2-5 day small ship explorations. Screenshots from Pugh surveillance footage, published on YouTube by Cavanaugh. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. 99516, If only people had been more proactive before the route along the ridge betweenRead more . You should see a Soccer field, Ray Storck Homestead park. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. The wind howling through the mountains threatened to push our vehicle off of the icy streets, and the windsock at one residents helipad blew parallel to the ground. Langley replied that the streets were not fire lanes. All trails are flat. Those who park on nearby streets risk tickets from APD, though enforcement is uneven and the legality of the No Parking signs and tickets has been questioned. he spells it out pretty clearly: the city cant you with litter, parking, etc. Which one is right for you? Roadblock on Snow Bear Lane, photographed November 29, 2019. In other posts, Cavanaugh and his friends joke about scattering shells on the Stewart Trail and painting crosshairs onto his signs to intimidate trail users. A vehicle gate was installed across the mouth of the Stewart Homestead Road, but pedestrian access remained unimpeded. The wind-swept tundra and rocky ridgeline is easy to follow and runs at a relatively shallow angle, though there are two prominent notches during which youll lose (and regain) about 150 feet of elevation each time. Make noise, carry bear spray, and follow other best practices for traveling in bear country. At the ridgeline, views open up north toward downtown Anchorage. None of those access points offer the same kind of grade perfect for young children and people of limited mobility with unfettered views up and down valley. Christopher Matthew Cavanaugh confronts Alaska Landmine Editor-in-Chief Jeff Landfield, Anchorage journalist Craig Medred, and the author on the Stewart Homestead Trail, June 2019. The room hummed with quick, whispered conversations. Carpooling to the trailhead is highly recommended. The letters are reproduced below. Evidence of continuous, open use of the Stewart Trail dating back to 1976. A man answered the door. No, no, no, they never had a problem with people going up there! Take left on Snow Bear Dr.. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Mar 16: Turnagain Arm McHugh Trailhead. 2-5 day small ship explorations. 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. At the front of the room, Friends of the Stewart Trail attorney Tom Meacham nodded. The battle for the Stewart Trail has spilled over into a bitter civil war on the Rabbit Creek Community Council, into heated Anchorage Assembly meetings, onto talk radio and into cryptic op-eds published by the ADN. The Alaska Landmine is a owned and operated by Speedogate Media, a division of the Landfield Global Group. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. The summit of McHugh Peak in mid-February, with North and South Suicide Peak in the background. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Families walked dogs, jogged, berry-picked and ambled into the tundra for panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. On either side of the gate, Pugh had apparently built elaborate fortifications of twisted branches, sticks and plastic fencing. Hi! Looking down the east ridge of McHugh Peak toward Rabbit Lake and the Suicide Peaks. ), but it is an official parking area. Pugh began prominently displaying a large revolver on his hip, and reportedly began driving close behind nervous hikers with his truck. 7-10 days is the most common. Proof: your dead end problem. One group of hikers began referring to the trailhead as Grumpy Bear.. These include difficulty communicating with those of more pedestrian aptitudes. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. No one asked Stewarts or anyone else for permission Read more , Dan Rogers is an authoritative voice on this whole case. We have no way to create parking, or pick up the trash. Jesse Aaronsen's review mistakes Canyon Road trailhead for this one. Difficulty: Class 2+(c4). But Cavanaugh almost immediately developed a hostile relationship with Stewart Trail users. However, it was clear that the RCCC meetings under Pughs leadership had accomplished one thing: a resistance had crystallized. Meanwhile, HOA members suddenly found themselves financially responsible for an increasingly popular de-facto state park trailhead. Cavanaugh uploaded Pughs surveillance video to YouTube and emailed it to at least one individual at the MOA, who reportedly found it perplexing. The trailhead provides quick access to a scenic alpine shoulder of McHugh Peak and some of the best blueberry picking around Anchorage. If Pughs purchase were simply a long-term investment, there would appear to be little incentive to alter the status quo. bushwacking thru alders and devils club). An informal survey of the neighborhood reveals that residents have been walking this trail since at least the mid-1960s. This site is not currently open to the public, but history buffs and others still visit it. Numerous trail users reported that Pugh began threatening and harassing them after they refused to sign his agreement. On August 18, 2018 he posted a photo of himself on the Stewart Trail on Instagram wearing a chest-mounted Glock 20. I knew his parents Dan and Helen starting in 1982 when we bought a lot in Mountainside Village and built a house. Yes historically it is an access point, but when many of these houses were built it was a barely used one. The trail also has a few stream crossings without bridges for the average adventurer. One individual speculated that Pugh wanted Potter Valley to secede from the RCCC and join the Bear Valley Community Council. Ivan and Oro Stewarts amphibious vehicle on the Stewart Homestead. Ivan and Oro married in Alaska in 1942, at the height of WWII. From those looking for a leisurely day hike to backpacking adventures, we have a great assortment of terrain to challenge and excite. In a 2016 Alaska Trails Survey, over seventy people stated that they had openly used the Stewart Trail for decades. Living in Bavaria I enjoyed learning about a local conflict like this in such a distant part of the world! (unless you trail-run, of course) If you start at the Bear Valley trailhead, the stats are: 5.4 miles round trip, 2,300 ft. elevation gain At the end of the article, Cavanaugh claims to have evidence of likely corruption within Anchorage up to perhaps the state level. Neither the alleged corruption nor the nature of the evidence are specified. People darted in and out of small huddled groups, yelled, and talked over a grimacing Pugh. Some doubted that Pughs RCCC had the political capital to affect public policy at all. