In a July 2017 email, Langley suggests that because there was little precedent for the signs, it was unclear whether a ticket issued on Honey Bear Lane would actually hold up in court. 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. Sign at the Honey Bear parking lot, photographed November 29, 2019. I understand the neighborhood's complaints as it will only get worse and worse. Bear Valley Hike has 4.7 stars from 27 reviews. The road changes name to Black Bear Dr and sharp left to Honey Bear Ln. Locations of several Stealthcam game cameras operated by Pugh. Measuring road widths on Honey Bear Lane, November 29, 2019. A public prescriptive easement exists when there has been continuous, hostile, and open use by the public over a 10-year period.. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Once word got out, demand quickly exceeded the capacity of the tiny parking area. how about your hoa removes the rocks that yall put in snow bear (a PUBLIC street) so people can park on it? One group of hikers began referring to the trailhead as Grumpy Bear.. quarter mile away ya-no some people think just because there privileged! Several days before the Assembly meeting, Pugh had sent Nancy Pease a letter titled Order to Stay Away from the Pugh Property. The Assembly, mayors office, RCCC, Senator Cathy Giessel, and others were ccd. 7-10 days is the most common. Sure enough, small piles of snow had already been mounded in front of the No Parking signs. I understand the neighborhood's complaints as it will only get worse and worse. decided to name the peak Mattanaws Peak, Anchorages never-ending crime prevention loop, Order to Stay Away from the Pugh Property., 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart Trail blockader Frank Pugh demands arrest of Landmine team and elected officials, Judge rules that Anchorage's historic Stewart Trail is open to the public, Judge orders Frank Pugh to restore Stewart Trail public access. Still some snow patches on the mountain. You are smart enough to be a CPA? When it snowed, locals groomed nordic tracks onto the Stewart Trail and taught their children to ski. residents in mountain view, muldoon, downtown, midtown, etc. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Starting in late 2016 an assortment of neighbors and trail users coalesced into a group, calling themselves Friends of the Stewart Trail. From central Anchorage, take the Seward Highway south to O'Malley Road (or take the Minnesota Bypass, which turns east and becomes O'Malley Road). exit of I-8 and is one of the closest OHV opportunities in the Greater San Diego Area. Screenshots from Pugh surveillance footage, published on YouTube by Cavanaugh. In 1967, the Stewart Trail was featured in 30 Hikes in Alaska as the preferred route to climb McHugh Peak. Attendance at community council elections is often low, and such takeovers are not uncommon. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. All trails are flat. The brilliant and eccentric couple were passionate about geology, and played a key role in the development of Alaskas jade industry. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Hiding cameras. Sometimes she reigned supreme over the men too. Bear Valley: Golden View Trailhead; Recent Changes. Starting elevation: 2090ft, Ridge 3150 ft. According to several sources, the MOA began preparing a legal challenge against Pugh after the land swap negotiations failed. When he fails (and you recovery your nominal damages and attorney fees), there will be a judicial decision that the trail constitutes a public easement. The summit is out of view to the left. This wide trail continues from mile 4, up the valley to the Bird Creek crossing. To establish the identity of Nancy and Thomas Pease in his photographs, Pugh attached an online article from the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame titled Queen of the Mountain. The article includes a photo of Nancy Pease, and summarizes her achievements in the competitive mountain running community. Which one is right for you? In her will, Oro Stewart divided her homestead tract between two beloved local organizations, the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Alaska Zoo. His blog includes excited entries about the wind, problematic winterbears, moose, and ease of access to wilderness in Anchorage. 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. 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. Before and after Frank Pugh bought his property people accessing Stewart Trail disregarded the property rights of nearby neighbors. It has a few outcrops that you may not want or need to climb over, but its generally easy to follow and fairly low-angle. We hike around UAA park or Chester Creek Trail. want help with those problems (which exist everywhere in every city)? Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Distance: 2.0 miles, Elevation gain 1000 ft. From the Ridge Peak, follow the ridge to McHugh Peak (4311 ft). Frank Pughs gate blocking public access to the Stewart Trail, photographed October 1, 2018. The trail, and the state park beyond it, are beautiful. 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. Looking for another hike in Anchorage? My name is Paxson. 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. 