Go in the morning or evening on sunny days to avoid the majority of the crowds. I once went up the new side and came down the old side just for fun and it took a VERY long time to walk all the way around the Butte to get to my car. Make sure to take the same trail down as you took on your way up. You may want to bring a light jacket with you if you plan to picnic at the top. Once you arrive at the top, expect a lot of wind. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to get to the top depending on which trail is used and your hiking ability. In the summer be sure to wear mosquito repellent on the 'new side' trail, because much of it is wooded. It is a more gradual climb with switchbacks and even a staircase for a portion of the hike. The 'new side' trail (off of Mothershead Rd) is the only maintained trail. It is sometimes difficult to climb the old trail in the rain because the steep trail can get very muddy. If you are climbing in the summer time, expect to get very dusty on the old trail. You'll find steep slopes, great views of Pioneer Peak, and a direct route to the top. The 'old side' (by the reindeer farm) is a more adventurous climb commonly used by locals. The Butte is about an 800ft elevation gain and the top has a 360 degree view of the valley featuring the Knik Glacier, Lazy Mountain, Sleeping Lady and Pioneer Peak. Murdock Charitable Trust, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, NOAA, Rasmuson Foundation, Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program, and many generous individual donations.A classic valley hike for both locals and visitors. This project was made possible through funding from the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the Alaska Waterfowl Association, ConocoPhillips, The Conservation Fund, ERM Group Foundation, Gateway Community Council, JL Properties, Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation, M.J.

Barn Gable Loop (you will have already passed the other end of this loop), and the parking lot and trailhead are on the right.

Just past Machetanz Elementary, take a left onto S. Nelson Road past the Wasilla Creek Trail parking lot until you see Machetanz Elementary School on your right. Go through the traffic circle and take the exit onto South Trunk Road. Take the Trunk Road exit and turn left onto Trunk Rd. GETTING THERE: From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway north towards Wasilla. The area is called Quggesh, which means swan. The area is also the location of a former Dena’ina village site and holds cultural significance. A trail to the north takes you on a 1-mile upland loop through a beautiful birch forest, with more views from the bluff out into the Refuge. A trail to the south takes you down a boardwalk and out to the viewing platform at Swan Lake where you’ll get views of the Palmer Hay Flats and the Chugach Mountains in the distance. If you’ve enjoyed the Wasilla Creek Boardwalk & Trail, you’ll love visiting Swan Lake. This spring, the access to Swan Lake was finalized, GLT and Fish & Game staff built a connector trail out to the road, and the Swan Lake Boardwalk & Trail are now open to the public! The nearby Wasilla Creek Boardwalk & Trail opened in 2016, while we waited on opening the Swan Lake Boardwalk & Trail until the adjacent housing development was completed. Next GLT raised money to build wetland boardwalks out into the Refuge from two different trailheads, providing stunning and never before seen views and access to fishing and wildlife watching spots. In 2014, Great Land Trust raised $1.5 million to purchase nearly 1,000 acres of private land – making the largest private inholding within the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge open to the public. View Project Map Swan “Quggesh” Lake Boardwalk & TrailĪ new trail in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge is now open to the public!

Reflection lake trail alaska