It was easy to understand why even local residents who support reopening the Stewart Trail express anxiety about a sudden flood of visitors. And Im closing it. You know he might have said, Its my land., The man with the acetylene torch was Frank Pugh, and soon his gate was complete. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. The Honey Bear parking lot was platted in the early 2000s as a condition for continued private development of upper Bear Valley. After about a mile and a half, the McHugh Lake Trail passes the base of a prominent rock and tundra gully with a small trail leading up it. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. At the signed intersection, cut right/northeast/uphill onto the McHugh Lake Trail. quarter mile away ya-no some people think just because there privileged! Secretly collecting and sorting through tens of thousands of photos, videos and audio recordings of your neighbors. All trails are flat. Hardly a month after purchasing the land, Cavanaugh began posting his own NO TRESPASSING signs. Team Landmine left the meeting early. It was not evident what Pugh and Cavanaugh hoped to accomplish by taking over the RCCC. Opponents tend to view them as hostile coups, while others simply see the messy process of local democracy in action. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Though tens of thousands of Anchorage residents live on the foothills below this belt of parkland, the Honey Bear trailhead can accommodate only five vehicles. You will probably also have to cross a few very small streams. Now on a busy day the road can honestly be blocked for fire engines. But others refused. Excellent trailhead, but limited parking. In emails, Pugh frequently refers to unauthorized trail users as trespassers engaged in criminal trespass. This is BS! Greetings to Alaska from a German journalist! On June 19, 2019, the Anchorage Daily News published a cryptic editorial by Cavanaugh titled Anchorages never-ending crime prevention loop. In the article, Cavanaugh excoriates the Anchorage Police Department for allegedly enabling criminal behavior, and expresses frustration at the time he has had to spend covertly recording and catching trail users. The park has many trails. There was an audible gasp in the room. On September 17, 2012, Frank Pugh and wife Oksana Pugh purchased a 120-acre lot in upper Potter Valley formerly known as the Earl Hutchings Homestead. Out and back is about five miles through dense stands of spruce, lush fern and devil's club. Families walked dogs, jogged, berry-picked and ambled into the tundra for panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. For the most part the Rabbit Creek route is truly a route and not a trail, so it is most appropriate for those with basic routefinding skills and at least a mild sense of adventure. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Title: Bear Valley: Ray E Stork Homestead ParkLocation: Bear Valley: Ray E Stork Homestead ParkLink out: Click hereStart Time: 18:30Date: 2013-04-18End Time: 20:00, We hike around UAA park or Chester Creek Trail. 99516, Trail end there. Though it is possible to bushwack across the valley toward McHugh at any point, the brush thins substantially in the upper valley and the Rabbit Creek ravine becomes shallower. Whose side are you on?. And there are so many stories of hikers and berry pickers being harassed by residents up there. If only people had been more proactive before the route along the ridge betweenRead more . There is a parking-fee area at the Rendezvous Peak Trailhead. Ivan and Oro Stewarts amphibious vehicle on the Stewart Homestead. The brush on the south side of McHugh is not at all bad by Chugach standards, though the tundra and grasses can be steep and slippery. If you asked people what the largest cities in the US are, few would guess Anchorage. Oro was devastated. By submitting the photos to the Assembly Pugh entered them into the public record, revealing the tools he employs to record and track those who use the Stewart Trail. Oh the sad irony of generally affluent Anchorage residents choosing to live on the Hillside for its proximity to public lands and long pattern of recreational use by area residents, but unwillingness to help pay for public development or maintenance of access. The ridge consists of several peaks and valleys, but height of drop is about 100-200 ft. Car, train, or group tour. ", "This is BS! Almost immediately, the meeting careened out of control. hiking area At the ridgeline, views open up north toward downtown Anchorage. They were instead forced into some other hillside bottleneck, or they didnt hike at all. All trails from this trailhead are flat. In her will, Oro Stewart divided her homestead tract between two beloved local organizations, the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Alaska Zoo. With additional reporting by Jeff Landfield. Alaska He was sometimes slow, one former coworker told the Landmine, but he was careful. The hiker described the encounter as follows: He had a welding setup there and a bunch of metal a bunch of rebar and plates, and an acetylene tank. With more people you may unfortunately get some trash, but hopefully less needles, condoms etc. The Cavanaughs drove their RV up the mountain and parked it in the middle of the Stewart Trail, blocking the trail and forcing hikers to detour around it. exit of I-8 and is one of the closest OHV opportunities in the Greater San Diego Area. On June 20, 2017, APD issued a press release detailing the new parking restrictions. 