After leaving Anchorage, just 30 minutes west, you can drive into valleys that reach the Eagle River and Symphony Lakes trailhead. This trailhead acts as an access point to a variety of terrain that you can cover a little or a lot of. The Eagle River flows alongside pathways that open up to hanging valleys and hidden glaciers.

As you climb into this alpine area, you may even find your way to Eagle and Symphony Lake. Both are known for their stunning features and translucent colors. This is an area for high adventure or maybe just to saunter along and take in the vistas.

This location is great for wild berries but is also known for bears, so be bear-aware while out—make noise on trails, carry bear spray, and store food properly. Established campgrounds are located nearby, next to the Eagle River Nature Center, which provides hiking trails and interpretive information. Meanwhile, the trailhead to the lakes is within Chugach State Park boundaries and may require a permit for wilderness camping.

Hatcher Pass waits just a little over an hour from the Eagle River area. Twist along the side of the

The Little Susitna River as you drive into this historic mining area. The Independence Mine State Park sits at the center of the pass, offering the chance to experience old and current mining practices firsthand. Many small trailheads surround this area, as well as longer day hikes and access to wilderness areas.

Sport and traditional climbing are scattered between hikes and the rolling alpine hills. Some days, you may even spot paragliders drifting on the thermal winds from the jagged peaks of the Talkeetna Range. This space is another favorable area for a variety of recreational choices.

After winding through the impressive views of the Mat-Su Valley, you will be eager to explore this natural abundance. Purinton Creek is an exceptional spot to pull off, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery. This site is located by mile marker 89 off the Glenn Highway.

Within the bounds of this 12.7-mile point-to-point trail, you can careen through wilderness either on foot or using an ATV or motorized vehicle. The route features steady elevation gain, leading you through coniferous forest and culminating in peak views of the valley.

Some yards from the road is a rock suitable for climbing. This area has an assortment of routes, most already bolted, and sections for traditional climbing. Summits on these routes will showcase the broader landscape and scenery.

These activities are centrally located at the same base as Glacier View Adventures. The ATV journey will take you high into the alpine, through mud and dirt. You’ll cruise along the Matanuska River, through fields and forests, with possible wildlife sightings. Take your own ATV or experience a professional guide driving you in a UTV.

The zipline option features two different lines. One is the Nitro tour, which is over a quarter of a mile long and reaches speeds of 30-40 mph. After a nice scenic walk on the forest floor, you’ll soar over the treetops, adrenaline pumping.

The G2 line offers a bit more, with almost a half-mile in length and speeds of 45 to 60 mph! Not only that, but the 250-foot cliff that you promptly sail over after your feet leave the launching deck. This line gives transcendent views of the ice giant, the Matanuska Glacier, and suspends you over the valley.

This area is away from the crowds and takes you to some of the MICA Guides’ favorite features. These routes are curated to provide the climbing experience you have been searching for. You may find yourself dropping into moulins or immersed in the deep blues of crevasses and curving ice walls. Feel the flow of your crampons biting into persistently thick ice walls as ice tools flick into vertical features, showering you in glacial shavings.

Want to save energy and add to the experience? Check out these helicopter options.

The elements of the glacier are a moving, ever-changing piece of art you get to explore. Pristine water flows through the ice’s curvatures. The glacier’s slight movements become audible as ice sheets shift, echoing off the walls. You may even look into the depths of seemingly endless crevasses, showcasing hundreds of feet of extremely thick ice. The rhythmic movements and scenery will become hypnotic as you venture into this new world.

A simple trip on paved highways from Anchorage to Glacier View can become monumental. This winding road is more than just awe-inspiring views. Lending attention to moments of transition will give you a connection to the last frontier. These you can only acquire through experience.