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Alaska to many more hikes, and keeping our trailheads open andRead more . Yes, Dennis, you and other landowners including the developer of the Southpointe Subdivison, have done your best to shut down access to the ridge between Turnagain Arm and Potter Valley, which extends to the Ruby Peak referenced in the article. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. We are not even remotely involved in the Stewart controversy. Some residents began openly wondering whether the situation could tip into violence. If people suggest climbing Flattop, tell them youd rather climb Rendezvous Peak. 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. 10/16/2016 admin. come on, admit it,you know who did that. 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 dynamic is clearly at play in the battle for the Stewart Trail. Unless I missed a point- no where in this article does Alaska Landmine mention Private Property ownership Rights As longtime homesteaders of Potter Heights (60+ years) We knew The homesteaders that created Stewart road (the Millers were one) none of them did it to give the public recreational access to their land-Period!- Private property is just that- I stand with Frank Pugh, and other Potter land owners that want their privacy preserved. It reads, in part: Peases resume is legendary. At some point in 2016 the situation had reached the 8th Floor of City Hall, which houses the offices of the mayor and city executives. Pugh, flanked by his supporters, left the building. Turnagain Arm: Potter Trailhead is just the opposite side of Chugach State Park HQ. Back inside, Team Landmine asked Whitehead whether Ivan or Oro Stewart had ever been concerned with granting permission to traverse the Stewart Trail. Cavanaugh developed his own network of cameras to surveil trail users, and began confronting people on the trail. Before Pugh bought the property nighttime parties and litter were a constant problem. There are many unofficial trails, game trails, and old inholding trails in this area. The vast majority of McHugh is long, fairly relaxed Class 2 (hiking, light scrambling) ridgelines, but attaining the true summit requires a very short Class 4 climb up a cluster of large rocks. With the closure of the StewartRead more . Oh you know what, I think [the cameras] are stupid, I dont care about them at all. Fascinating read and quite thorough. The trailhead to this route provides access to Bear Mountain and Mt. North East Anchorage. Those with experience at a rock gym might wonder what all the fuss is about, but caution would still be wise. quarter mile away ya-no some people think just because there privileged! We had been told that the HOA occasionally plowed snow into the trailhead cul-de-sacs fire truck turnaround to discourage parking by hikers. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Conversely, the MOA is unable to spend public parks funding outside of the service area. Out of necessity, homesteaders built and travelled this road to reach their homesteads. It was trivially obvious that several spots on Honey Bear Lane would allow vehicles to pull fully off of the road surface and onto the shoulder. 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. Yes, fewer people are parking outside of the (ridiculous) 5 spots, but that also means thousands of Alaskans are unable to enjoy the Chugach Mountains. Site by. Car, train, or group tour. To pass, the ordinance needed to be approved at the ballot box by two groups: members of the current service area, and Hillside voters currently living outside of the service area. Follow the trail or strike out and find your own way up to Point 3,200. Few crowds and fantastic views. He did things right.. Overwhelmed by choices? Until access issues there are resolved, use the signed public trailheads to avoid problems. The ridge consists of several peaks and valleys, but height of drop is about 100-200 ft. This trailhead lacks the signage and trappings of most Chugach State Park trailheads (including the parking fee! Sure enough, small piles of snow had already been mounded in front of the No Parking signs. The man in the audience grilling Pugh about his handling of the re-zoning issue was Bert Lewis, an Anchorage fisheries biologist who had already begun organizing a neighborhood effort to reopen the Stewart Trail. Great article! Its up to them to choose how they want to be remembered. Wildlife Viewing. A January 6, 2017 article by ADN reporter Devin Kelly, titled Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. Great views!!!!! 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. Prescriptive easements can be frustrating for private property owners, but necessary for the free movement of people and goods. Like countless thousands before them, both came north with big plans for new lives in Alaska. This is an easy to moderate 3 to 3.5 mile hike depending on the route you take on the descent. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. One bought the property to make money off of a public trail & the other needs to remind us how smart he is. Was there a word count requirement on the article submission? The first mile is a straightaway past beautiful green lawns on both sides of the road, including the driving range for Moose Run Golf Course. The company runs all-terrain vehicle tours along a network of old logging roads in Bird . The trailhead parking lot can hold only 5-6 cars. A less developed trail continues on for another 2 miles, then quickly gains elevation to the pass. While they are fun to explore, unless you know the area well it would probably be fastest to stay on the main trail. Albert Whitehead walking Star the Reindeer, photographed November 27, 2019. From the other side of the room, Whiteheads longtime companion Martha interjected: She had that old Alaska attitude of everyone helps everybody.. Cavanaugh seems to have become particularly frustrated by the Anchorage Police Departments refusal to cite Stewart Trail users for trespass, and started taking matters into his own hands. All Rights Reserved. In her will, Oro Stewart divided her homestead tract between two beloved local organizations, the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Alaska Zoo. The usual kind of casual, Alaska Hello.'. 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. Take Kings Way to valley. And Im closing it. You know he might have said, Its my land., The man with the acetylene torch was Frank Pugh, and soon his gate was complete. Any claim that use of the Stewart Trail has not been continuous or open for decades would self-evidently fail the red face test. With these two conditions for an easement by prescription clearly met, Pugh made an interesting claim: trail users may have used the Stewart Trail openly and continuously, but did so with express permission of the Stewarts. 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. Seans citation of the sixth car problem is laughable, about as much so as a five car access point (thats 1 spot per 60,000 Anchorage residents) to a massive public use area. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Our old homestead is now Mountainside Village, which we developed and lived on until a dozen years ago. 3 and 4: 55 Ways to the Wilderness (1972). Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Most of the summits near Baldy and Mile Hi . want help with those problems (which exist everywhere in every city)? 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. Map showing Pugh Property and the Stewart Trail. PRIVATE PROPERTY. Below it was an illustration of a camera, and the words NOTICE: THIS AREA IS UNDER 24 HOUR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE.. I live by the park entrance off of Upper Huffman. Located 40 minutes north of downtown Anchorage in the Eagle River Valley, the center serves as the gateway to the Chugach. 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. Given all of that, its tempting to call Pease the Queen of the Mountain, but that would be shortsighted. Title: Bear Valley: Ray E Stork Homestead ParkLocation: Bear Valley: Ray E Stork Homestead ParkLink out: Click hereStart Time: 18:30Date: 2013-04-18End Time: 20:00, We hike around UAA park or Chester Creek Trail. Map showing Cavanaugh property and the Stewart Trail. This is a shame, because the location provides access to a beautiful section of ridgeline upRead more . 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. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The hike is excellent and goes through to McHugh Peak, and can connect to other trailheads from there. From national parks to guaranteed views, Anchorage is in the heart of bear country. One longtime local resident and trail user told the Landmine that Pugh chased him down the trail, yelling Dont come on here! But if youre hoping to score a prime parking spot, this trailhead is best tackled on weekdays or in the off-season. . Bear Valley Hike has 4.7 stars from 27 reviews. In early 2018 Pugh became Chair of the RCCC, and Cavanaugh became Vice-Chair. Whichever route you take, youll end up on McHughs east ridge. Ultimately you're responsible for yourself and your group. A group of residents banded together and offered to pay for an easement, but Pugh reportedly told them they did not have enough money. Sic burn, Paxson! Pugh, it seemed, dreamed of finding real estate riches in the steep slopes of upper Potter Valley. The piece also neglects to acknowledge that there are multiple access points to Chugach State Park other than Stewart Trail. Flattop is arguably Alaskas most popular (and therefore, most crowded) mountain; Rendezvous is far less crowded and offers better views from the summit. It has received 27 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars. Governor Kevin Meyer. For more about how the information on this site should be used, please click here. Excellent trailhead, but limited parking. The Bear Valley area is a hiker's paradise! Eklutna. It all seemed like so much work. At least one section of road corridor was wide enough that we reached the STOP message at the end of our 35-foot measuring tape. Pugh later repeated his accusations to the audience of an Anchorage crime town hall hosted by Lt. The McHugh peak is a rock crown at the end of the ridge. Frank I dont know how long youve been in the area, or where you live, but my folks homesteaded the 1/4 section north of Earl Hutchins old homestead (Doc Schoffs place, to us kids as he bought it from Earl). Partly because it becomes snow-free so early in the season, the McHugh Creek drainage is notorious for bear sightings and encounters. It has highlighted how decades of compounding errors in city planning have created so much dysfunction that one rogue landowner has been able to seizeand, for years, successfully holdcontrol over more land than any other individual in the Municipality of Anchorage. After about a mile and a half, the McHugh Lake Trail passes the base of a prominent rock and tundra gully with a small trail leading up it. The road changes name to Black Bear Dr and sharp left to Honey Bear Ln. Looking for another hike in Anchorage? Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. As a young man, Whitehead spent long weekends camping on Ruby, watching dall sheep bound between the crags. The northeasatern bowls and ridges of McHugh Peak are wide and there are countless ways to move through them. Private Tour: Anchorage 3-Hour Tour 31 Recommended Bus Tours from $623.57 per group (up to 12) Sunset City Tour 16 Bus Tours from $149.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest 173 Bus Tours from $129.00 per adult 2022 Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience. Measuring road widths on Honey Bear Lane, November 29, 2019. Its western flanks enfold several of South Anchorages hillside neighborhoods and dont flatten out until they reach the New Seward Highway. Eklutna. Whose side are you on?. In early August 2017, a new figure emerged on the Stewart Trail. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. The legislator laughed. Meacham insisted that the MOA was, in fact, providing as much help as it could. 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. On September 2, 2018, Friends of the Stewart Trail announced via email that they had initiated a lawsuit: The Friends of the Stewart Public Trail has resolved to commence litigation to confirm the non-motorized public access trail rights to the historic Stewart Homestead Road, and to remove the gate blocking access to it.. 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. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. The Bear Valley area is a hikers paradise! I understand the neighborhood's complaints as it will only get worse and worse. McHugh is often climbed from one of three public trailheads: the McHugh Creek trailhead off the Seward Highway, the Rabbit Lake trailhead at the top of Canyon Road, or the Bear Valley trailhead at the top of Honey Bear Dr. Map of McHugh Peak, with the three most well-known routes marked. Make sure you check outthe world-famous Sequoia trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park and the serene forests of the Arnold Rim Trail. There is one section of the trail that becomes singletrack. At the end of Honey Bear Ln., take right to the trailhead. This is a great hiking place. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Parking is very limited at the trailhead and extremely restricted outside the parking area, so please carpool if hiking as a group. Anchorage is the best spot to start a visit to Alaska's iconic bear viewing locations. beyond that, it is just ridiculous that ppl on the upper hillside are dodging the park taxes anyway. Despite the public announcements, documents suggest uncertainty and lingering questions about the accuracy of the new No Parking signs. Ill just make a brief comment that if you have to pay to be a part of a society that declares you have high intelligence, well you aint that smart to begin with. The battle for the Stewart Trail has aroused powerful emotions: anger, annoyance, fear, frustration. Ive got this now and all of a sudden nobody can use or appreciate it because its mine all mine. Its really sad. Just past the first private drive, we immediately noticed several large boulders blocking vehicle access on the roadway. Some developers appreciated her work, and highlighted trails that Pease had pushed for in their real estate listings. My name is Paxson. When weather is good, you have wonderful view of mountains. In a 2018 phone call, one exhausted legislator described the situation as an emotional shitshow.. Parking is a huge problem. The creek is generally low and easy to cross. Alaska The hike was awesome both times I did it!!!! 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. After quarter miles of going through low brushes, you will be out of tree zone. By Paxson Woelber, with additional reporting by Jeff Landfield, bringing the entire Hillside into the parks service area, Some Anchorage homeowners dont pay taxes for park upkeep. I dont know what grand designs they had when they purchased the property but its really too bad, because I think theyve turned the whole neighborhood against them, needlessly. Prospect Heights Trailhead; Upper O'Malley Trailhead; Upper Huffman Trailhead; Glen Alps Trailhead; South Anchorage. There is certainly exposure, and a fall from the summit rock could be severely injurious or fatal. Share this: . quarter mile away ya-no some people think just because there privileged! Oro passed away in 2002. Brett Woelber on the summit of Ptarmigan Peak, with the west ridge of McHugh Peak rising out of the clouds in the background. Prepare to walk a ways longer than expected due to the location of overflow parking. But there is a problem with this characterization: the Anchorage Police Department (APD) is a department of the MOA, and the MOA had determined that the Stewart Trail was public. Bear Valley, The hike is excellent and goes through to McHugh Peak, and can connect to other trailheads from there. The net climb from the trailhead to the summit is 2200 feet. The six mile round trip requires three to five hours of hiking time. By this point, many influential people in the broader Anchorage community had become aware of the bizarre drama unfolding on the Stewart Trail and at the RCCC. Wow. Great views. Great views. Bear Valley Hike is a Hiking area located at 10471 Honey Bear Ln, Bear Valley, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, US. Climbing the Valley. The business is listed under hiking area category. Citing precedent and practicality, Fire Marshall Cleo Hill and representatives from the Traffic Department refused to approve the gating of a public road. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Wolverine Trail, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA . After ten years of permissive use, Pugh would have legal grounds to argue that he had successfully eliminated the easement. A great assortment of terrain to challenge and excite Bear Ln., take right to trailhead. Cruises in Alaska a vehicle gate was installed across the mouth of evidence... 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