2-5 day small ship explorations. The North Ridge Route, starting at the Honey Bear Trailhead at the top of Honey Bear Lane in Bear Valley, is a fun Class 2 ridge walk with 2,300 feet of elevation gain and excellent views over Anchorage and across the inlet. The Bear Valley area is a hiker's paradise! Flattop is arguably Alaskas most popular (and therefore, most crowded) mountain; Rendezvous is far less crowded and offers better views from the summit. Governor Kevin Meyer. According to a 1996 article in the LA Times, the couple was woken during their honeymoon camping trip on Kodiak by American soldiers who mistook them for Japanese spies. I grew up in Alaska and currently live in Anchorage. After 0.6 miles (1 km), keep right to stay on the Glen Trail. Brett Woelber on the summit of Ptarmigan Peak, with the west ridge of McHugh Peak rising out of the clouds in the background. You are under no obligation to speak with anyone on a public easement, and use of a public easement is not trespass. He writes that he is a good team player that is able to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects. Former coworkers describe Pugh as methodical and precise. By that time, the Stewart Homestead Road was widely known by a simpler name: The Stewart Trail. Best Vacation Value 1,048 Recommended Bus Tours The Honey Bear lot quickly created problems, both for would-be trail users and nearby residents. Follow the ridgeline 1.5 miles over the top of Ruby (the west summit of McHugh Peak) and then on to the summit of McHugh Peak itself. The lot appeared to have significant value to only one group: users of the Stewart Trail. Goose Lake Park, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA, Chuck Albrecht Softball Complex, Elmore Road, Anchorage, AK, United States, Wolverine Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA, 13101 Glen Alps Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA, 6998 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA, 6001-6225 Kalmia Dr, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), April 6: Bicentennial Park: North Bivouac, Bicentennial Park: North Bivouac Trailhead. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Bear Valley Trailhead is located off of the Pine Valley Rd. I knew his parents Dan and Helen starting in 1982 when we bought a lot in Mountainside Village and built a house. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. After quarter miles of going through low brushes, you will be out of tree zone. The hike was awesome both times I did it!!!! It requires only a bit more elevation gain than the north ridge route (2550 ft. vs. 2320) and far less than the McHugh Creek route (4,300 ft). Smoked salmon and cans of King Street hefeweizen sat on the table, and an aged golden retriever ambled between guests in the packed living room. Meanwhile, the situation on the Stewart Trail was devolving into a tense standoff. From national parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage is in the heart of bear country. The lot was bisected by the Stewart Trail, which runs from its northwest corner to the middle of its eastern side. Looking down the east ridge of McHugh Peak toward Rabbit Lake and the Suicide Peaks. The trail also has a few stream crossings without bridges for the average adventurer. As Falsey notes, easements by prescription are created through public use that is continuous, hostile, and open. In an August 22, 2019 phone call, Chugach State Park Superintendent Kurt Hensel told the Landmine, To me its really frustrating to have such a great, big awesome park out there, but have limited parking and we have to turn people away to the third largest state park in the country. Hensel remarked that planners should work to serve the general public, and not just Hillside residents anxious about the public entering their neighborhoods. And Public Land must be accessible. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 2 miles. Had the snow been pushed up against the No Parking signs, I would not have had a problem. Though McHugh peak is mostly an alpine walkup, negotiating the bundle of rocks on its summit can be tricky and feels more like rock climbing than hiking. Looking for another hike in Anchorage? ADN Reporter Devin Kelly asked the Traffic department that exact question in July 2017. But Pugh and Cavanaugh werent homesteaders or pioneers. The local HOA agreed to create a small public parking area in the cul-de-sac at the top of Honey Bear Lane, dedicate an easement to Chugach State Park, and maintain the roads and parking area. The legislature approved $100,000. Traveling to the East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass. Disputes about whether use of land is sufficiently continuous, open, and hostile to create a prescriptive easement can be contentious. The trail begins about a quarter mile ahead. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Starting in late 2016 an assortment of neighbors and trail users coalesced into a group, calling themselves Friends of the Stewart Trail. The emails, the blog posts, the relentless confrontations. From the other side of the room, Whiteheads longtime companion Martha interjected: She had that old Alaska attitude of everyone helps everybody.. Back inside, Team Landmine asked Whitehead whether Ivan or Oro Stewart had ever been concerned with granting permission to traverse the Stewart Trail. I think theyre a waste of money, and if he wants to spend all of his time looking at people coming and going I feel sorry for him. McKinley). My mom grew up hiking these mountains, I grew up hiking these mountains, and now my kids are growing up hiking these mountains in the Alaskan spirit where folks cheer them on and enjoy the next generation growing up in the outdoors enjoying the adventure. Make noise, carry bear spray, and follow other best practices for traveling in bear country. Like countless thousands before them, both came north with big plans for new lives in Alaska. We have several options. Thats my final thought.. And Cavanaughs blog reflects a genuine, if somewhat cheechako, appreciation for the wildness of his adopted home. The hike is excellent and goes through to McHugh Peak, and can connect to other trailheads from there. Documents obtained by the Landmine show that, starting in 2016, residents began a concerted effort to block members of the public from parking in the neighborhood. And they didnt walk into the quasi-lawless Anchorage of decades past, where it may have been possible to seize longstanding public access with threats and gates. thats why the city originally made it apart of the development of the neighborhood to create and maintain the honey bear access in the first place- now I do believe that additional funds to expand the parking perhaps should be granted. I dont recall her telling anyone to leave. Several Assembly members spoke in favor of Pease, citing her experience in land use issues and strong work ethic. sean, as article explains your neighborhood has such problems with trash, parking, etc because yall VOTED to stay out of the parks area so you could keep dodging that parks tax. Falsey followed with letters dated March 2, 2016, and April 20, 2016. Others thought that Pugh wanted to change municipal policy related to trail development and park access requirements for new developments. Later, Pugh recovered the memory cards, identified each of us, and compiled his footage into a video. Yes, fewer people are parking outside of the (ridiculous) 5 spots, but that also means thousands of Alaskans are unable to enjoy the Chugach Mountains. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Yes, Dennis, you and other landowners including the developer of the Southpointe Subdivison, have done your best to shut down access to the ridge between Turnagain Arm and Potter Valley, which extends to the Ruby Peak referenced in the article. Meanwhile, HOA members suddenly found themselves financially responsible for an increasingly popular de-facto state park trailhead. It leads along an old roadbed that can be steep and muddy in sections. Hikers determined to follow the crest of the ridge may find some adventurous Class 3 scrambling, but steeper sections are generally easily avoided by moving onto the north side of the ridgeline. Alaska, I can't give it the five stare ratings it deserves, maybe we can all get together and change things back to the way they should be!". Those who happen to live outside the parks service area, including some of Anchorages wealthiest residents, enjoy full access to Anchorage parks but pay no taxes to support them. Snow Bear Lane is a public access road and illegally blocked. In the end, the current land owners affected by the prescriptive easements have a wonderful opportunity to establish a positive legacy for themselves and their heirs by working nicely with the community. A January 6, 2017 article by ADN reporter Devin Kelly, titled Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. . Take left on Snow Bear Dr.. Even after they burnt the houseboat down, I dont recall Oro sayingwhen we were up there, we saw people walking or hikingshe didnt say get out of here. It was just Hi, how are you doing? that kind of stuff. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. The Rabbit Lake trail uncoils a little into multiple paths, though it remains easy to follow. 2023 Bear Valley Resort. I was up there in the 60s. We have no way to create parking, or pick up the trash. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. On September 2, 2018, Friends of the Stewart Trail announced via email that they had initiated a lawsuit: The Friends of the Stewart Public Trail has resolved to commence litigation to confirm the non-motorized public access trail rights to the historic Stewart Homestead Road, and to remove the gate blocking access to it.. Pugh began prominently displaying a large revolver on his hip, and reportedly began driving close behind nervous hikers with his truck. I havent listened to the Porcaro show (and wont), but saying that someone has committed a crime is, if untrue, slander per se. Weekly hike Locations; Archives; 2022; Welcome to the Alaska Outdoors; 2021; Trailhead Direction; Photo Album; 2020; Bear Valley Trailhead provides ample parking for larger vehicles with trailers. We had explained the situation to our hiking partners, and both were curious to see the trail for themselves. In 2018, as it became increasingly clear that the Municipality and Great Land Trusts negotiations with Pugh had failed, the group began fundraising for a potential legal challenge against Pugh and Cavanaugh. Anchorage outdoor writer and journalist Craig Medred told the Landmine that once, while battling his way down the Stewart Trail during a storm, he had been picked up by the wind and flung through the air into a ditch. From the summit either retrace your steps or drop off the ridge to the south for a cross-country downhill to the McHugh Lake Trail. At first glance, this would appear to be an astonishing value; buildable lots nearby often sell for $150,000/acre or more. I dont know what grand designs they had when they purchased the property but its really too bad, because I think theyve turned the whole neighborhood against them, needlessly.