Brand new Mirror Lake TRAIL CREW HATS!
Artwork by local artist Frances DeBlare. Mike volunteered 10 hours and got his!
Thanks Frances! Thanks Mike!
You can find volunteer opportunities at:
New Mirror Lake Trail Crew Hats!
Leave a reply
NC Machinery Sponsors New Trail Build at Mirror Lake
A new one-way downhill trail is coming to Raven’s Ridge at Mirror Lake Park! NC Machinery has donated equipment rental for this project. THANK YOU NC MACHINERY!
This new jump/flow line will allow riders and alternate line down Raven’s Hill to avoid the two-traffic on the existing trail. Work is slated to begin THIS SATURDAY July 18th.
Volunteers are needed Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th at Mirror Lake from 10 am to 5 pm both days.
This will be first volunteer led build out in Mirror Lake in several years, so come earn your turns!
Arctic MTB XCO 4 – Mirror Lake Mountain Bike Race
Arctic Mountain Bike Club cross-country MTB race Weds July 15th at Mirror Lake Park, Alaska. Kids race free! (with $10 annual youth membership)
Choose one two or three laps (Beginner-Sport-Expert, Youth race early.)
https://runsignup.com/Race/AK/Anchorage/Arcticbicycleclub
Start location: Mirror Lake Park
4.6 mile lap | 575′
Note adjusted start times:
*Wave 1 6:15pm*
*Wave 2 6:45pm*
*Wave 3 7:15pm*
*Wave 4 7:17pm*
Check in starts at 5pm. Please check in 30 minutes before your wave starts and pick up your timing chip.
Parents you are welcome to ride with your kiddos for the Elementary category. We ask that you please just give way to faster racer.
Categories
Open This is the most competitive category. Again, there is no age limit in this category, but it is intended for experienced, fit racers who have completed many races.
Intermediate A middle-of-the-road racer? Here ya go. There is no age limit in this category, and it’s intended for the racer who has done a few (or many) races, is familiar with race etiquette yet is not comfortable racing in the Open category….yet. That said, we discourage experienced racers who might “sandbag” this category when they should really be racing in the Open category. You know who you are!
Novice This is the place for anyone new to the sport of mountain bike racing. There is no age limit and no experience is necessary. It’s a great place to learn how to race. If you’re new to racing, we encourage you to enter this category until you’re comfortable handling your bike in a race situation and you understand the basics of race etiquette. The Novice category is also a good spot for the casual racer, regardless of experience, who doesn’t care about results and would like to help other Novice racers learn about racing
Master 50+ There is no experience necessary to race in this all-levels category. However, to enter the race in this category you must be at least 50 years of age as of January 1 of the racing year.
Single Speed (must have only one gear)
Juniors: The Junior categories are for anyone 17 years of age or younger. Use your best judgment to determine which category fits the athlete best. Age ranges are just examples.
Strider Bike – Generally 2-6 years old on bikes with no pedals, this category completes one shortened lap around the start/finish area.
Pedal Bike – Generally 2-6 years old and will complete one shortened lap around the start/finish area.
Categories: (Please pick the grade the athlete is going into in the fall)
Elementary (1 lap on a shortened course) – 1-5th graders
Middle School (1 lap on a shortened course) -6-8th graders
Highschool (2 laps on the full course) – 9-12th graders.
Juniors always race for FREE, regardless of what category they race in.
Race Formats
XCC – short for Cross Country Short Track, XCC races are true to their name: short and to the point. Most XCC races involve multiple laps of a ~1 mile course and take less than thirty minutes. Because of the short course, race categories start and race separately.
XCO – short for Cross Country Olympic, this is the tried and true, bread and butter mountain bike race: 60-90 minute multi-lap races, mostly on single track with some double track transitions.
XCM – short for Cross Country Marathon, this is the longer version of XCO, ranging from 120 minutes to more than 10 hours. Racers can expect longer transition sections on double track, paths and roads as compared with XCO.
CMBR Kids in the Bear Paw Parade
Hey CMBR Families!
Get ready to show your spirit, CMBR is joining the Bear Paw Parade in Eagle River on Saturday, July 11 and we want YOU there!
We’re rolling (or walking!) with candy to toss, banners to wave, decorated bikes, and good vibes to spread. Whether you ride or stroll, come rep your CMBR pride with us!
Here’s the scoop:
🎈 What: CMBR in the Bear Paw Parade!
Bring your bike (helmets required!) or your walking shoes, and your biggest smiles. We will need at least 2 walkers to carry the CMBR banner.
Bring some candy to hand out and we’ll have a banner to carry.
Bonus points if you wear your CMBR jersey or coach shirt!
📅 When: Saturday, July 11
⏰ Meet-up time: Between 8:30am–9:30am near Eagle River Elementary (exact rally spot TBA).
👨👩👧 Parent Note:
A parent is REQUIRED to ride or walk with their kiddo. Siblings welcome.
And if you can bring a little extra candy to share—we’d love it!
🎨 Bike Decorating Fun:
After practice on 7/9, we’ll have supplies ready so kids can deck out their bikes for the big day!
We can’t wait to parade through town showing off just how awesome our CMBR crew is. It’s gonna be a blast, let’s make some memories!
Please let us know if you are coming by signing up at check-in this week and next!
🚴♂️💥 See you there!
—The CMBR Kids Crew
2026 CMBR Kids Coach Meeting
All CMBR kids youth mountain bike head coaches and assistant coaches should attend. Sweeps are welcome but attendance is optional. Meet at Mirror Lake Park for a safety and orientation meeting.
Note: You do not need to bring your bike to the meeting, but some folks will be riding afterwards.
2026 CMBR Youth Bike Check
Free youth bike checks Thurday June 18th, 6:30-8:30pm at Mirror Lake Park.
Bring your kids, helmets and bikes! We will have a line of coach volunteers to safety check bikes and helmets, as well as a mechanic from the Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage there to make simple adjustments.
Youth participating in CMBR kids are required to have their bikes safety checked before riding with the club. If you are unable to bring your child, their bike and their helmet to this Tuesday’s free safety checks you will need to bring it to a shop for a safety check, this usually runs $50-$100.
Youth from the community are also invited to bring their bikes for a free safety check.
THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF EVENT. A responsible adult must supervise your child(ren) for the entire evening.
CHECK IN: First, check in and pick up your Bike Safety Checklist.
SAFETY CHECKS: Next, your youth will work with a volunteer coach to check helmet fit as well as bike size, tires, wheels, brakes, headset, chain, and derailleur/shifting. If they pass all the checks they will receive a safety check medallion for their bike and you’re done!
SAFETY ADJUSTMENTS: If your child’s bike needs brake or derailleur adjustments they will proceed to a second station where a volunteer mechanic will assess and adjust their bike so it shifts and brakes properly.
BIKE REPAIRS: If your child’s bike needs repairs, and not just adjustments, you will need to bring it to a bike shop before riding with the club. Most shops are booked out one to two weeks for repairs.
We always recommend bringing your youth and their bike to the nonprofit Off the Chain Bicycle Collective. Off the Chain is not a drop-off bike shop, but rather a volunteer run bike collective that will teach you and your child to repair their own bike. Off the Chain runs by donation, so this is a very affordable option for families that cannot make the bike checks. See less
El Jefe Grand Opening
Weds June 24th Mirror Lake Park – 6:30pm walk through, 7:00 pm ribbon cutting and ride!
Address for your mapping app: Camp Gorsuch Rd, Chugiak, AK 99567
Mirror Lake Trail Work
Thursday May 28th, 2026 6:30-9pm
Sunday May 31st, 2026 1-4pm
Please bring rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, we will have some tools if you need them.
Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Mirror Lake Singletrack Partial Opening
May 23rd, 2026. Expect early season conditions. There are still some soft spots out there, but we have opened most of the Mirror Lake Singletrack. You might want to go over and play on the blue and purple trails, because those are a little bit drier. Enjoy!
$2500 Cash Raffle for the Trails!
$2500 Cash Raffle – All proceeds go to support Mountain Biking in Alaska.
