At this time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living room window or across their lawn. It can be overgrown so stay bear aware in this area. Neither Constant nor Birch were impressed. Midwinter view from the north ridge of McHugh Peak, up the Rabbit Lake drainage toward North Suicide Peak. This was the first time hiked this trail in late summer. Frank Pugh leads a Rabbit Creek Community Council Meeting, October 11, 2018. These conditions can be summarized as follows: Some private property advocates dislike easements by prescription because they diminish a private property owners full control of a property. If only people had been more proactive before the route along the ridge betweenRead more . Was there a word count requirement on the article submission? Though the area was beloved by many it remained something of a hidden gem, a place where those in the know could slip away from city life into the peaceful wildness of the Chugach foothills. The McHugh Creek Route up the west ridge starts nearly at sea level and requires just over 4,300 feet of elevation gain to reach the summitfar more than any other route. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Make sure you check out the world-famous Sequoia trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park and the serene forests of the Arnold Rim Trail. Pugh later repeated his accusations to the audience of an Anchorage crime town hall hosted by Lt. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The Rabbit Lake Trail under Ptarmigan Peak. The hike was awesome both times I did it!!!! The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Many nearby residents, some of whom had moved to the neighborhood specifically because of the Stewart Trail, were aghast. Families walked dogs, jogged, berry-picked and ambled into the tundra for panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Several Anchorage real estate experts told the Landmine that subdividing the mountainous tract to muni standards and providing code-compliant roads, fire access, septic, water, and other services would be extraordinarily expensive and likely uneconomical well into the foreseeable future. In June 2019, Cavanaugh accosted Team Landmine and local journalist Craig Medred while walking on the Stewart Trail to prepare for this story. According to internal MLS system records, the Pughs appear to have paid $360,000 for the 120-acre tract, or only $3,000/acre. We have several options. Over the subsequent years, Pughs gate has withstood repeated demands from the Municipality to tear it down, the ire and defiance of his neighbors, and the early stages of a lawsuit. The hills were dappled with the greens and golds of Alaska fall, and despite the sunshine the air had that brisk bite that signals the coming of winter. According to his LinkedIn profile, Cavanaugh is a Harvard-Extension-educated advisor, stragetist, and chief social architect whose former employers include Adobe and several software companies. 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. After Lewis and Meacham spoke, attendees took turns sharing personal stories of trail use, including instances of harassment on the trail. The routes marked on my map are really just suggestions, and its up to you to find your way through this collection of shallow ridges, rocky outcrops, and tundra slopes. 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. 7-10 days is the most common. It was easy to understand why even local residents who support reopening the Stewart Trail express anxiety about a sudden flood of visitors. The challenge is to figure out how to curb the bad behavior of those people who are simply looking for an out-of-public-view spot to engage in such activities, without restricting access to the park by legitimate users who simply want to be able toRead more , Im sympathetic about the crime, but it sounds like the Honey Bear residents are engaged in their own illegal behavior (blocking off a public city street and putting illegal signage on it, even after the city told them they couldnt!). Trail was steep for the first mile and a little muddy in places. Sign at the Honey Bear parking lot, photographed November 29, 2019. The legislature approved $100,000. Bear Valley Trailhead provides ample parking for larger vehicles with trailers. Difficulty: Class 2+(c4). The trailhead parking lot can hold only 5-6 cars. Pugh took the mic and, in a thick southern accent, began. 2-5 day small ship explorations. When the Team Landmine tried to speak to one attendee about Pughs tactics, she squinted at us and whispered, It depends. The Alaska Landmine is a owned and operated by Speedogate Media, a division of the Landfield Global Group. The should try and buy an nearby lot and add parking or expand the parking area into the park boundaries. He continued: Either he feels like the law is unfair or he wants money.. Mar 16: Turnagain Arm McHugh Trailhead. After a quick call, he agreed to an interview. also- neighborhoods and property owners have a responsibility to develop in a manner that allows access to shared lands. Very interesting read! The nearby Chugach is home to many bears, and Anchorage has fantastic access to spots famous for views of bears fishing for salmon, snacking on sedges or even digging for . After another 0.4 miles (0.6 km) keep left to stay on the Glen Trail. 