Winter Valley & Forest Hike

This guided winter hike carries you from downtown Anchorage into the quieter reaches of Chugach State Park, along trails in the Eagle River valley. Your group travels through boreal forest with snow-laden spruce and birch, pausing to learn about plants, forest ecology, and signs of wildlife hidden under snow.

The path leads toward Barbara Falls, transformed in winter into a frozen cascade of ice and crystalline beauty, where your guide illuminates glacial origins, seasonal hydrology, and ice formation processes. Walking time is moderate (~4–5 hours total including transit and trail), covering several miles on groomed or lightly packed paths, with optional microspikes or snow traction provided as needed.

Wildlife sightings - such as hare, voles, or winter-active birds - may grace the trail, especially during quieter moments. At the end, you return to Anchorage, enriched by quiet forest ambiance and a softer perspective on Alaska’s winter landscape.