This route is actually part of a race series at various ski resorts. They are having the actual race at Mt Alyeska Ski Resort this coming Saturday, July 29, 2023. The race directors have already flagged the course for the participants, which made it much easier for us to follow the true course. In places along the route there are areas of technical rock climbing, but it was possible to climb them without an actual belay, however, there were fixed ropes in three of those places making it safer. I relied on them heavily! There was certainly possibility of injury if one were to fall. But there were good hand and footholds. I wouldn't recommend this hike for anyone with a fear of heights though. Along the ridge there were also many places with loose rocks and shale, and I had to take care not to slip or dislodge loose rocks onto my hiking companions. I did this trip with three of the Valley Wanderers group. We were so lucky to have perfect weather. It was 70 degrees down in Girdwood, but much cooler up on the mountain ridges. During the uphill and rock climbing parts I got very hot, but the cool breeze helped to cool me down once up on the high ridges. Our total route was a little over 6 miles with an elevation gain of 3,890 feet. After descending from the ridge we walked through a magical dense forest. It was a rainforest full of lush green plants, wildflowers and gnarled trees. It looked like a place out of the Lord of the Rings movies. It was a difficult but very beautiful and rewarding hike with spectacular views of Cook Inlet, and the town of Girdwood as well as the surrounding mountain peaks. I have tremendous respect for those who have registered to do the actual race on Saturday, because it would be a very difficult course to even try to walk fast, let alone run.
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