You’ve got your backpack, your hiking boots and your bear spray. You’re poised at the trailhead — or are you? Shouldn’t there be a sign? Is that narrow footpath, leading straight uphill through the trees, really where you’re supposed to go?
Welcome to hiking in Alaska, where hard-working trail crews ensure that some of our trails do, in fact, come with the usual bells and whistles like navigation signs, switchbacks and even a few spectacularly situated open-air toilets. Meanwhile, some of our other trails are literally a wide spot in the road with a footpath zooming straight up a mountain.
What’s a visiting hiker to do?
Pack your independent streak
First, a little research. Most mapping apps — AllTrails, GaiaGPS and Komoot to name a few — should have most of our major trails in them, although the accuracy of the trail names varies.
You might be surprised by how quickly some of our hiking trails take you beyond range of cellular service, so it’s always a good idea to download your route in advance and, if you’re out for anything more than a very short day hike, consider bringing an old-fashioned navigational aid — like a map and compass, supplemented by a good guidebook — in case your phone battery dies or the screen gets broken.
As long as we’re on the topic of what to carry, I strongly recommend looking up the “10 essentials‚” a mind map of sorts for what you should have to address needs like navigation, shelter, water, food and fire in case of emergency. (A rundown of the 10 essentials list can be found on the website of the National Park Service.) It’s a very flexible system that can be tailored to the sort of outing you’re undertaking; my 10 essentials kit for short day hikes fits in a quart-size zip-close bag.
There’s one other thing you should always have with you, and it’s small enough to fit in any pocket: the peace of mind that comes from having filed a trip plan. That’s as simple as letting someone you trust know where you’re hiking to, how you plan to get there, plus when — and who — to call for help if you haven’t checked in by a designated time. The more identifying details you supply, such as your vehicle make, model, color and license plate, the color of your outerwear, and the color/make of your tent and backpack, the easier it becomes for people to send help or find you in case of emergency.
Hey, Boo Boo!
There’s a funny push and pull when it comes to seeing wildlife on a hike. On one hand, it’s thrilling. On the other, meeting critters like moose and bears can be pretty scary, too — a perfectly normal reaction to wild animals that are much larger and stronger than you and have their own opinions about how your encounter should work out.
Consider, however, that there are plenty of bears and moose inside Anchorage city limits, too. They’re just so remarkably good at blending in that we often zip right by without realizing they’re there. They are living proof that most of the time wild animals want nothing to do with us, and will avoid us if given an opportunity.
That same principle plays out on hiking trails, over and over: As long as you travel in a group, make noise so critters can see and hear you coming, and avoid places you know are likely to generate an up-close encounter (for example, hiking beside salmon streams when the fish are running), bears and moose will usually melt out of your way so quietly, you’ll never even know they were there.
If you do happen to see a bear or moose, give them plenty of distance. And, as you may already have heard, never get between a mother and her young of any species, no matter how relaxed she might seem. Trust me on this one — it is a trap.
If you’ve done both of those things and the critter is still interested in you, it’s time to make some choices. With moose, the answer is simple: If you can get far enough outside their “bubble” that they no longer perceive you as a threat, they’ll leave you alone. In theory that means running away but, since even Usain Bolt can’t outrun an angry moose, you’ll probably end up having to keep something substantial between you — a solid tree is ideal. For all their strength and speed, moose don’t corner all that well.
There’s more nuance to handling up-close bear encounters, and expert advice used to be determined by what species the bear was: Black bear or brown (grizzly) bear? Nowadays, biologists and other experts parse encounters out by their motivation: Is a surprised bear that feels the need to defend itself? Or is it an incredibly rare predatory attack?
Regardless of the answer, the No. 1 commandment for bear encounters is that you do not run. I’ll never forget interviewing a wildlife biologist who explained that because of a bear’s instinctive prey drive, “Even if it doesn’t want to eat you, it would love to chase you.”
That doesn’t mean you have to stay put. If you’re able to calmly depart the encounter without the bear following you, do. But if the bear does follow, the next step is usually to stand your ground, prepare any deterrents you’re carrying (such as bear spray, which is always a good idea to have along), and get increasingly loud and aggressive to deter Yogi’s interest. If a surprised and defensive bear makes contact, experts recommend that you play dead while protecting your head, neck and vital organs, staying quiet and still until the bear leaves the area.
And lastly, even though the odds are incredibly slim: If you do believe you’re experiencing a predatory attack, your mission is just the same as it would be with any other predator. Fight back to save your life.
Gear
OK, so your No. 1 survival tool, your brain, is packed full of information. You know where you’re going, you’ve filed a trip plan and you know how to handle wildlife encounters. But what on earth are you going to wear whilst engaged in your fabulous outdoor adventures?
The answer: Dress in layers. This is the same principle as carrying a jacket or sweater you can throw on if you find yourself getting chilly, or take off if you find yourself getting too warm. But because Alaska’s weather can be moody and quick-changing, it’s usually best to think in terms of a base layer (long underwear) that you wear under everything else; a weatherproof outer layer to keep out wind and rain; and an insulating layer, usually made of fleece or wool, that you wear in between the two. In really cold weather many Alaskans turn to puffy layers, made of down or synthetic materials, for lightweight warmth.
Try to avoid cotton as much as you can. That’s because when it gets wet — whether from wind-blown rain or your own sweat — cotton actually saps the heat from your body instead of making you warmer. That heightens your risk of hypothermia which, yes, is possible even during the summer.
Don’t forget a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Some people really benefit from the ankle support and sturdy foot protection of boots whereas others, like me, feel more comfortable in lightweight hiking or trail running shoes.
The most important thing is that whatever footwear you choose has great traction and is sufficiently warm to keep you comfortable. After all, the old adage that “there is no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” is very much true here in Alaska — and you wouldn’t want to miss a day of your trip.
Lisa Maloney is an Anchorage-based writer and author of numerous outdoor and travel guides, including “Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska,” “50 Hikes Around Anchorage,” “Moon Alaska” and the newest edition of “Alaska Off the Beaten Path.” Contact her at lisa@maloneywrites.com, and follow her adventures as @hikingalaska on most social media.