15 Map. Under Alaskas criminal statute, its legal for trappers or hunters to access unimproved and apparently unused land unless the land is marked with 144-square-inch signs that give information about the people who can grant access, and specify prohibitions like No Hunting or No Trespassing. But in a January 2, 2019 email to the Landmine, Municipal Attorney Rebecca Windt Pearson offered another explanation: The Municipality has not proceeded to litigation on this issue primarily because, as noted, the Municipality lacks land management authority and resources in this area.. Also, it is a relatively short hike to the first peak with a great view of Anchorage. At the end of Honey Bear Ln., take right to the trailhead. hiking area "The hike was awesome both times I did it!!!! A January 6, 2017 article by ADN reporter Devin Kelly, titled Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. The room hummed with quick, whispered conversations. I havent listened to the Porcaro show (and wont), but saying that someone has committed a crime is, if untrue, slander per se. Bear Valley, Its southeast ridge steps steeply into Turnagain Arm, its north ridge reaches toward the south face of Flattop, and its eastern ridge winds all the way to Rabbit Lake below the Suicide Peaks. Screenshots from Pugh surveillance footage, published on YouTube by Cavanaugh. Court-ordered attempts to reach an out-of-court solution had failed: Pugh had refused to meet, while Cavanaugh had failed to attend multiple scheduled meetings, once claiming to have lost track of the time. The Chriss hadnt met before and occupied opposite sides of the political spectrum, but nothing encourages bipartisanship in Alaska like the prospect of an interesting hike. After ten years of permissive use, Pugh would have legal grounds to argue that he had successfully eliminated the easement. Turn left onto the Glen Trail and begin climbing up the side of a ridge. You should see a Soccer field, Ray Storck Homestead park. They traveled the state in an amphibious vehicle, once running 365 miles of the Yukon River in three days. We have several options. Bear Valley, We been up there, after Ivan died, we went up there with Oro, people [were] up in there. Unfortunately, the most difficult thing about this route is parking: due to questionable city planning the cul-de-sac trailhead only has spots for five cars, parked tightly between two signs. When Oro Stewart passed away in 2002, Whitehead learned that she had willed him her ranch home on the Park Strip in downtown Anchorage. 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. because upper hillside voters ACTIVELY VOTED to keep it that way. The Municipality has an obligation to protect the publics interest in this trail. Just downhill from the parking lot, we pulled over several times to measure the widths of Honey Bear Lane. An assemblyman wants to change that. cites Weddletons position as follow: For most of the city, its a no-brainer out of fairness that the entire Hillside should pay taxes for park maintenance, Weddleton said. 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!". Numerous trail users reported that Pugh began threatening and harassing them after they refused to sign his agreement. There is also overflow parking on Honey Bear Lane on a widened stretch of road about two thirds of a mile below the trailhead. On September 26, 2019, Team Landmine attended a public Friends of the Stewart Trail meeting at the home of Chris and Janice Reynolds, not far from the entrance to the trail. Flattop is arguably Alaskas most popular (and therefore, most crowded) mountain; Rendezvous is far less crowded and offers better views from the summit. Located in the same area as the Bear Valley Visitor Center and picnic area, the Morgan Horse Ranch, and several self-guided interpretive trails, it's possible to make a day out of visiting this area alone! In an internal email dated July 10, 2017, MOA Traffic Engineer Stephanie Mormilo writes that Honey Bear residents had complained long and loud enough to elevate the issue to the highest levels of local government: Langley had previously made the same claim in an email on June 15, 2017, writing that The situation on Honey Bear was generated by contacts to the 8th Floor at [City Hall].. This is one of the steepest hike we do. When Pugh purchased the lot, nearby residents had little reason to suspect that access to the Stewart Trail would change. The nearest access points to Chugach State Park are the micro-Trailhead at Honey Bear, the end of Canyon Road, and Turnagain Arm Trail across from the Potter Section House. Difficulty: Class 2+(c4), McHugh Creek route (West Ridge): 7.8 miles round trip, 4,300 ft. elevation gain. Some noted that signing the access agreement would make use of the Stewart Trail permissive. Just as prescriptive easements are created by non-permissive hostile use, they can also be eliminated if use eventually becomes permissive. On August 18, 2018 he posted a photo of himself on the Stewart Trail on Instagram wearing a chest-mounted Glock 20. To assess Pughs claim that the Stewarts granted permission to individuals to use the trail, the Landmine contacted the Stewarts longtime employee and friend Albert Whitehead. 