Southcentral Community: Eagle River-Chugiak
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Eagle River-Chugiak, nestled in the Chugach Mountains just outside of Anchorage, is the perfect place to anchor your vacation. A beautiful setting that is only fifteen minutes from all that the city of Anchorage has to offer and adventure in every other direction. In Eagle River itself you will find the Southcentral Alaska Museum of Natural History. Exhibits include Alaska dinosaurs, minerals, fossils and wildlife displays of black and brown bears and is open daily during the summer.
Highly recommended is driving the Eagle River Road. This 12.7-mile road is paved and a beautiful trip into the Chugach Mountains. It ends at the Eagle River Nature Center in Chugach State Park. The log cabin visitor center is open daily in summer and features wildlife displays, handouts for hikers, naturalist programs and telescopes for spotting Dall sheep in the surrounding mountains. There is also an outdoor picnic area with more telescopes and a stunning view of the Chugach Mountains.
There are two popular hiking trails at the Nature Center. The easy Rodak Nature Trail consists of a loop of less than a mile that passes a series of interpretive panels and an impressive observation deck straddling a salmon stream. Albert Loop Trail is a three-mile hike through a boreal forest and along Eagle River.
The Nature Center also serves as the northern trailhead for the Old Iditarod Trail, a 26-mile historic trail. Gold miners and dog-sled teams used the route until 1918, when the Alaska Railroad was completed from Seward to Fairbanks. It is a three-day hike through excellent mountain scenery and up to Crow Pass, where you can view nearby Raven Glacier and Crystal Lake. From here you hike down the Crow Creek Trail and emerge on Crow Creek Road, south of Anchorage in Girdwood.
In mid-July, Eagle River-Chugiak holds the five-day Bear Paw Festival. Beginning in 1985, the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce created the Bear Paw Festival to celebrate the community and to share the bountiful beauty of the area with others. The Festival has grown along with the community since its creation and draws a crowd from all over the region. The Festival features events such as the Teddy Bear Picnic & Family Fun Day, a wonderful Eagle River Renaissance Village with great family entertainment, a Classic Car Show, Miss Bear Paw Pageant, Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Bear Paw Classic 5K Run, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Bear Paw Chili Cook-off, Dog & Owner Look-a-like Contest, Tri-Bear-a-Thon, 300 Yard Fun Run (because after 300 yards it isn't fun anymore!) and the highlight of the weekend - THE GRAND PARADE! The parade is one of the largest in the state. In addition, there are carnival rides and games for one and all!
Details
Photo By: Steve Hillebrand
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Lake in Glacial Valley
Population: 30,000
Location: Eagle River-Chugiak is located within the Municipality of Anchorage, between Fort Richardson and Chugach State Park.
Access: By road via the Glenn Highway, about 15 miles northeast of Anchorage.
Accommodations: Two hotels/motels, 10 bed & breakfasts, one campground, all services and conveniences.