Taking to the trails

One of the best parts of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is the fact that in about three miles, you can get lost on a trail and spend an afternoon enjoying the solitude and comfort of the outdoors.

Mountain biking and hiking opportunities teem in the Valley -- from Sutton to Trapper Creek -- and on any given day, you can find people lacing up their hiking shoes or preparing their mountain bike for a trek up a rocky trail.

A perfect way to get some exercise, and have a good time in the process, is to head to Hatcher Pass for a day of exploring. Bring a good pair of hiking shoes and get lost on the various trails for a while. You'll get a great deal of exercise while enjoying one of the most scenic places in Alaska. Located just a few miles north of Wasilla, Hatcher Pass has plenty of well-maintained roads to mountain bike, and plenty of trails to hike. Archangel Falls is a good day trip for erstwhile hikers and bikers.

For adventurous hikers, Matanuska Peak in Palmer can be a challenge. A round-trip hike to the peak and back covers nearly 4,000 vertical feet. Be prepared for a hike of this magnitude -- bring plenty of water, a first-aid kit, good clothing and dress in layers.

Also in the Palmer area are the Butte and Lazy Mountain, two good, moderate hikes that offer spectacular views and the chance to do a little climbing on your way.

On the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, the Crevasse Moraine system has plenty of groomed trails for hikers and mountain bikers. The trail system is heavily used, so exercise caution when taking to the trails.

North on the Parks Highway, Talkeetna has plenty of trails for hikers and bikers.

A great resource for ideas is the book 55 Ways into the Wilderness, which recently came out with a new edition. There are several hikes in the book that take place in the Valley, and several more that are within an hour's drive of the Valley.

Backpackers and bikers looking to make an overnight trip should remember to be prepared for encounters with wildlife on some of the more remote trails. Also, many of the trails are inaccessible by vehicle, and caution should be taken when starting campfires, which can lead to major forest fires due to the remote locations.

"Leave No Trace" camping is something every hiker and biker should strive for. What you pack in, make sure to pack back out so that others can enjoy the scenery and the fun of Alaska's backcountry.

The outdoors are everywhere you look in the Mat-Su. Some of the trails are marked and are very popular, but countless more are just there -- waiting to be discovered by curious hikers and those taking a two-wheeled approach to getting there.