rope suspended cart
May 28th, 2002 | 06:29 AM
#1
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rope suspended cart
In a reply to a post dated 2-8-02 a person mentioned a hand pulled rope suspended cart that crossed a gorge on a hiking trail somewhere around Alyeska Resort. This was all the information they gave. Does anyone have any information on what the trail name is,where the trail head starts,how far up the trail it is,any phone numbers or web sites that I could use to find out more.
I planned on taken the Alyeska Tram while on vacation this summer, But this is something that my wife and I would enjoy more.
Thanks to all that will be able to help us with this adventure.
I planned on taken the Alyeska Tram while on vacation this summer, But this is something that my wife and I would enjoy more.
Thanks to all that will be able to help us with this adventure.
May 28th, 2002 | 09:19 AM
#2
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Mike, I'm unfamiliar with a suspension crossing in the area. But, if one exists, it is most likely to be on the Crow Creek trail. That is a portion of the original Iditarod (as most trails in the area are) that runs through the Chugach between the Girdwood area and Eagle River. It is also an historic trail for the mining ruins along the way.
There used to be one of those suspended crossings at McCarthy, but I've heard that it was replaced with a bridge.
There used to be one of those suspended crossings at McCarthy, but I've heard that it was replaced with a bridge.
May 28th, 2002 | 09:45 AM
#3
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Hmm, I think that must have been my post. I had read about this trail in a magazine, but didn't have the details or name. When I got to the Alyeska resort where we stayed two nights, I asked the concierge who actually couldn't tell me a single thing about any hiking trails. All she could do was book package tours -- very frustrating. But someone in the lobby overheard my question and gave me simple directions. We did it and had a great time -- so here is the plan:
Go out the back of the Alyeska resort and near the ski lift, turn to the left. There are signs for the trail -- sorry I don't know what it is called. You follow a wood boardwalk through much of the "rainforest". Eventually you will reach the cable car over the "gorge" which you pull yourself across on. I would say it was nearly an hour's walk from the resort to that point. After crossing the gorge, you continue on the same trail. Eventually it reaches the entrance to the old mine attraction which is at the end of the road that the Double Musky restaurant is on. We followed that road all the way back into town (going past the Double Musky. The total time for this hike was about 4 or 5 hours.
The hand pulled cable car had just been built by a local hiking club less than a year before we went last summer. I'm sure that a tourist office in town would now have more information about it, and hopefully any other concierge who was not spending the first day on the jog (as ours apparently was) should also be able to help.
Sorry this isn't more accurate -- and hopefully someone can come up with a website or better information or even hiking maps.
Go out the back of the Alyeska resort and near the ski lift, turn to the left. There are signs for the trail -- sorry I don't know what it is called. You follow a wood boardwalk through much of the "rainforest". Eventually you will reach the cable car over the "gorge" which you pull yourself across on. I would say it was nearly an hour's walk from the resort to that point. After crossing the gorge, you continue on the same trail. Eventually it reaches the entrance to the old mine attraction which is at the end of the road that the Double Musky restaurant is on. We followed that road all the way back into town (going past the Double Musky. The total time for this hike was about 4 or 5 hours.
The hand pulled cable car had just been built by a local hiking club less than a year before we went last summer. I'm sure that a tourist office in town would now have more information about it, and hopefully any other concierge who was not spending the first day on the jog (as ours apparently was) should also be able to help.
Sorry this isn't more accurate -- and hopefully someone can come up with a website or better information or even hiking maps.
May 28th, 2002 | 01:27 PM
#4
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To: Patrick....
Unfortunately your experience with the concierge is all too common. The way Alaska works in the summer time is that the tour operators from outside pay up to 20% commissions for referrals. This is especially common in Denali. If you'll notice some of my previous postings, you'll see that I really only recommend Alaskan owned and operated businesses. I actually operate something of a referral/reservation service myself, but refuse to participate in the gimmicks and hype of the tour companies.
