High Ridge Loop Trail

 I've noticed a couple of lakes on the map and wondered how to access them. I could see that there are some trails in the Crevasse Moraine, Mat-Su Greenbelt area that do lead towards them, but have never seen a sign pointing to them on any of their well-marked trails. I wondered if they might actually be accessible by road from Palmer, so using Apple Maps on my phone, I asked for directions to them. One is High Ridge Lake and the other is called Baird Lake. I tried following the GPS using the road system from Palmer. Both showed routes from the Glenn Highway. I tried driving to each of them but in both cases, I came to forks in the road where both forks had Private Road signs. So now the original road access has been taken over by private property. However, The AllTrails app on my phone does show a loop route around both lakes that begins at the Crevasse Moraine Trailhead. So, I decided to see if I could follow it using the app as a GPS. I started on the Outer Trail from the parking lot and stayed on it until I passed the sign for Top Loop. Soon after that, the app showed I had missed the turn to the left that leads to the loop. I turned around and followed the arrow until it showed where I needed to turn. I would never have even noticed that narrow little unmarked pathway without the app showing the way. I turned there and followed the narrow but easy to follow path until I came to a junction where I could go either way and remain on the loop, according to the app. I took the left route. It meandered up and down through ridges and trees and I finally found myself overlooking High Ridge Lake. The views were spectacular of the Chugach Mountains, and Pioneer Peak. There were so many trees that they did block part of the view. Someday I'd like to hike down to the lake for a better view. I walked on the ridge high above the lake, then Baird Lake came into view off to my right. There I found the ruins of an old log cabin and nearby on a tree, was a beautiful hand made sign that read High Ridge Trail. There was even a metal gate there, but it was open. There were a couple of trails heading down to the left from that spot. I imagine they lead to the roads I had tried to drive on before reaching the private property signs. There was another wooden sign that read Baird Lake Trail. I continued on the loop around Baird Lake until I linked up with my original trail. I did see a couple of other alternate unmarked trails that likely linked up with the Greenbelt trail system. But there were never any of the usual Borough trail signs to indicate where they lead. I was surprised to run into a trail runner coming towards me. I guess there are others who know this trail loop well. I found a blue plastic chair that faced an amazing view over High Ridge Lake, and put Bella on it for a picture. Soon after, we were back on the Outer Trail and made our way through the mud and a few huge puddles back to the trailhead and my car. I'm so glad I ventured out to finally find those lakes. I'm sure I will go there many more times now. They're certainly not as well used as most of the main trails.  I enjoyed the seclusion and peacefulness. I could tell Bella was having fun too. 

This is the unmarked trail off the Outer Trail that leads to the loop