Lee Helzer will lead "The Young Dragon's Tail" with a duration of 3 hours somewwhere in The Chugach Front Range.
Meet at the corner of Upper De Armoun and Canyon road at 6:15 p.m. We will carpool to the end of Canyon Road and the start of the Epic. We will run out Rabbit Creek Trail to Ptarmigan Pass and then ascend Flaketop Peak. We will return via the ridge. Microspikes are recommended.
Lee Helzer will lead "Rays on Rainbow" with a duration of 3.5 hours somewwhere in Turnagain Arm.
Correction! The epic will be on Thursday (3/26), not Friday as previously posted.
Meet at 6:30 in the Telephone Pole Rock parking area (on the left after Beluga Point) on the Seward Highway. We will head up to the Turnagain Arm Trail and then diverge onto a ridge heading towards the Black Mesa. From there we will continue with ice ax and micro spikes up the North Face of Rainbow Peak (hopefully) enjoying a beautiful sunset along the way unlike last year’s fierce wind and snow.
From the summit we will take the standard route back to the Turnagain Arm Trail and return to the cars. There are out and back opportunities for those not desiring partaking in the full enchilada.
Lee Helzer will lead "Beaches and Sunsets" with a duration of 2 hours somewwhere in West Anchorage.
Meet at the Little Campbell Lake parking lot in Kincaid Park at 6:30. From the lake we’ll make our way to the coast and take the icy beach to the bluffs where we will (hopefully) marvel at the wonderful sunset. We’ll exit the great sand dunes and take a series of trails back to the beach on the lake. **Micro spikes Highly recommended** and expect wet feet if temps are above freezing.
Lee Helzer will lead "McHugh's Left Flank" with a duration of 3 hours somewwhere in Turnagain Arm.
At 6:30 we will depart from McHugh parking area and attack MuHugh’s left flank then return via the standard ascent trail. Micro spikes and an ice axe would be wise.
Lee Helzer will lead "Waning Gibbous Phase" with a duration of 2.5 hours somewwhere in The Chugach Front Range.
Meet at Glen Alps trailhead for a 6:30pm departure. We’ll head up the Powerline trail, but diverge shortly after to access Nintendo Hill. Once on the ridge we’ll cross the ball field in search for prime critter habitat and return via Williwaw Lakes and Middle Fork trails.
Lee Helzer will lead "You Are Not Forgotten" with a duration of 3 hours somewwhere in Eklutna.
Meet at 6:30pm in the parking area at the start of Eklutna Lake road. Due to limited space we will carpool to gravel pullout at about mile 4.5 on Eklutna Lake Road by electric pole 74. We will then hike up the road to electric pole 85 where we will depart the road and head up to the monument, pay homage, and return. Please allow extra time for traffic delays.
Lee Helzer will lead "SNOTEL - The Search Continues" with a duration of 2.5 hours somewwhere in The Chugach Front Range.
We will depart from Prospect Heights trail head at 6:30pm and head up the Middle Fork Trail where we will continue the search with hopefully better beta for the mythical outpost that uses meteorites to communicate. There should be little bush whacking. After searching for the outpost we’ll return via the Powerline Trail.
Lee Helzer will lead "SNOTEL" with a duration of 2.5 hours somewwhere in The Chugach Front Range.
We will depart from Prospect Heights trail head at 6:30pm and head up the Powerline trail. We will hang a left to investigate some “trails” visible via satellite imagery that should lead us across the South Fork of Campbell Creek. After crossing the creek we’ll bushwhack to 61° 6′ 53″ N, 149° 40′ 1″ W and search for a mythical outpost that uses meteorites to communicate. After searching for the outpost we’ll return via the South Fork Trail.
Lee Helzer will lead "Rendezvous Ridge" with a duration of 2.5 hours somewwhere in JBER.
Meet at 6:30 pm in the pull out just before the parking lot at the end of Arctic Valley Road. We will head up to Rendezvous Peak then take the ridge back to exceptional berry picking. After our mouths are blue and bellies full we’ll descend towards Ship Creek and catch a trail maintained by the local moose and bear population.
Lee Helzer will lead "Mount Elliott" with a duration of 4.5 hours somewwhere in The Chugach Front Range.
Meet at Glen Alps parking lot at 6:30pm. We will head up Nintendo Hill, cross the Ball field, skirt around Williwaw Lake, and ascend Mount Elliott. We will return via the Middle Fork Loop Trail.
Lee Helzer will lead "Sheep Thrills" with a duration of 2.5 hours somewwhere in Turnagain Arm.
Meet at 6:30 pm at the Falls Creek Trailhead on the Seward Highway. We will proceed
via bushwack and scramble to Sheep Thrills Ridge to explore. The primary objective will be to find good locations for EPIC engagement photos.
Lee Helzer will lead "The Rays on Rainbow" with a duration of 3.5 hours somewwhere in Turnagain Arm.
Meet at 6:15pm (note the earlier time) in the Telephone Pole Rock parking area (on the left after Beluga Point) on the Seward Highway. We will head up to the Turnagain Arm Trail and then diverge onto a ridge heading towards the Black Mesa. From there we will continue with ice ax and spikies up the North Face of Rainbow Peak (hopefully) enjoying a beautiful sunset along the way.
From the summit we will take the standard route back to the Turnagain Arm Trail and return to the cars. There are out and back opportunities for those not desiring partaking in the full enchilada.