Explore the Knik Arm's Ice Fields
Details
Distance
0.5 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Chase Huntzinger
The Knik Arm's mudflats are easily accessible in Peters Creek, and during the winter provide an amazing chance to explore the sea ice. This sight is guaranteed to take your breath away.
Alaska's Knik Arm has an impressive tide. When out, the mudflats appear, and in the winter, massive, beautiful pieces of ice are left behind. The ice fields provide a great place for an easily accessible adventure. The ice chunks, coupled with the amazing views of the mountains to the east and the land across the inlet make this a perfect location for an adventure. There is a good chance you will not encounter anybody else, so enjoy the amazing view and the serenity. The ice fields will leave you awestruck.
Brief Advice: Venturing out onto the mudflats is dangerous as it is very easy to get stuck walking in the silty mud. In the winter, the cold temperatures make the ground more firm, but it is still good to stay relatively close to the tree line. Feel free to explore, but as a general rule-of-thumb, if your feet are starting to sink it is probably best to head back.
Directions: Head North on the Glenn Highway. Take the next exit after the exit for Chugiak High School. Turn left onto Birchwood Loop Road. Continue straight onto Birchwood Spur Road as if you were going to the Birchwood Airport. As you are getting closer to the airport, turn right onto Stoltze Dr. Shortly after turning onto this road, you will cross over Peter's Creek. Immediately after the bridge, to the left you will see the trail in the trees running along the creek, and there is a pullout area for parking to the right. Once you start on the trail, walk for approximately 1/2 a mile and you will come to a clearing at the Knik Arm. Continue walking along the edge of the trees to the right/north (the shooting range is to the south). The ice fields will soon come into view.
Know for
Nearby
🌎
Local adventures
Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Anchorage.
🏕
Nearby lodging
Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Anchorage.
Reviews
Leave a ReviewHas land recently went private?
Started the hike and noticed various “no trespassing” signs on the main trail. I decided to take a side trail along the river which was pretty but eventually the trail came to an end and there were more “no trespassing” signs in both directions. The gun range described seems to be very close to the left of me walking. Ended up eventually turning back before making it to the ice fields as there was no trail and I really started to get the feeling I was trespassing.
2.0
Awesome
In January you get the fog over the mountains between 10-12. Pretty much all frozen but be careful almost fell through couple times.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.