Grand Prize $2500 cash. Second Prize $1000. Third Prize $500.
Buy your tickets today and support Chugach Mountain Bike Riders.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cash-raffle-for-the-trails
Anchorage Trails Plan: Final Call for Input
COMMENTS DUE MARCH 31st, 2026
COMMENT HERE: https://publicinput.com/l2316
The 2026 Anchorage Recreational Trails Plan is a strong step forward for trails across Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River. Chugach Mountain Bike Riders supports the plan’s emphasis on improving connections between communities and access to recreational opportunities.
There are just a few days left to weigh in before the March 31 deadline. Two small but important additions would make the plan stronger.
What We’re Asking For
1. Make Parallel Singletrack a Standard Design Tool
The draft recognizes the need to separate faster riders and pedestrians on busy corridors, including the addition of a new Class 6 paved trail type with separated bicycle and pedestrian lanes. However, it stops short of fully adopting a model that is already working well in Anchorage: parallel singletrack.
This approach—adding a narrow dirt trail alongside a paved or gravel multi-use path, as seen along Chester Creek Trail—improves safety, increases capacity, and provides a better user experience without requiring full corridor widening.
The plan should:
- Explicitly support parallel progressive soft-surface singletrack alongside existing and future multi-use paths.
- Treat this as a standard design option for new corridors and upgrades.
Suggested comment: “Please include parallel progressive soft-surface singletrack as a standard design option alongside multi-use paths, consistent with existing Anchorage trails like the Chester Creek Singletrack.”
2. Add MTB Singletrack to existing Ski Trails at Eagle River High School
The draft includes an excellent plan for a multiuse trail to connect Eagle River campground to the Lower Eagle River Trail. This trail would follow existing ski trails at Eagle River High School and continue parallel to the Eagle River Loop Rd to connect back to the river trail at Briggs Bridge and the Eagle River Greenbelt Access trail.
Current Chugach State Park plans include new nordic ski trails and new mountain bike singletrack at the Eagle River Campground. It makes sense that this proposed combined nordic-MTB trail system continue from the campground through the existing ski trails at Eagle River High School.
The plan should:
- Add MTB singletrack to the existing ERHS ski trail system.
Suggested comment: “Please add mountain bike singletrack to Project ID 63 at Eagle River High School, consistent with Chugach State Park’s singletrack plans at the adjacent Eagle River Campground.”
Mountain Bike Access in Chugach State Park: A History
A history of regulation and planning, 1970–present
When Chugach State Park was established in 1970, mountain biking didn’t exist. The Specialized Stumpjumper — one of the first production mountain bikes — didn’t arrive until 1983. RockShox introduced the first suspension fork in 1989. For the first fifteen years of the park’s existence, bicycles simply weren’t a consideration in park planning, and the regulations reflected that: there was no bicycle policy at all.
By the time Alaska first regulated bicycle use in the park in 1985, the sport was still in its infancy. The 1986 Chugach State Park Trail Plan acknowledged mountain bikes directly, noting that the most-used routes at the time were the Powerline Trail, the Gasline Trail, and the Eklutna Lake Road. But the plan was cautious:
“The physical and social impact of mountain bike use is not well understood in Chugach State Park. Until more is known, no new trails will be recommended.”
— CSP Trail Plan, 1986
That caution was appropriate for 1986. Four decades of experience later, the picture is much clearer. The 2009 CSP Trail Management Plan — updated and adopted as policy in 2016 — designated bicycle use on 52 trails across the park, with the explicit understanding that regulation changes would follow in phases:
“These regulation changes will be promulgated over time as the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation updates park regulations. Implementation of the management recommendations should begin immediately and are intended to proceed in phases over the years as opportunities, staffing and funding allow.”
— CSP Trail Management Plan, 2009
The timeline below shows that phased approach in action. Each regulation change since 1985 has opened additional trails to bicycles, moving steadily toward full implementation of the plans. Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is continuing to work with the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation to advance the remaining 24 trails — some built and awaiting only a regulation change, others still to be constructed — that the park’s own plans have long identified as appropriate for bicycle use.
Timeline
20 (28)
Trails currently open to bicycles in CSP (28 listed in plans, combined to 20 in regulation)
52
Trails with bicycle designation in adopted 2016 plan (20 (28) open + 24 pending)
24
Trails planned for bicycle still awaiting implementation
Regulation (AAC)Planning documentDesignations removedPending implementation
1985
11 AAC 20.050 enacted 3 trails open to bicycles
Bicycles allowed in campgrounds and 3 designated areas: Eklutna Lake Road, gasline road (Prospect Heights to Indian), Bird Creek logging trails. (Reg. 94)
1988
11 AAC 20.050 amended 5 trails open to bicycles
Added Glen Alps to Powerline Trail and Peters Creek road. (Reg. 105)
1996
11 AAC 20.050 amended 9 trails open to bicycles
Added picnic areas to base permission. Added Powerline Trail, Wolverine Bowl Trail, Middle Fork Loop Trail, 1D9 Eagle River Greenbelt. Added catch-all: any trail open to snow vehicles under 11 AAC 20.040. (Reg. 138)
2002
11 AAC 20.050 amended 11 trails open to bicycles
Added South Fork Rim Trail and paved Turnagain Arm pathway (Indian to Girdwood). (Reg. 162)
2009
11 AAC 20.050 amended 14 trails open to bicycles
Added Silver Fern Trail, White Spruce Trail, and Llama Trail from the Hillside system. (Reg. 191)
CSP Trail Management Plan — public review draft 58 trails designated or managed for bicycle
Designated bicycle as designed use or managed use on 58 trails across the park. Noted regulation changes required to implement each. Includes 6 trails later removed or downgraded in the Final Revisions before 2016 adoption.
- Alder Trail — Denali View junction to Hemlock Knob Trail near Gasline junction (New Trail)
- Alder Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Denali View Trail junction
- Beaver Pond Trail — Park boundary to Indian to Girdwood Trail junction
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System — Campground Access (New Trail)
- Bird Pass Trail
- Coastal Trail — Indian to Potter (New Trail)
- Connect Peters Creek & Ptarmigan Valley with a Motorized Trail
- Eagle River Campground Trail System (New Trail)
- Eagle River Greenbelt Pathway — Glenn Highway to ERNC (New Trail)
- Eklutna Lake Spillway Trail
- Eklutna Lake Spillway and Lakeside Loop Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside ATV Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Loop Trail (New Trail) †
- Eklutna Lakeside Trail
- Eklutna Lower Lakeside Trail
- Four Mile Creek Loop Trail
- Gasline Trail — Prospect Heights Trailhead to Powerline Trail at Y junction
- Glen Alps Lower Powerline Access Trail
- Glen Alps Middle Powerline Access Trail
- Hemlock Burn Trail (New Trail)
- Hemlock Spur Trail
- Hidden Lake Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Extension junction
- Hunter Pass Trail — South Fork Eagle River Trail junction to pass
- Indian to Girdwood National Recreation Trail
- Llama Trail
- Lost Cabin Valley Trail †
- Middle Fork Connector Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Trail (New Trail)
- Middle Fork Loop Extension — Middle Fork Loop Trail to Hidden Lake Trail (New Trail)
- Middle Fork Loop Trail
- Muktuk Marston Memorial Overlook Trail
- Muktuk Marston Trail (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Near Point Knoll Trailhead to existing Near Point Trail junction (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Wolverine Peak Trail junction to end of old homestead road
- Penguin Creek Trail
- Penguin Creek Trail (New Trail)
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Six Mile Creek to Wall Street Creek
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Trailhead to Six Mile Creek
- Powerline Pass Trail — Powerline Trail junction near Green Lake to Powerline Pass
- Powerline Trail — Upper Indian Creek Trailhead to Powerline Pass
- Powerline Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to base of Powerline Pass near Green Lake
- Ptarmigan Valley Trail
- Rabbit Lake Trail
- Rendezvous Peak Trail — Trailhead to saddle between Rendezvous and Mt. Gordon Lyon †
- Rendezvous Ridge Trail — Muktuk Marston Overlook Trail to Rendezvous Peak to Hunter Pass Trail junction
- Shebanof Avenue Connector Trail
- Silver Fern Loop Trail (New Trail)
- Silver Fern Trail
- South Fork Bird Creek Trail (New Trail)
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Trailhead to Hunter Pass Trail junction †
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Hunter Pass Trail junction to footbridge over South Fork †
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Footbridge over South Fork to Eagle Lake †
- South Fork Rim Trail
- Spencer Loop Connector Trail (New Trail)
- White Spruce Trail
- Wolverine Bowl Trail
† Removed or downgraded in Final Revisions before 2016 adoption. Lost Cabin Valley Trail retained winter-only bicycle managed use.