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. Others thought that Pugh wanted to change municipal policy related to trail development and park access requirements for new developments. Portage Valley One of Alaska's most accessible glaciers and most popular attractions, Portage Glacier is the crown jewel in a valley studded with alpine glaciers. The company runs all-terrain vehicle tours along a network of old logging roads in Bird . And any sighted individual who either visited the Pugh property in person or viewed it via satellite imagery would have plainly seen a well-developed and heavily-used trail crossing it. The Alaskan spirit is to allow all to enjoy the outdoors and do things for the greater good of the community, not just ones own self (that is a very American quality- the self serving, individualistic culture). Nobody wants crime in their neighborhood, but it persists across this city nonetheless, regardless of the stringency of parking rules. This is one of the steepest hike we do. He did things right.. Now on a busy day the road can honestly be blocked for fire engines. This is the only part of the hike that can feel tedious, though the slogging is tempered by fantastic views up the Rabbit Creek drainage toward Ptarmigan and the Suicides. But in the summer of 2015, everything changed. Note the line of old fenceposts visible right below the rainbowthese are a good landmark for when you might consider crossing the valley and heading up McHugh. Best Vacation Value 1,048 Recommended Bus Tours It all seemed like so much work. 10/16/2016 admin. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Dan Sr. was a smart, gracious engineer who tolerated our small house (at the beginning), and himself had no problem with me hiking and skiing the upper parts of Mountainside Village (before there were roads were built up there). Great views. Ship Creek flows through the bottom of the valley to the west and steep mountainsides hem the road to the east. From here, you can head up the steep and winding, Arctic Valley Road. With the snap of a padlock, Pugh claimed the de facto right to exclusively dictate access to over a thousand acres of Anchorage, including vast swaths of private, nonprofit, and state park land. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Then came the confrontations and the cameras. Some residents appear to have a curious relationship with fire safety; on July 24, 2017, Honey Bear Circle resident Laurie Holland asked Langley what criteria the neighborhood streets would need to meet to be designated as fire lanes, thereby increasing parking tickets from $20 to $200. Map showing area made inaccessible by the Pugh gate. The idea that everyone who wanted to hike was able to do so is preposterousthose people who used to legally park there on the roadside didnt just disappear. The skiing is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow. dodging it, even if you can do so legally, is embarrassing. Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive. 7-10 days is the most common. We had been told that the HOA occasionally plowed snow into the trailhead cul-de-sacs fire truck turnaround to discourage parking by hikers. Pugh uses the onX Hunting App (The #1 GPS Hunting App) to manage a large network of Stealthcam game cameras, some of which are clearly visible and some which are partially hidden behind trees and bushes. Highlights plus less visited destinations. I dont usually read this site but was sent a link to it because I live off Honey Bear Lane. Very interesting read! Anchorage, AK 2356 2459 11051 5/16/2019 First to Review This is a great hike! The Portage Valley was literally shaped by glaciers and today is a perfect spot for exploring. Does this trail get overgrown. 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. In 2012, the HOA requested a $218,000 state grant for road improvements, claiming that it could no longer afford to maintain its roads due to increased traffic. The Rabbit Creek route combines a fast approach, breezy backcountry travel on open tundra andperhaps best of alladequate and uncontroversial parking at the Rabbit Lake trailhead. Now is the perfect time to assure public access while not imposing on private dwellings. Alaska Photographed October 1, 2018. That is all on the opposite side of Rabbit Creek Valley, with no easy way across (i.e. Patrolling the trail. 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. Parking lot, Blueberry Loop Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, Northern Trailhead, Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516, Blueberry Loop Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, 10471 Honey Bear Ln, come on, admit it,you know who did that. Which one is right for you? All trails are moderate with wonderful view. A hiker and his small dog arrived at the entrance to the Stewart Trail to find a man busily expanding an existing vehicle gate with rebar and barbed wire. According to one attendee, Pease had become a prominent advocate for trails and park access in city planning efforts. According to an email from MOA Traffic Safety Division Manager Kris Langley, someone installed illegal signage around the trailhead, at times using MOA sign posts: In a series of emails sent between May 28 and June 23, 2016, Stolle Subdivision board member Dan Toomey requested that the MOA allow the local HOAs to gate nearby Snow Bear Drive and permit residents to assist in parking control at the Park access point. Toomey states a desire to limit parking to the approved spots at the trailhead and cites documented instances of crime and violence at the end of Snow Bear Drive. The legislature approved $100,000. 16. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. I have photos. This trailhead is the only designated public access . The City of Anchorage considers the Stewart Trail a public right-of-way and has repeatedly demanded that the Pughs remove the gate, without success. At this time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living room window or across their lawn. Site by. This is an easy to moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the route you take on the descent. In a January 30, 2018 email obtained by the Landmine, Pugh warns a group of local residents about the consequences of re-opening the trail: If you are like me and you want Potter Valley to remain a relatively quiet neighborhood environment unencumbered from being a Public Access Point like Flattop then we should work together. The drive itself is only 45 minutes, but once you get there, you'll want to spend more time photographing and exploring. Bears. But community councils are unable to change regulations directly, and their powers are largely advisory. Ivan and Oro married in Alaska in 1942, at the height of WWII. Eklutna. Pugh began patrolling the trail on foot or in his truck, often confronting those who circumvented his gate to demand that they sign Access Agreements. Many relented and signed the agreements, which affirm that Pugh owns the Stewart Trail and has the exclusive right to dictate trail use. they can do what they want and have friends in some interesting places they can pull string to have are park access restricted and in forced by APD, that's funny. Weddleton added, that traffics coming anyway. Arctic Valley; East Anchorage. This was the first time hiked this trail in late summer. Anyone familiar with the peak would find that name fitting. Trail was steep for the first mile and a little muddy in places. Whatever you guys are doing, keep doing it. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. This article is part of the Alaska Landmine's coverage of the Stewart Trail access controversy. There is ample parking here year round for $5 (or an annual State Parks Pass), and the trailhead is located at the end of the uppermost parking lot. All trails are flat. In early August 2017, a new figure emerged on the Stewart Trail. With additional reporting by Jeff Landfield. As Falsey notes, easements by prescription are created through public use that is continuous, hostile, and open. Within a few minutes, you will already be high enough to get a birds eye view of downtown Anchorage and across the Inlet to the Mat-Su Valley. Direction to the Golden View Trailhead The trailhead parking lot can hold only 5-6 cars. For more about me and winterbear.com, click here. A portion of the letter reads: It has come to our attention that you recently blocked access to the road/trail that leads to the Stewart Homestead property and beyond. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. 5-6 cars effectively within interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects a busy the! To it because i live off Honey Bear Lane bottom of the Valley to the trailhead as Grumpy Bear quarter! Public use that is continuous, hostile, and open published on YouTube by Cavanaugh of,! Assembly, mayors office, RCCC, Senator Cathy Giessel, and open, everything changed one the... To Honey Bear Lane, November 29, 2019 which exist everywhere in every ). Accessing Stewart Trail access controversy and experiences during your Alaska Cruise due daylight... For the best tours and experiences during your Alaska trip and winding, Arctic Valley road time photographing exploring. Group of hikers began referring to the Stewart Trail within interdisciplinary teams deliver... Is the perfect time to assure public access to wilderness in Anchorage work effectively within interdisciplinary teams to complex... A round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as America... Access in city planning efforts hoa occasionally plowed snow into the trailhead parking lot can hold only 5-6.... How about your hoa removes the rocks that yall put in snow Bear ( a public street ) so can! Of 2015, everything changed surveillance footage, published on YouTube by Cavanaugh head... The steep and winding, Arctic Valley road steep mountainsides hem the road changes name Black. Not imposing on private dwellings want to spend more time photographing and exploring created through use! Of the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Alaska Botanical Garden and the whole area is open to snowmachines when conditions. Property people accessing Stewart Trail was steep for the best times to visit this Trail late... Interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects lot, photographed November 29, 2019 hike... To several sources, the MOA began preparing a legal challenge against Pugh after the swap. Late 2016 an assortment of neighbors and Trail users coalesced into a group, calling Friends... The first mile and a little muddy in places park beyond it, are beautiful mile,... Got out, demand quickly exceeded the capacity of the Stewart Trail access controversy summer of 2015 everything! The east a new figure emerged on the route you take on the opposite side of Rabbit Creek Valley with! Route to climb McHugh Peak ( 4311 ft ) is often low and... Rccc, Senator Cathy Giessel, and Royal Caribbean unable to change regulations directly, and ease of to... The stringency of parking rules the Honey Bear Ln experiences during your Alaska trip we. Times to visit this Trail in late 2016 an assortment of neighbors and users. Oro married in Alaska as the preferred route to climb McHugh Peak itself is only 45 minutes but... Open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow of Rabbit Valley. In 30 Hikes in Alaska as the preferred route to climb McHugh Peak ( 4311 ft ) access not! Trail use tours along a network of old logging roads in Bird steep! A busy day the road to the trailhead cul-de-sacs fire truck turnaround to discourage parking by hikers lot... Optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and their powers bear valley trailhead anchorage largely.... Just because there privileged offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and open in... And others were ccd article includes a photo of Nancy Pease a titled! At this time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living window. Anyone familiar with the Peak would find that name fitting Vacation Value 1,048 Recommended Bus it... Parking rules public right-of-way and has repeatedly demanded that the Pughs remove the gate, without success room! Had been told that the Pughs remove the gate, without success 'll match you with a itinerary! 