Chugach Mountains, AK: Lost Lake
Bring plenty of supplies to this alpine plateau in the Chugach Mountains--you'll want to extend your stay.
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This thru-hike requires no arduous bushwhacking, delivers you quickly to spectacular alpine terrain, has a simple shuttle, and serves as a gateway to big-mountain exploring. The easy-to-follow Primrose Trail, just off the Seward Highway south of Kenai Lake, climbs through thick pine forest and emerges onto rocky ridgelines with views of looming 5,710-foot Mt. Ascension and the massive Snow River Valley to the east.
Continue to Lost Lake, at mile six, and cast for rainbows from open tundra at 1,920 feet elevation. Your basecamp: a pond 1.5 miles west of the lake, which has the best solitude, up-close vistas of the glaciers on Mt. Ascension, and days’ worth of tundra hikes through the alpine valleys of Martin, Primrose, Ship, and Boulder Creeks. Tip: Hike this route from the north for the best views, but start from the southern Lost Lake trailhead in bad weather, to avoid rain-laden headwinds off of the gulf. -Steve Howe
MORE INFO: Alaska DNR; dnr.alaska.gov/parks
Trail Facts
- Distance: 22.9
Waypoints
PTA001
Location: 60.33987, -149.373367
Walk through camping area to Primrose trailhead
PTA002
Location: 60.334026, -149.378113
Cross creek on plank footbridge
PTA003
Location: 60.334148, -149.380875
Bear right @ junction with snow-machine trail
PTA004
Location: 60.332584, -149.385956
Meadow opens to left as trail begins to rise
PTA005
Location: 60.325977, -149.399628
Cross plank footbridge
PTA006
Location: 60.325779, -149.40181
Spur trail on right leads down to small waterfall, great spot for lunch
PTA007
Location: 60.321758, -149.402969
Beware of rocky patch on trail immediately after log footbridge
PTA008
Location: 60.308079, -149.408997
Log bridge crosses burbling creek
PTA009
Location: 60.309391, -149.411911
Break in trees offers clear view of mountains
PTA010
Location: 60.308933, -149.4133
Cabin marks site of active mining claim (private property) and beautiful lake view. Trail proceeds to Lost Lake
PTA011
Location: 60.27275, -149.424437
Lost Lake
PTA012
Location: 60.274217, -149.497833
Good secluded campsite west of Lost Lake
PTA013
Location: 60.256508, -149.425392
Go south on Lost Lake Trail
PTA014
Location: 60.166888, -149.404056
Lost Lake trailhead