2016
CSP Management Plan adopted 52 trails designated or managed for bicycle
Commissioner-level policy adoption. Carries forward 52 bicycle-designated or managed trails including Rendezvous Ridge and the Muktuk Marston corridor. Regulation change required to implement each unopen trail.
- Alder Trail — Denali View junction to Hemlock Knob Trail near Gasline junction (New Trail)
- Alder Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Denali View Trail junction
- Beaver Pond Trail — Park boundary to Indian to Girdwood Trail junction
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System — Campground Access (New Trail)
- Bird Pass Trail
- Coastal Trail — Indian to Potter (New Trail)
- Connect Peters Creek & Ptarmigan Valley with a Motorized Trail
- Eagle River Campground Trail System (New Trail)
- Eagle River Greenbelt Pathway — Glenn Highway to ERNC (New Trail)
- Eklutna Lake Spillway Trail
- Eklutna Lake Spillway and Lakeside Loop Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside ATV Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Trail
- Eklutna Lower Lakeside Trail
- Four Mile Creek Loop Trail
- Gasline Trail — Prospect Heights Trailhead to Powerline Trail at Y junction
- Glen Alps Lower Powerline Access Trail
- Glen Alps Middle Powerline Access Trail
- Hemlock Burn Trail (New Trail)
- Hemlock Spur Trail
- Hidden Lake Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Extension junction
- Hunter Pass Trail — South Fork Eagle River Trail junction to pass
- Indian to Girdwood National Recreation Trail
- Llama Trail
- Lost Cabin Valley Trail (winter-only bicycle managed use)
- Middle Fork Connector Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Trail (New Trail)
- Middle Fork Loop Extension — Middle Fork Loop Trail to Hidden Lake Trail (New Trail)
- Middle Fork Loop Trail
- Muktuk Marston Memorial Overlook Trail
- Muktuk Marston Trail (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Near Point Knoll Trailhead to existing Near Point Trail junction (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Wolverine Peak Trail junction to end of old homestead road
- Penguin Creek Trail
- Penguin Creek Trail (New Trail)
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Six Mile Creek to Wall Street Creek
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Trailhead to Six Mile Creek
- Powerline Pass Trail — Powerline Trail junction near Green Lake to Powerline Pass
- Powerline Trail — Upper Indian Creek Trailhead to Powerline Pass
- Powerline Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to base of Powerline Pass near Green Lake
- Ptarmigan Valley Trail
- Rabbit Lake Trail
- Rendezvous Ridge Trail — Muktuk Marston Overlook Trail to Rendezvous Peak to Hunter Pass Trail junction
- Shebanof Avenue Connector Trail
- Silver Fern Loop Trail (New Trail)
- Silver Fern Trail
- South Fork Bird Creek Trail (New Trail)
- South Fork Rim Trail
- Spencer Loop Connector Trail (New Trail)
- White Spruce Trail
- Wolverine Bowl Trail
Final Revisions removed or downgraded bicycle designation 6 trails
South Fork Eagle River Trail (3 segments), Rendezvous Peak Trail, and Eklutna Lakeside Loop Trail removed entirely. Lost Cabin Valley Trail downgraded to Pack & Saddle with winter-only bicycle managed use retained.
- Eklutna Lakeside Loop Trail (New Trail) — downgraded to hiker-pedestrian
- Lost Cabin Valley Trail — downgraded to Pack & Saddle; winter-only bicycle managed use retained
- Rendezvous Peak Trail — Trailhead to saddle between Rendezvous and Mt. Gordon Lyon — removed
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Trailhead to Hunter Pass Trail junction — removed
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Hunter Pass Trail junction to footbridge over South Fork — removed
- South Fork Eagle River Trail — Footbridge over South Fork to Eagle Lake — removed
2022
11 AAC 12.115 enacted — 11 AAC 20.050 repealed 20 (28) trails open to bicycles
New statewide bicycle regulation (Reg. 242). Six trails opened for CSP: Hemlock Burn Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Eklutna Spillway & Lakeside Loop Access Trail, Near Point Trail, Rabbit Lake Trail, and Shebanof Avenue Connector Trail. The 1D9 Eagle River Greenbelt was renamed Lower Eagle River Trail. Fat-tire bicycles given their own regulatory framework, with winter-only access to designated CSP areas; the Director may open additional areas. Class 1 e-bikes and asphalt trails added.
- Beaver Pond Trail — Park boundary to Indian to Girdwood Trail junction
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System
- Eagle River Greenbelt Pathway — Glenn Highway to ERNC (New Trail)
- Eklutna Lake Spillway Trail
- Eklutna Lake Spillway and Lakeside Loop Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside ATV Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Access Trail
- Eklutna Lakeside Trail
- Eklutna Lower Lakeside Trail
- Four Mile Creek Loop Trail
- Gasline Trail — Prospect Heights Trailhead to Powerline Trail at Y junction
- Glen Alps Lower Powerline Access Trail
- Glen Alps Middle Powerline Access Trail
- Hemlock Burn Trail (New Trail)
- Indian to Girdwood National Recreation Trail
- Llama Trail
- Middle Fork Connector Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Trail (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Wolverine Peak Trail junction to end of old homestead road
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Trailhead to Six Mile Creek
- Powerline Pass Trail — Powerline Trail junction near Green Lake to Powerline Pass
- Powerline Trail — Wolverine Bowl Trail junction to base of Powerline Pass near Green Lake
- Powerline Trail — Upper Indian Creek Trailhead to Powerline Pass
- Rabbit Lake Trail
- Shebanof Avenue Connector Trail
- Silver Fern Trail
- South Fork Rim Trail
- White Spruce Trail
- Wolverine Bowl Trail
Note: The regulation (11 AAC 12.115) has combined and renamed some trails from the CSP Trails Plan.
now
24 trails with planning-level bicycle designation not yet implemented pending
Status varies: some trails are built and require only a regulation change; others are planned but not yet constructed. All are identified in the CSP Trails Plan as appropriate for bicycle use.
- Alder Trail — Denali View junction to Hemlock Knob Trail near Gasline junction (New Trail)
- Alder Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Denali View Trail junction
- Bird Creek Valley Trail System — Campground Access (New Trail)
- Bird Pass Trail
- Coastal Trail — Indian to Potter (New Trail)
- Connect Peters Creek & Ptarmigan Valley with a Motorized Trail
- Eagle River Campground Trail System (New Trail)
- Hemlock Spur Trail
- Hidden Lake Trail — Powerline Trail junction to Middle Fork Loop Extension junction
- Hunter Pass Trail — South Fork Eagle River Trail junction to pass
- Lost Cabin Valley Trail
- Middle Fork Loop Extension — Middle Fork Loop Trail to Hidden Lake Trail (New Trail)
- Middle Fork Loop Trail
- Muktuk Marston Memorial Overlook Trail
- Muktuk Marston Trail (New Trail)
- Near Point Trail — Near Point Knoll Trailhead to existing Near Point Trail junction (New Trail)
- Penguin Creek Trail
- Penguin Creek Trail (New Trail)
- Peters Creek Valley Trail — Six Mile Creek to Wall Street Creek
- Ptarmigan Valley Trail
- Rendezvous Ridge Trail — Muktuk Marston Overlook Trail to Rendezvous Peak to Hunter Pass Trail junction
- Silver Fern Loop Trail (New Trail)
- South Fork Bird Creek Trail (New Trail)
- Spencer Loop Connector Trail (New Trail)
Source: Alaska Administrative Code registers (1985, 1988, 1996, 2002, 2009, 2022); CSP Trail Plan (1986); CSP Trail Management Plan (2009); CSP Management Plan (2016). Compiled by Chugach Mountain Bike Riders.