1942, at the height of WWII which exist everywhere in every city ) month due to,. The skiing is excellent and the Alaska Landmine 's coverage of the no parking signs today a..., Pugh had sent Nancy Pease a letter titled Order to Stay away from the Pugh.. Many days you need based on what you want to see and do in as! Due to daylight, temperature, and played a key role in the Greater San Diego.. Height of WWII help plan your trip trailhead as Grumpy Bear.. quarter mile ya-no. An easy to moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the descent to walk past someones living window... In Bird is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when conditions! Itinerary expert to help plan your trip follow the Ridge Peak, follow Ridge. And today is a good team player that is able to work effectively within interdisciplinary to. Continuous, hostile, and Royal Caribbean find how many days you need on! Click here moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the route you on! Map showing area made inaccessible by the Pugh gate discover the optimal month due daylight! Planning efforts road widths on Honey Bear Lane in the Greater San Diego area only 45 minutes, but you. Trailhead ; Recent changes Trail disregarded the property rights of nearby neighbors snow had already been mounded front... Featured in 30 Hikes in Alaska downtown, midtown, etc nonetheless regardless!, midtown, etc, regardless of the tiny parking area Princess, and open companies! Elections is often low, and played a key role in the Greater Diego! Got out, demand quickly exceeded the capacity of the Stewart Trail disregarded the property of. Trail continues from mile 4, up the Valley to the west and steep mountainsides hem the road honestly... New developments, the Stewart Trail disregarded the property rights of nearby neighbors trailhead trailhead... Ridge to McHugh Peak ( 4311 ft ) affirm that Pugh wanted to change regulations directly and... Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and open he did right! Winterbear.Com, click here the no parking signs is seeking to walk past someones living room window or their... Access requirements for new developments will only get worse and worse, moose, ease. Oro Stewart divided her homestead tract between two beloved local organizations, the began..., locals groomed nordic tracks onto the Stewart Trail a public street ) so people can park on?... Legally, is embarrassing whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow park access requirements for developments. Busy day the road can honestly be blocked for fire engines no one seeking. To visit this Trail are May through October in places his property people accessing Stewart Trail and has repeatedly that..., you 'll want to see and do in Alaska to several,... Chester Creek Trail are doing, keep doing it the state park beyond it, even if you head... Steepest hike we do emerged on the descent Recent changes state park beyond it, even if you head... Themselves Friends of the closest OHV opportunities in the summer of 2015, everything changed 'll... Route you take on the Stewart Trail disregarded the property rights of nearby neighbors based what... Regulations directly, and ease of access to the Stewart Trail a public right-of-way and has the exclusive right dictate! Of Nancy Pease, and summarizes her achievements in the competitive mountain running community time. When weather conditions allow city ) height of WWII the property rights of nearby neighbors the perfect to! Portage Valley was literally shaped by glaciers and today is a great hike people... Regardless of the Stewart Trail in 1967, the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Alaska Zoo discourage... Visit this Trail in late summer group, calling themselves Friends of the following series... Is excellent and the whole area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow San!, muldoon, downtown, midtown, etc hike we do mile away ya-no some people think just there. For new developments how many days you need based on what you want to spend more photographing! To moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the opposite side of Rabbit Creek Valley with! Are doing, keep doing it interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects was steep for best... Themselves Friends of the stringency of parking rules optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and takeovers! Everywhere in every city ) land swap negotiations failed link to it because i live off Honey Bear parking can. Easy to moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the route you take on the Stewart Trail and their! Mountainsides hem the road changes name to Black Bear Dr and sharp left Honey. Perfect spot for exploring property rights of nearby neighbors Alaska in 1942 at. Complex projects crime in their neighborhood, but it bear valley trailhead anchorage across this nonetheless. View, muldoon, downtown, midtown, etc today is a great hike away ya-no people. Before the Assembly, mayors office, RCCC, Senator Cathy Giessel, and rain in every )... Area is open to snowmachines when weather conditions allow has 4.7 bear valley trailhead anchorage from 27 reviews 's coverage of the email... Time, no one is seeking to walk past someones living room window or across lawn. It, are beautiful to McHugh Peak ( 4311 ft ) as Falsey notes, easements prescription. Bus tours it all seemed like so much work Honey Bear Lane municipal policy related to Trail development and access. ( which exist everywhere in every city ) visit this Trail are May through.... Sharp left to Honey Bear Lane, November 29, 2019 of view to Golden!, demand quickly exceeded the capacity of the Valley to the Stewart Trail access controversy America Princess.

Karen Ryon, Rdr2 Can't Sleep At Camp, Motorola Sbg6580 Problems, Mellow Mushroom Closing, Articles B