This is just common sense in my opinion. When I travel outside, I want my hosts to be from the region and sincerely concerned with my opinion of the area. There are many, many more reasons for "going local."
First off, you are assured that the money you spend will stay in the economy that you supported on your vacation. Secondly, you are frequently greeted and treated by the owners themselves. Then there is the area knowledge as well as culture. And, you also get to glean from their personal experiences.
As it turns out, Alyeska Resort is owned by a Japanese company. It is also a common practice for these outside companies to hire college students from around the nation if not the globe. So, these kids read a book once and apparently are qualified to represent Alaska? Pucky!
I say whether you are seeing Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, or Any-State USA, DON'T LET A TOURIST BE YOUR GUIDE.
Unfortunately your experience with the concierge is all too common. The way Alaska works in the summer time is that the tour operators from outside pay up to 20% commissions for referrals. This is especially common in Denali. If you'll notice some of my previous postings, you'll see that I really only recommend Alaskan owned and operated businesses. I actually operate something of a referral/reservation service myself, but refuse to participate in the gimmicks and hype of the tour companies.
This is just common sense in my opinion. When I travel outside, I want my hosts to be from the region and sincerely concerned with my opinion of the area. There are many, many more reasons for "going local."
First off, you are assured that the money you spend will stay in the economy that you supported on your vacation. Secondly, you are frequently greeted and treated by the owners themselves. Then there is the area knowledge as well as culture. And, you also get to glean from their personal experiences.
As it turns out, Alyeska Resort is owned by a Japanese company. It is also a common practice for these outside companies to hire college students from around the nation if not the globe. So, these kids read a book once and apparently are qualified to represent Alaska? Pucky!
I say whether you are seeing Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, or Any-State USA, DON'T LET A TOURIST BE YOUR GUIDE.
Jan 9th, 2003 | 06:43 AM
#6
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I don't know the trail your talking about, but I found the Tourist Office in Anchorage on Fourth Ave. had alot of helpful information on hiking trails in the area. It lead me to a trail out past Alyeska that led to an abandoned gold mine.
Their website is http://www.anchorage.net/1.cfm
Maybe they can help you out.
Their website is http://www.anchorage.net/1.cfm
Maybe they can help you out.
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Jan 10th, 2003 | 05:57 PM
#8
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Chris
We did the trail you're talking about last summer and found it to be quite interesting.
It's the Winner Creek Trail, which begins behind the Alyeska Resort. Patrick gave rather accurate info on trail conditions, directions and times. The bridge is listed as being 2 3/4 miles from the hotel. Just beyond the bridge on the left, we found a wonderful spot for lunch overlooking the creek and enjoyed hearing hiker's comments as they crossed the bridge. The tram is about another 5 min walk. I'm not good with swinging bridges, but thought the tram was great. People on the banks pulled us, almost too fast, across the creek.
We continued on the trail to make a loop which became the Iditarod Trail. This was a bit more difficult to follow and before we arrived back in town, found ourselves fenced into a school yard. Seems they had fenced the area off to remove toxic waste from the school grounds. We were eventually able to go over or under the fencing and make our way back into town. I'm sure everything is nice and cleaned up by now.
Enjoy your trip.
We did the trail you're talking about last summer and found it to be quite interesting.
It's the Winner Creek Trail, which begins behind the Alyeska Resort. Patrick gave rather accurate info on trail conditions, directions and times. The bridge is listed as being 2 3/4 miles from the hotel. Just beyond the bridge on the left, we found a wonderful spot for lunch overlooking the creek and enjoyed hearing hiker's comments as they crossed the bridge. The tram is about another 5 min walk. I'm not good with swinging bridges, but thought the tram was great. People on the banks pulled us, almost too fast, across the creek.
We continued on the trail to make a loop which became the Iditarod Trail. This was a bit more difficult to follow and before we arrived back in town, found ourselves fenced into a school yard. Seems they had fenced the area off to remove toxic waste from the school grounds. We were eventually able to go over or under the fencing and make our way back into town. I'm sure everything is nice and cleaned up by now.
Enjoy your trip.