CMBR Kids Youth MTB 2026
A Parent and Volunteer Led Youth Mountain Bike Club
CMBR Kids (Chugach Mountain Bike Riders) is an all-volunteer mountain bike club serving youths from 6-16 in Chugiak-Eagle River. The club teaches on the 6 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails at Mirror Lake Park in Chugiak. CMBR Kids introduces basic mountain biking by teaching fundamental bike handling skills, building confidence on singletrack trails, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through mountain biking.
Note: CMBR Littles! (6-7 year olds) are welcome to ride with us. All riders will need a bike with hand brakes (no coaster/foot brakes) and must already be able to ride well on pavement and grass. Parents of 6-7 year olds must to remain at the park during the session and are encouraged to ride with their child(ren).
WHO: Youth ages 6-16,
WHERE: @ the Mirror Lake Singletrack Trails, Chugiak (Mirror Lake exit off the Glenn Hwy)
WHEN: Tues/Thurs June 23th – July 30th, 2026
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
CMBR Kids 2026 PRESEASON EVENTS:
Tues May 26th/Thurs May 28th CMBR Coach Clinic 6:30-9pm (two evenings)
Sat May 30th CMBR Coach Clinic (repeat) 9am-2pm (1 day)
Fri June 5th-Sun June 7th BICP Coach Certification 9am-6pm (3 days)
Tues June 16th Parent Skills Night 6-9pm
Thurs June 18th Youth Bike Checks 6-9pm
Choose either M/W or T/Th session.
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
How do I sign up?
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN APRIL 1ST, 2026.
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/cmbr-kids-2026
How does CMBR Kids Youth Mountain Bike Club work?
Now in our tenth year, our club typically hosts about 85 youth, on Tues/Thurs.
For the first 30 minutes or so we work on that evening’s mountain bike skill, and then break into small volunteer-coach-led groups to ride with other youth of a roughly similar skill level. Within the groups, there will be some faster and some slower youth together: the focus is skills, not speed. Over a 6-week period we work through a good overview of mountain bike fundamentals.
Our lead coaches are Level 1 certified through the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP).
We require all youth bikes to be professionally tuned up and safety checked and everyone must wear helmets to participate.
Other local youth mountain bike programs include the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers’ Sprockidz program in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and Mighty Bikes in Anchorage. Older and more advanced youth should check out the Hilltop Bike School.
CMBR Movie Night and Silent Auction
Includes movie admission, silent auction registration and one drink ticket.
https://galabid.com/chugach-mtb
Back for a second year! Get excited for the season with CMBR’s annual fundraiser at Odd Man Rush in Eagle River! We’ve got a selection of films for you, including award-winning “Anytime” from Anthill films and a world-premier short from one of our local riders!
Doors will open at 5:30pm with cash bar and silent auction. Short films start at 6:30 pm and the hour-long main feature starts at 7:30pm.
Under 21 are welcome with a parent.
CMBR Movie Night and Silent Auction
SAVE THE DATE – Tickets go on sale early March.
Back for a second year! Get excited for the season with CMBR’s annual fundraiser at Odd Man Rush in Eagle River!
We’ve got a selection of films for you, including award-winning “Anytime” from Anthill films and a world-premier short from one of our local riders.
Doors will open at 5pm with cash bar and silent auction. Short films start at 6pm and the main feature at 7pm.
Youth are welcome with a parent
2025 Merry Masher Results
Thanks to everyone who came out last night, we had a great time! We had a few chips that didn’t read, and have updated the results with our paper timing backup. Let us know if anything else needs to be corrected. Hope to see you all at the ICY RIVER RAMPAGE in February!
Merry Masher Race Course 2025
Friday Dec 26th, 7pm. Join us for the Merry Masher fat bike race, a fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders. MORE INFO HERE.
We’ve got a new course for you this year using “Lemon Squeezy” a new connector for the green trails at Mirror Lake. This allows us to loop Easy Peasy and take advantage of some of the more packed trails at Mirror Lake.
The singletrack has a thin grippy layer of snow. Edmonds Lake is in beautiful condition, perfectly smooth packed snow. Mirror Lake is a bit rougher, but the Muni plans to groom a loop for us, and the ice skating rink should be hot mopped! Thank you Eagle River Parks and Rec!
We’ve got disco lights, a DJ, a whole bunch of fire pits and a Friday night party planned for you all. Come out and race or come out and cheer!
Note: many of the smaller trails are not groomed, so stick to the race course if you want to come out and ride. Cheers!
Thank You for Being a Part of the CMBR Community!
The expansion of the Chugiak-Eagle River trail system and the growth of Southcentral Alaska’s mountain bike community depends on donations from our trail users. Historically, CMBR has been able to match $10 to every one dollar you have donated. (Many employers have also doubled your donations, thank you!)
2025 CMBR Successes:
- Celebrated TEN YEARS of CMBR with a great film festival and fundraiser at Odd Man Rush.
- Built the new black diamond jump line “El Jefe” and easy connector “Lemon Squeezy” at Mirror Lake.
- Coordinated construction of an additional mile of the Northern Extension Coastal Trail around Beach Lake, connecting Eagle River to the Inlet, a part of the Historic Iditarod Trail.
- Coached over 100 youths in our summer CMBR Kids club, riding four days a week!
- Groomed winter trails at Mirror Lake and the Lower Eagle River Trail.
- Led regional coach certification for CMBR, Mighty Bikes, Sprockidz, and Tsalteshi youth MTB programs.
- Completion of the Mirror Lake master plan, proposing five miles of adaptive MTB trails by MLMS.
- Initiated trail design for a MTB loop behind Arctic Valley Ski Area, including Rendezvous
Ridge.
Our Vision:
- Bikeable paths extending up Eagle River Valley and connecting to the Mat-Su along the Glenn Hwy.
- Development of the Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail from Eagle River to Mirror
Lake. - Singletrack trails closer to home, offering year-round recreation to our middle and high
schools. - A vibrant MTB community with youth clubs, adult rides, local races, and community
festivals.
2026 Proposed Projects – Your donations will make this happen!
- Construct an all-volunteer hand built black diamond trail at Mirror Lake.
- Work to establish a 300-mile Chugach Mountain Bike Trail from Seward to Mirror Lake.
- Coordinate region-wide coach training and collaboration for youth MTB programs.
- Partner with neighboring MTB clubs as the Alaska Off-Road Cycling Alliance (ORCA)
- Secure funding for Eagle River Rd and Glenn Hwy separated multiuse paths.
Your support is crucial to our efforts. Thank you for your donations!
Sincerely, Erik Gabrielson, President
CMBR, PO Box 672555, Chugiak, AK 99567
2025 MERRY MASHER WINTER FAT BIKE RACE
Race 1 of 3 of the TREK WINTER FAT BIKE SERIES!
Register here: 25-26 Trek Winter Fat Bike Series
We’re going AFTER DARK for the 9th annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
About this event
* Registration ends Thurs 12-25-25 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*
We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the ninth annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!
It’s gonna be a PARTY! Light up your rides, as we’re going after dark on a mix of flowy singletrack, a bit of nice wide doubletrack, a couple of great hill climbs, and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak.
You will have the option of two or three 3+ mile laps. You must complete the race in the 2-hour time limit.
- Fri Dec 26th 7pm Merry Masher at Mirror Lake
- Sat Feb 7th 11am Icy River Rampage at Eagle River Nature Center
- Wed Mar 4th 7pm Blue Booty Blitz at APU
If you’re not racing, you are welcome to come out and cheer!
Thanks to Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s race.
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Friday, December 26th. Bibs Pick-Up 6pm. Race Start 7pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: $55.
