to submit comments:
• Email: [email protected]
• Review the full environmental assessment: https://www.jber.jb.mil/Services-Resources/Environmental/Environmental-Planning/
• Direct PDF link:https://www.jber.jb.mil/Portals/144/Services-Resources/environmental/JBER_Perimeter_Security_Draft_EA_compiled_April_2026_508.pdf

Trail access isn't something we can take for granted. It's protected by people who show up, review proposals like this one, and submit thoughtful comments. Thanks to Senator Giessel and Bill Wielechowski for raising this issue! Please take a few minutes before May 30 to make your voice heard!

05/21/2026

Alaska Trails has 3 Pro Trail Crews working this summer - here is your Chugach National Forest crew!
Learn more about them and the trails they'll be working on: https://www.alaska-trails.org/trail-crews

05/20/2026

A fun and interactive way to get out and explore the variety of trails the Mat-Su Valley has to offer! Vist these 9 trails, track your progress on their website, and be entered to win prizes! Learn more here: https://matsu.gov/trailspassport