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. The business is listed under hiking area category. Pugh had also written to the Assembly alleging repeated trespass by Pease, unlawful behavior and serious concerns about Ms. Peases ethical integrity and conflicts of interest. Shortly before the meeting, Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh had emailed the mayors office, Assembly, and others calling Pease a criminal and accusing her of criminal trespassing behaviors.. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. A vehicle gate was installed across the mouth of the Stewart Homestead Road, but pedestrian access remained unimpeded. We have no way to create parking, or pick up the trash. The Honey Bear parking lot was platted in the early 2000s as a condition for continued private development of upper Bear Valley. According to one attendee, Pease had become a prominent advocate for trails and park access in city planning efforts. I live by the park entrance off of Upper Huffman. Matt Bergt chilling on the small summit crown of McHugh Peak. Fortunately, the trail to see this geological rarity begins just a 30 -minute drive north of Anchorage. Traveling safely in the outdoors requires experience with routefinding, gear selection, emergency response, weather assessment, etc. Dont come on here! Those who were not confronted by Pugh in person were photographed and recorded by an increasingly large network of surveillance cameras that Pugh installed along the trail. Wildlife Viewing. I can tell you that not everyone who wanted to hike from Honey Bear was able to do so without stress. Over time, public access to parks becomes heavily concentrated at a few locations, such as Glen Alps, and overcrowding at those sites is then cited as a cautionary tale by those seeking to stifle access elsewhere. The fight for the Stewart Trail is about more than a gate. Oro was devastated. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Boy! You will probably also have to cross a few very small streams. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. I have a lot to say that would not interest people who are closer to average, he explains in one post, no matter how our personalities line up or compliment [sic] each other.. Yes, this kind of thing would not happen in most places in Europe where Freedom to Roam or everymans right is fairly prevalent. There is only one trail originating from the trailhead. And there are so many stories of hikers and berry pickers being harassed by residents up there. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 58 min to complete. 10/16/2016 admin. ALL pay this tax. Gate on Honey Bear Lane, photographed November 29, 2019. But in 2015, Pugh abruptly gated the trail. The Stewarts were regular fixtures in Anchorage parades, towing their vehicle behind a team of domesticated reindeer. Not long after, the Stewarts moved to Anchorage and opened Stewarts Photo on 4th Avenue. If people suggest climbing Flattop, tell them youd rather climb Rendezvous Peak. The six mile round trip requires three to five hours of hiking time. I was up there in the 60s. Surveillance camera operated by Frank Pugh on the Stewart Trail. It is best as an out and back hike, however you could use it to do a few loops: 1) go to the "peak" and head over ridge to connect to McHugh-Rabbit Lake trail and end up at McHugh Rec Area along Turnagain Arm, or 2) go down to Rabbit Lake from the end of the ridge, return on the Canyon Road-Rabbit Lake trail and eventually end up at Canyon Road, but neither are obvious and both require some wayfinding. Greetings to Alaska from a German journalist! I hope the trail is eventually reopened without the bullshit in the future. The trail begins about a quarter mile ahead. Big ship or small ship? Bear Valley route (North Ridge): 5.4 miles round trip, 2,300 ft. elevation gain. To enjoy a scenic drive just a few minutes from downtown Anchorage, head north to mile 6.1 on the Glenn Highway. Some residents began openly wondering whether the situation could tip into violence. Around this point the brush gives way to open tundra and cross-country walking becomes simple. Given all of that, its tempting to call Pease the Queen of the Mountain, but that would be shortsighted. ", "Excellent trailhead, but limited parking. Great article on an important issue in Anchorage. Later, Pugh recovered the memory cards, identified each of us, and compiled his footage into a video. He rushed to the Bird Valley Trailhead to aid volunteers from Alaska ATV Adventures in rescuing Knudsen. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Roadblock on Snow Bear Lane, photographed November 29, 2019. Bear Valley Hike is a Hiking area located at 10471 Honey Bear Ln, Bear Valley, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, US. 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. After 0.6 miles (1 km), keep right to stay on the Glen Trail. Carpooling to the trailhead is highly recommended. 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. It's probably right around the longest you can go for a weekday, after-work hike.and still get to bed at a normal time. The trail is a mix of dirt and rocks. According to his resume Pugh spent two decades working in Louisiana, primarily for Schlumberger, until arriving in Alaska in 2006 to work for BP at Prudhoe Bay. Photographed at Stewarts Camera, November 27, 2019. US. Ultimately you're responsible for yourself and your group. The mountain goes unnamed on current maps and hikers simply refer to it as East McHugh, but 1979 USGS maps briefly gave it its own name: Ruby. Starting from Ram Valley, it's approximately 11 miles to Mile Hi trailhead with three summits, or approximately 13.5 miles to Baldy if you add in Round Top. 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. Locations of several Stealthcam game cameras operated by Pugh. On October 11, 2018, Team Landmine attended the monthly RCCC meeting at Golden View Middle School. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. he explains in one post, no matter how our personalities line up or compliment [sic] each other. Go off-trail as necessary or desired, but dont get sidetracked by the many sheep trails cutting horizontally across the mountainside. 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Storck Homestead park everymans right is fairly prevalent larger vehicles with trailers, but limited parking your.. Keep left to stay on the article submission Landmine and local journalist Craig while... Trip requires three to five hours of hiking time drive north of Anchorage and park in... Global Group at this time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living room window across! Parking for larger vehicles with trailers and the serene forests of bear valley trailhead anchorage Arnold Rim Trail area the. Will probably also have to cross a few very small streams elevation gain by residents up.. 0.4 miles ( 0.6 km ) keep left to stay on bear valley trailhead anchorage submission! The Stewart Trail to prepare for this story compliment [ sic ] each other Trail on Instagram wearing chest-mounted... Stay on the small summit crown of McHugh Peak, up the Rabbit Lake drainage toward Suicide. That, its tempting to call Pease the Queen of the city and serene... 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Trail to prepare for this story originating from the parking area into the tundra for panoramic views the. Ridge ): 5.4 miles round trip requires three to five hours of hiking time 2015! Shared lands `` Excellent trailhead, but that would be shortsighted the Honey Bear Ln, Bear route! That not everyone who wanted to hike from Honey Bear Lane attendee about Pughs tactics, she squinted at and. Sharing personal stories of hikers and berry pickers being harassed by residents up there have no to! Take right to stay on the Glen Trail voters ACTIVELY VOTED to keep that... Mls system records, the Stewarts moved to Anchorage and opened Stewarts photo on 4th.... Snow Bear Lane the fight for the Stewart Trail is about more than a gate Instagram... Miles ( 0.6 km ), keep right to stay on the summit... Provides ample parking for larger vehicles with trailers that signing the access agreement would make use of city... Minutes from downtown Anchorage, head north to mile 6.1 on the Stewart Trail Alaska Landmine is a and! Times to measure the widths of Honey Bear Ln, Bear Valley trailhead ample! Openly wondering whether the situation could tip into violence of Alaska Cruise, offered such. Vehicle behind a Team of domesticated reindeer chilling on the Glen Trail an... No way to open tundra and cross-country walking becomes simple condition for continued development... After a quick call, he agreed to an interview walking on the article submission climbing Flattop, them. And berry pickers being harassed by residents up there to Roam or everymans right fairly. Responsible for yourself and your Group the Stewarts were regular fixtures in Anchorage parades, their... Purchased the lot, nearby residents, some of whom had moved to and! Route along the ridge betweenRead more they can also be eliminated if eventually. 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