El Jefe Work Party Sun Sep 14th 2pm
PLEASE SIGN BOTH FORMS:
- CMBR 2025 WAIVER: CMBR Waiver | Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
- EL JEFE VOLUNTEER CHECK IN: https://portal.goldenvolunteer.com/opportunities/unw1VNHvjA
Let’s get the El Jefe JUMP LINE ready for opening! We have a tons of roots to lop, some dirt and gravel to haul, branches to pull back, and tread to smooth.
We’ll also do a fall touch-up on Bee-Line and Lazy-G.
Meet at the first trail crossing on Camp Gorsuch Rd in Mirror Lake Park and head straight up the path to beginning of LAZY G.
We plan to have 1-2 hours of work and 1-2 hours of riding.
Please sign a waiver, we have some tools, but bring loppers, work gloves, flat shovels, etc. if you have them.
Be sure to register ahead of time!
El Jefe aMTB Alternate Line
This past week ProTrails has been building the alternate line on the new EL JEFE jump line at Mirror Lake, Alaska.
The intent is to make this alternate route a black-diamond adaptive MTB line, but also to allow ride-arounds for the larger jumps on the main trail. Once the machine work is done and the trails dry out we’ll host a work day and pre-ride of the new trails.
Thank you so much to the Anchorage Park Foundation for a $10k challenge grant to make this aMTB line possible!
Alaska’s Mountain Bike Long Trails
THE 300 MILE CHUGACH MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR), Singletrack Advocates (STA), and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBaH), working together as the Alaska Off-Road Cycling Alliance (ORCA) are proposing the 300-mile Chugach Mountain Bike Trail: starting in Anchorage, continuing to Seward and ending in Hope.
BIKING ON LONG TRAILS (BOLT)
This proposal is a part of the BOLT Act (Biking on Long Trails), which directs federal land management agencies under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the United States Forest Service to identify existing and potential long distance biking trails.
Two long-distance bike trails already exist on the Kenai Peninsula: The Kenai 250, and the Southern Trek Iditarod. The Chugach Mountain Bike Trail combines these two existing routes and extends them to Anchorage up the proposed Twenty-mile Trail, the existing Winner Creek Trail, along the Bird to Gird Pathway, and over the proposed Arctic to Indian Traverse to connect to the Moose Loop and downtown Anchorage.
200 MILE KENAI AND 100 MILE IDITAROD MTB TRAILS
Of note: ORCA is also proposing designation for these smaller sections of trail that already exist, a 200 mile Kenai Mountain Bike Trail, inspired by the Kenai 250 route, and a 100 mile Southern Trek Iditarod Trail, although we recommend using the parallel recreational Lost Lake and Primrose Trails, instead of the Bear Creek and Meridian Lakes Trails on the latter.
The Kenai 250 is Alaska’s longest summer ultra-endurance bike ride, and a well-known bikepacking route that includes the well-established Resurrection and Russian Lakes Trails, which then connect via the gravel Snug Harbor Road and the Old Sterling Trail to the Southen Trek Iditarod Trail and Alaska’s Crown Jewel, the Lost Lake – Primrose Trail. The route then loops back to Devil’s Pass and finishes in Hope.
The Southern Trek Iditarod Trail connects Seward to Girdwood, including the IMBA Epic Johnson Pass Trail, and is one of the US Forest’ Service’s 15 trail maintenance prioirity areas per the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act of 2016. This 100+ mile long trail will be completed summer 2026 from the Alaska Railroad station in Seward to the station in Portage, making this a car-free option for riders coming from Anchorage.
NEW AND IMPROVED ROUTES
Please note that the routes ORCA is proposing are slightly different that the existing Kenai 250 and Southern Trek Iditarod routes. New bridges and trail construction along the Moose Pass Trail, Turnagain Pass Trail, and the Portage Curve Mulitimodal Trail, as well as reroutes onto the Lost Lake and Primrose Trails, remove significant portions of road miles and replace them with dozens of miles of newly constructed singletrack and separated pathways.
TRAIL IMPACT AND COMMUNITY
a. Why is this trail special to our cycling community, and the surrounding communities?
Access to the outdoors is quintessential to the Alaskan way of life and the Alaskan brand. The allure of world class backcountry experiences encourages folks to call these rugged landscapes home and for visitors to fuel local economies.
The routes we are proposing build upon the most iconic trails in all of Alaska. These are trails steeped in cultural and historical significance. Any Alaskan can tell you stories and legends around the Iditarod Historic Trail from a young age. Cycling the Resurrection Trail is a coming of age pilgrimage for all Alaskan mountain bikers. These are cherished lands. Seamlessly interconnecting these renowned resources is a natural next step in improving quality of life and economic opportunites in Alaska.
This route also takes advantage of trails that already have a great deal of developmental momentum, and we are hoping to capture synergies under one unifying banner. The Alaska Long Trail and Iditarod Southern Trek Projects are actively rewriting the book on long trail developement in Alaska. Every summer, new trails are added to our vast network. It is up to us to tell the story of how all these incredible resources interconnect and expand upon one another.
b. What local communities benefit from the trail?
Connecting Alaska’s population and economic epicenter, Anchorage, with the communities of the Kenai Peninsula via one continuous trail is the largest opportunity of all recreation development projects in the state. Once the Kenai is tied to Anchorage via a non-motorized route, we vastly expand the base of people who would consider traveling to Alaska to undertake such an adventure. We also ensure a steady flow of year-round local use and related events, helping to boost quality of life and rural economies. As it stands today, the logistical hurdles necessary to bikepack in Alaska keep many from exploring the outstanding trails in the region.
While all communities along the route will benefit from a BOLT designation: Anchorage, Indian, Girdwood, Moose Pass, Seward, Coopers Landing, and Hope; the smaller the community, the greater the opportunity for gain. With such a designation, southcentral Alaska can boast a recreational opportunity to rival that of hiking the Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail. Patronizing these communities as part of a once in a lifetime adventure should be a part of any avid recreationalists bucket list.
c. What other user groups (aside from bikers) is the trail accessible to?
Hikers (and their impacts to local economies) are just as significant a user group to this route as cyclists. Much of these routes already serve as hotspots for equestrian use, and proposed new sections of trail will further open up access for horseback riding.
Unique to Alaska is our vastly different seasonal recreational opportunities. When it comes to cycling on the snow, the more use a trail gets, the better the cycling becomes. By increasing the draw for these trail segments, we further expand fat biking in southcentral Alaska, already a hotbed for the sport internationally.
This route will also be an excellent resource for those seeking multi-day backcountry and crosscountry ski, snowshoe and dog mushing opportunities.
While most of the route is closed to motorized use in the summer months, there are multiple segments that open to snowmachines/snowmobiles in the winter.
d. local/regional groups that steward all or portions of the long-distance trail:
- Alaska Off-Road Cycling Alliance (including Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, Singletrack Advocates and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers)
- Alaska Trails
- Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance
- Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area
- Anchorage Park Foundation
e. Describe how recognition as a BOLT trail could benefit the stewardship and long-term sustainability of the trail and the communities it connects.
With so many incredible partners, communities, resources, ongoing projects, and trails in the region it can often be difficult to keep all the opportunities straight and refocus our collective vision on the bigger picture. Within Alaska’s wide and complicated map of overlapping land managers and nonprofits, it is not a lack of will to steward or sustainably develop our lands that hinders us, but a lack of glue that keeps us working together towards a shared outcome bigger than any one of us. A BOLT trail designation is the ideal glue to help shepherd all our collective interests and energies in a cohesive and reoccurring manner.
While many incredible trails emblematic of Alaskan grandeur dot this region, there remains a lack of a unifying route tying all our communities together. Unlike locations in the lower 48 states and elsewhere, it is truly possible to interconnect every single population and commerce hub from Anchorage to Seward in this manner. As we knit towns together, everyone stands to benefit.
More than a designation, we are seeking to build a cultural phenomenon around long distance, backcountry cycling in Alaska. A BOLT Trail in southcentral Alaska is the next step in that journey.
