‘Winter Trail Day’ draws crowds to new rec area

HATCHER PASS — Drizzle didn’t keep 170 residents away Jan. 12 during Winter Trail Day. Many came out to the new Government Peak Recreation Area near Hatcher Pass to try out Nordic skis and snowshoes and lessons on new trails.

“Considering the weather, I believe we had an excellent turnout from the community,” said Warren Templin, a Mat-Su Borough recreation specialist and one of the event organizers who kept people warm in an area without electricity with burning wood in warming barrels. “We went through 120 packages of hot cocoa and 50 packages of apple cider.”

The borough, REI, Mat-Su Trails Council, Mat-Su Ski Club and Alaska Trails hosted the event.

Farther up the mountain, State Park Ranger Amy O’Conner was giving tours of the avalanche rescue cache and snowshoe tours of the independence Mine Complex. She also set up the avalanche beacon testing station that allows self-guided instruction of the proper use of rescue beacons to locate other members of your group. Some 30 people attended.

An even larger turnout is expected next Winter Trail Day given a chalet and community center will be built. This year participants had to fill out paperwork under REI’s gear-changing canopy or else have water rolling down their backs.

For more information, visit hatcherpass.com.

Winter Family Fun Day is Feb. 2

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats’ eighth annual Winter Family Fun Day is from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 2. Come enjoy a day of winter activities at Reflections Lake on the Palmer Hay Flats. Skis, skates and snowshoes will be provided for free.

After skiing, skating or snowshoeing enjoy a cup of cocoa and a cookie around a warm fire. Hope to see you there. Location: Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge at the Knik River Exit at Mile 30.5, Glenn Highway.