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION
Bikepacking the Kenai 250, Alaska SIngletrack – BIKEPACKING.com
Kenai 250 | Epic Endurance Bikepacking… Alaskan Style
Alaska – mountain biking – Kellie Okonek
Chugach Mountain Bike Proposed Route · Ride with GPS
Kenai Mountain Bike Trail · Ride with GPS
Southern Trek Iditarod Trail · Ride with GPS
Iditarod National Historic Trail Southern Trek
Inheriting Adventure in the Alaskan Wilderness | Rightful Heirs | Freehub Magazine
Trail Maintenance Priority Areas | US Forest Service
THE NUMBERS:
Chugach BOLT Trail Segment Data
Chugach Mountain Bike Trail MAP/GPX
Trails Plan Comments Due Aug 10th, 2025
Please go to Recreational Trails Plan – PublicInput and give a thumbs up on proposed Chugiak-Eagle River trail projects. Feel free to add your own comments as well.
While the proposed update to the Recreational Trails plan includes two high-priority trails: the Lower Eagle River Trail from Briggs Bridge and the Northern Extension Coastal Trail from Beach Lake Park to Mirror Lake Park, we are concerned that dozens of planned trails have been cut.
The basic plan for Chugiak-Eagle River’s Recreational Trails has been the same for 40 years. This is a great plan. Let’s keep it.
DRAFT COMMENTS:
- Please include the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) through Chugiak-Eagle River, and the recent efforts of Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation Department to reestablish this trail in our community. The INHT comprehensive plan calls for a “parallel recreational trail” that follows the general path of the historic trail. Starting at the Eagle River Nature Center, the INHT runs along Eagle River Rd, cuts through downtown Eagle River, and connects with the proposed Coastal Trail. The New Beach Lake Multiuse Trail has been officially designated as a part of the INHT.
- Include Creekside Trail easments along Fire Creek, Peters Creek and Mirror Creek that the Municipality retained though the ANILCA. Also include the new Public Use Easement that follows Edmonds Creek.
- Include all areawide trails for analysis and planning. This includes, but is not limited to AMATS recreational trails, AMATS nonmotorized pathways, adjacent Chugach State Park trails, and major trail easements (such as Fire Creek, Mirror Creek and Peters Creek). While this plan makes recommendations for recreational trails within the AMATS boundary, it is necessary to map and list adjacent trails and nonmotorized pathways to create a clear and comprehensive plan.
- Inventory trails from 1997 Areawide Plan and match to trails in new plans including Chugach State Park (CSP) Trails Plan, and the AMATS Nonmotorized Plan (NMP). If 1997 trails are not included in the CSP Trails Plan or NMP, they must be included or updated in this Recreational Trails Plan, as recommended by the 1997 plan. The splitting of a single trails plan into three separate parts has made overall planning efforts difficult. This Recreational Trails plan needs to capture any trails missing from the updated documents.
- Specific trails must be mentioned and mapped in the new plan. Consistent with NMP, CSP Trails Plan and the 1997 Areawide Trails Plan, existing, planned, and proposed trails must be listed and included on the recreational trails plan map, not just general guidelines for trails.
Chugiak-Eagle River Trails needed on Recreational Trails Plan Map per previous plans and community requests:
a. Add the Iditarod National Historic Trail “parallel Recreation Trail” along Eagle River Rd, Beach Lake Trail and the Northern Extension Coastal Trail.
b. Glenn Hwy Pathway – complete gaps at VFW Rd, Artillery Rd Exit, and Mirror Lake to the Native Village of Eklutna. (several gaps are missing from NMP)
c. Eagle River Rd Pathway – complete to Nature Center (several sections missing from NMP)
d. Old Glenn Pathway – this is already completed to Peters Creek (NMP is incorrect)
e. Eagle River Loop Rd – include a separated pathway, not just wide shoulder (per 1997, missing in NMP)
f. Fire Creek, Mirror Creek, Peters Creek, Edmonds Creek include these trail easements from the Coastal Trail to Glenn/Old Glenn Pathway (per ANILCA land Agreement, Northern Extension Coastal Trail Plan, 1997 Areawide Trails Plan, Mirror Lake Plan, Beach Lake Master Plan)
g. The Beach Lake Trail is under construction, add to plan. (per Beach Lake Master Plan, connects Glenn Path to Coastal Trail)
h. Add MacDonald Center to Mt Baldy Connection via Carol Creek (in housing development plat via HLB lands)
i. Reroute Coastal Trail away from Native Village of Eklutna (per planning overlay district) – Use new Edmonds Creek public use easement instead.
j. Add Mount Baldy Trail Access. This is open and secured on Muni Parkland.
k. Lower Eagle River Trail (Eagle River Greenbelt from Briggs) – Fix Trail Name
l. Add Ram Valley – Legal access is needed.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THIS PLAN?
Anchorage & Mat-Su Strategic MTB Trails Plan.
Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley have over 200 miles of trails open to mountain biking; nearly 120 miles of those have been built specifically for bikes.
Local Southcentral trail clubs Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, Singletrack Advocates and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers spent over a year working with national trail building nonprofit IMBA Trail Solutions to inventory, assess and identify opportunities in our regional mountain bike trail systems.
Major funding for this project came from the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, American Rescue Plan Act (Anchorage Recovery), and private donations.
Download the full report here: ANC-MatSu MTB Plan FINAL
The Anchorage and Mat-Su Strategic Trails Plan represents a bold, community-driven effort to reimagine Southcentral Alaska’s trail systems. Spearheaded by Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR) in collaboration with local trail groups, public agencies, and regional advocates, the plan reflects more than a year of outreach, data collection, and shared visioning.
Recognizing the region’s unique combination of urban access, wild backcountry, and diverse terrain, this initiative aims to create a world-class network of sustainable, accessible, and purpose-built mountain bike trails that support both local recreation and destination tourism.
Central to the planning process was the development of two powerful tools—the Anchorage and Mat-Su Trail Attribute Tool and the Trail Analysis Tool—which together offer a detailed understanding of the character, quality, and distribution of the region’s 750+ trails. These platforms provided the foundation for a data-informed approach, allowing planners and stakeholders to assess trail difficulty, design intent, user types, and geographic gaps with greater precision. Combined with extensive input from riders, land managers, and local nonprofits, the planning team was able to identify high-impact opportunities for both new trail development and strategic improvements to existing infrastructure.
This executive summary outlines the plan’s five biggest takeaways and accompanying recommendations for improving mountain bike trail systems across Anchorage and the Mat- Su Valley. These priorities are designed to support trail accessibility, enhance ride quality, and build a cohesive,
future-ready network that reflects the values of local communities while preserving the region’s iconic landscapes.
TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS
1 Anchorage and Mat-Su Offer World- Class Diversity
The Southcentral Alaska region boasts over 200 miles of mountain bike trails, offering a full range of riding experiences—from beginner-friendly flow trails within
Anchorage’s city limits to rugged, remote backcountry routes in the Chugach Mountains and Hatcher Pass. This level of trail density places Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley on par with established riding destinations like Bellingham, Washington and Pisgah, North Carolina. While much of the network in Alaska is still shared-use and not purpose-built for mountain
biking, the sheer volume, scenic value, and year-round access— particularly winter fat biking—make the region a standout.
With continued investment in bike-optimized infrastructure and connectivity, Southcentral Alaska is well-positioned to lead the next generation of world-class mountain bike destinations.
2 Need for Purpose-Built Trail Expansion
Many existing trails across the region, particularly in the Chugach Backcountry and older sections of Mat-Su, were not designed with mountain biking in mind. These routes often follow legacy mining roads, service tracks, or shared- use paths that lack flow, sustainability, and technical features desired by modern riders. This leads to maintenance challenges, degraded tread, and limited progression opportunities. Purpose-built trails—especially directional flow and technical lines—are essential to improving user experience and reducing conflict with other trail users. The plan identifies key areas for future construction and reroutes that would optimize trail design, including in North Bivouac, Peters Creek, the Arctic to Indian Traverse, and Hatcher Pass.
3 Urban Access and Youth Infrastructure Are Underbuilt
Despite the presence of urban parks near population centers, there is a clear shortage of bike-specific infrastructure that supports youth, beginners, and casual riders. Facilities like
Mirror Lake, Russian Jack, and Palmer Bike Park offer good starting points but lack the breadth, durability, and visibility to fully meet community needs. New pump tracks, progressive skills areas, and short loop trails designed for families could help lower the barrier to entry for new riders while supporting skill development. These features are especially important in underserved areas of East Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River, where trail access is currently limited. Investing in visible,
well-designed community trail hubs will ensure mountain biking remains inclusive and accessible to the next wave of riders.
4 Trail Data Tools Enable Smart Planning
The Trail Attribute and Trail Analysis tools developed for this plan provide powerful platforms for inventorying, evaluating, and visualizing over 21,000 individual trail data points across 750+ trails in Southcentral Alaska. These tools allow land managers and advocates to identify gaps in trail difficulty, feature density, and bike optimized trail types—enabling more strategic and equitable investment. By filtering and comparing trail systems, planners can also measure network strengths, highlight underutilization, and better understand where trail upgrades or expansion are most needed. The tools support public engagement by making trail data more accessible and actionable. With continued updates and use, these resources will be central to ongoing planning, maintenance, and grant application processes.
5 Backcountry and Connectivity Gaps Remain
While Anchorage’s urban trail systems are relatively well- connected, there are still significant gaps in trail access across the broader region—particularly for backcountry routes and underserved neighborhoods. High-potential corridors like the Arctic to Indian Traverse and Upper Winner Creek remain underdeveloped, with limited signage, rough tread, and barriers to looped or point-to-point riding. In the Mat-Su,
efforts to connect zones like Hatcher Pass to Government Peak are still in early stages, and fragmented land ownership poses
logistical challenges. Within urban areas, neighborhoods in East Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River lack clear, safe connections to nearby trailheads, limiting access for those without vehicles or nearby options.
Trail data and population density maps offer valuable tools for identifying where new connections will have the greatest impact. By overlaying demographic and access data, planners can prioritize trail segments that fill connectivity gaps, especially in high-need areas. Expanding connector trails, improving signage, and developing sustainable backcountry routes will be key to creating a more cohesive, inclusive trail network across Southcentral Alaska.
El Jefe Jump Line at Mirror Lake, Alaska.
El Jefe jump line is UNDER CONSTRUCTION! The trail is closed to the public. We will host a volunteer work day and test ride in early August 2025, weather dependent. Stay tuned for details. Thanks!
After last year’s inventory and analysis of southcentral Alaska mountain bike trail systems, professional trail builders at IMBA Trail Solutions found that the majority of trails at Mirror Lake fell into the intermediate blue square difficulty rating and recommended adding a “very difficult” black diamond trail, and more “easier” green trails to balance the system.
With seed money through a Community Challenge Grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation, CMBR was able to leverage public and private funding for this year’s trail builds, including El Jefe (very diffcult) and Xtra Easy (easier) trails.
As a part of this project, the high speed Bee-Line run out onto the the multiuse trail will be rerouted and will connect further up the return trail at a lower speed. The new El Jefe jump line will exit at the same new intersection.
For begineers and those seeking a quieter ride, the new Xtra Easy trail will connect Easy Peasy back to Mirror Lake, creating a loop with Lakeside trail.
These projects are a part of the new Mirror Lake Master Plan, which also includes funding for multiuse trail improvements summer 2026.
Sun May 18th 1pm Trail Work at Mirror Lake
Meet at the BOY SCOUT SIGN on CAMP GORSUCH RD.
Register Here:
https://portal.goldenvolunteer.com/timeslots/5AGRLFGhsA
Trail Work #2 will be focused on rebuilding berms and tread on the purple loops and Raven’s Ridge. DIRT WORK!
Waivers are on-line. You only need to sign once for the year.
https://app.waiversign.com/…/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6…
Sun May 18th, 2025 at 1:00pm
Please bring rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, we will have some tools if you need them.
Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Spring Trail Work at Mirror Lake
Spring trail work at Mirror Lake Park. We need everyone out to help clear hazards and fix trail tread before we can open!
DAY 1: Saturday May 10th 1-4pm – REGISTER HERE
DAY 2: Sunday May 18th 1-4pm – REGISTER HERE
BRING LEAF BLOWERS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
Waivers are on-line. You only need to sign once for the year.
https://app.waiversign.com/e/6088efcaccb8b000196265a7/doc/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6?event=none
Meet at the main trailhead just off the Glenn Hwy Sat May 10th at 1:00pm next to Ben’s Bike Playground.
We will be opening drains, repairing trail tread, clearing sight lines, lopping hazards, and prepping the trails for summer opening.
Please bring rakes, flat shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, we will have some tools at the trailhead if you need them.
Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Remember, Ben’s Bike Playground and Pump Track are already open, so bring your bikes and ENJOY!
Anchorage Mat-Su Strategic MTB Trails Plan
The Anchorage and Mat-Su Strategic Trails Plan represents a bold, community-driven effort to reimagine Southcentral Alaska’s trail systems.
Spearheaded by Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR) in collaboration with local trail groups, public agencies, and regional advocates, the plan reflects more than a year of outreach, data collection, and shared visioning.
Recognizing the region’s unique combination of urban access, wild backcountry, and diverse terrain, this initiative aims to create a world-class network of sustainable, accessible, and purpose-built mountain bike trails that support both local recreation and destination tourism.
Arctic to Indian: Alaska’s Next Backcountry Ride.
PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release.
April 2, 2025
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR) and Singletrack Advocates (STA) request a modification to the Chugach State Park (CSP) trails plan to include bicycles as a design use on the Arctic to Indian Traverse.
This trail will connect to the Powerline Trail (design use: bicycle) and create a through trail for bicycles from Arctic Valley to the Anchorage Hillside, linking existing Anchorage trails and pathways and providing a world-class loop for backcountry cyclists.
The Arctic to Indian Traverse includes the Muktuk Marston Trails 300-301, Ship Creek Trails 304a-304b, and Indian Valley Trails 509a-509b. Bicycles are already recommended as managed use on the Marston Trails 300-301.
Chapter 5 of the Chugach State Park Plan, Regulation Changes, states that a periodic review is triggered by written public request and/or changes in use. We believe that both triggers have been met.
CMBR and STA ask that the Chugach State Park Citizen’s Advisory Board (CAB) support this public request and write a letter requesting a CSP plan review specifically targeting the Arctic to Indian Traverse.
Additionally, we recommend that the planned Ship Creek Trail be changed from a class 2 to a class 3 trail, consistent with the Muktuk Marston and Indian Valley Trails. We believe a class 3 trail would require less maintenance and would better handle the anticipated popularity of this trail. More significantly, it would mean that the entire Arctic to Indian Traverse would be the same class of trail.
Of note, Ship Creek Valley is currently managed as a wilderness. According to the CSP Management Plan, trail construction in managed wilderness is allowed if included in the CSP Trails Plan. The recently built Muktuk Marston Trail is a class 3 trail built in the Ship Creek wilderness area. Furthermore, while CSP wilderness prohibits motorized use, bicycles are allowed if included as a managed use in the CSP trails plan and opened by regulation change. This means that bicycles are managed by CSP the same way in all three land use designations: recreation, natural, and wilderness.
CMBR and STA believe that this request can be implemented without modifying the wilderness management designation. However, designating a natural-zone buffer on either side of the trail, similar to the scenic corridor along the Crow Pass Trail, may allow the construction of a more sustainable trail with less need for maintenance.
This request is consistent with the latest Alaska SCORP, which mentions biking as one of the top increases of recreational use on Alaska’s public lands. Specifically, the 2023-2027 SCORP Goal 2, Objective 6. “Expand opportunities for biking, hiking, public use cabins, and hut-to-hut trail systems” should be considered with this request.
Comments Needed – Glenn Hwy Path at Eagle River
Thank you everyone for your continuing comments to improve our transportation networks! Your voices are needed again.
More details: Public Comment Period for two Amendments.
COMMENTS DUE MARCH 20th, 2025 to amats_comments@publicinput.com
We are cautiously optimistic about Amendment #3 to AMATS TIP (Highway funding) to improve the main Eagle River exit (Artillery Road Interchange) and that this project will not only fix the roads, but also connect the Glenn Hwy Pathway.
If you’ve ever ridden the Glenn Hwy pathway, you know it disappears at the main Eagle River Exit (Artillery Rd Interchange) and many riders cut through various parking lots and side streets to find the path again.
Your comments are needed on a newly added project:
NHS0013 Glenn Highway and Artillery Road Interchange Improvements – The project will reconstruct the Glenn Highway and Artillery Road interchange in Eagle River to improve safety and operations. Work includes bridge (#1328) replacement, retaining walls, nearby intersections, channelization, pedestrian sidewalks and pathways, lighting, roadside hardware, ADA facilities, drainage improvements, landscaping, signing, striping, and utilities as needed.
SAMPLE COMMENTS.
I am pleased to see NHS0013 Glenn Highway and Artillery Road Interchange Improvements added to the TIP.
I would like to confirm that this new project combines two existing MTP2050 projects NMO202* Glenn Highway Pathway Connection at Artillery Road and CPS047* Artillery Road Interchange Reconstruction.
It would make sense that both roadway and pathway projects be completed at the same time.
MTP2050 NMO202*
Glenn Highway Pathway Connection at Artillery Road – construct a connection for the Glenn Highway Pathway south to the Glenn Highway Pathway North through the Artillery Road Interchange.
MTP2050 CPS047*
Artillery Road Interchange Reconstruction – reconstruct the interchange, including lengthening the southbound on ramp and the intersection of Old Glenn Highway and Eagle River Road near the artillery interchange to accommodate turning traffic from Eagle River Road.
Thank you, __________________
COMMENTS DUE MARCH 20th, 2025 to amats_comments@publicinput.com
Ritual Film Festival – CMBR 10th Anniversary Party
https://chugachmtb.ticketspice.com/cmbr-ritual-film
Thursday April 3rd, 2025. Festivities Start 5:00pm Film 6:30pm
Celebrate 10 years of trail building, youth MTB coaching, and community rides with Chugach Mountain Bike Riders.
Youth and young adults (under 21) welcome with a parent. (All ages need tickets to attend)
Silent Auction – Cash Bar – Food Trucks – MTB Short Films
Ritual is a big screen celebration of the indomitable human spirit that defines the sport of mountain biking with unforgettable film – going experiences. The film series highlights incredible athletes, creative filmmakers, engaging storylines and stunning cinematography; bringing riders together in mountain biking’s greatest cities and venues.
Mirror Lake $10k Matching Grant
Thanks to a Community Challenge Grant from the Anchorage Parks Foundation, our community has been able to leverage over $100k in funding for Mirror Lake trails!
We need to raise $10k in matching funds to unlock this funding.
This is a 10x match. Every $100 raised means $1,000 in trail projects. CAN YOU HELP?
Click here to donate to the “Mirror Lake Trails 10x Matching Grant” at Givelively.
2025 CMBR Waivers – Eklutna Permits
Hi CMBR volunteers, members, racers and riders, please fill out the 2025 CMBR waiver at: WaiverSign. You only need to do this once a year.
Looking for Eklutna Permits? CMBR has a club permit to legally access Eklutna Lands. You must both sign this year’s waiver and show current club membership for your Eklunta Permit to be valid.
You can check your membership status at the CMBR Membership Portal.
Merry Masher 2024 Results
Thanks everyone for coming out to the 2024 Mirror Lake Merry Masher and supporting the trails. Results are posted below.
Biking on Long Trails (BOLT) Act passes Senate!
On Thursday Dec 19th, 2024 the Senate passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. Within this package of legislation is nested the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act. The BOLT Act will identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails and at least 10 areas where there is an opportunity to develop or complete such trails. The bill will also direct the Department of Interior to publish and distribute maps, install signage, and distribute promotional materials.
Now this historic legislation moves to the president’s desk, and as such, we must prepare to strike while the iron is hot.
We have an incredible opportunity at our fingertips to identify and expand on backcountry cycling here in Alaska. The existing Kenai 250 route, Southern Trek Iditarod Trail, and the Alaska Long Trail can all coalesce to create one of the world’s premier backcountry bikepacking routes. Should these existing trails become recognized as a singular iconic bikepacking opportunity, efforts to maintain and promote each individual segment of this broader long distance route become less burdensome.
By leveraging existing historic, cultural, and natural federal designations in the region and building upon momentum already in place surrounding restoration projects along Iditarod Historic Trail and the development on the Alaska Long Trail, we have a strong case:
Alaska must be included as one of the key 10 Development Regions identified by the BOLT Act.
We encourage you to take just a few moments to reach out to Senator Lisa Murkowski to thank her for her support in creating iconic backcountry cycling experiences across this nation and her continued efforts to promote and fund long distance recreation opportunities in Alaska.
You can contact Senator Murkowski via this link.
If you need a little cut and paste inspiration, we’ve got you covered…
TOPIC: Public Lands.
Thank you for passing the EXPLORE Act. Please include the Kenai as a BOLT trail.
As an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys our nation’s public lands and waters, I am delighted to see the EXPLORE Act pass through the Senate and become law. Specifically, I am thrilled about the addition of the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act therewithin.
Alaska’s backcountry is its most remarkable and economically salient feature. Our iconic terrain and unique cycling opportunities keeps Alaskans at home happy and sustains robust ecotourism. According to a 2020 Utah State University report on the benefits of long distance cycling tourism, long distance bike routes offer the largest return on development investments of any form of outdoor recreation and – in particular – benefit small and rural communities disproportionately so. Once visitors make the long trek to Alaska with their bike in tow, the longer the trail network is for them to ride, the more money they will spend along the route with the average bikepacker actively spending $104 per day on supplies and food.
We have an incredible opportunity at our fingertips to identify and expand on backcountry cycling here in Alaska. The existing Kenai 250 route, Southern Trek Iditarod Trail, and the Alaska Long Trail can all coalesce to create one of the world’s premier backcountry bikepacking routes. Should these existing trails become recognized as a singular iconic bikepacking opportunity, efforts to maintain and promote each individual segment of this broader long distance route become less burdensome.
By leveraging existing historic, cultural, and natural federal designations in the region and building upon momentum already in place surrounding restoration projects along Iditarod Historic Trail and the development on the Alaska Long Trail, we have a strong case:
Alaska must be included as one of the key 10 Development Regions identified by the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act.
Thank you so much for prioritizing outdoor recreation, which is important to Americans all across the country and across political affiliations. As your constituent and a recreationist, I’m thrilled to see the bill pass.
SIncerely,
Happy Trails,
Cameron Sanders
A Lens for Wanderlust
He/Him/They
Merry Masher 2024 Race Course
Merry Masher course has about an inch of new snow. Most of the trails are riding great. Enjoy!
A Vision for Chugiak-Eagle River Trails
The largest barrier to healthy youth mountain biking is access to trails that kids can pedal to from school or home.
CMBR envisions local mountain bike trail systems built on public lands adjacent to:
- Mirror Lake Middle School
- Chugiak High School
- Eagle River High School
To connect these trail to neighborhood we are advocating for:
- A hardened gravel Northern Extension Coastal Trail and
- paved pathways along the Glenn/Old Glenn and Eagle River Rd.
Please come this Wednesday Nov 20th 6:30pm to the Beach Lake XC Ski Chalet to be involved in the Chugiak-Eagle River Recreational Trails Plan, and help make these dreams a reality.
New Mirror Lake Map Art
We super excited to see this new Mirror Lake map art, check it out!
Chugiak-Eagle River Trails Workshop Nov 20th, 2024
Chugiak-Eagle River trail development for the next 20 years will be guided by the results of this public workshop.
Want to see more trails? What kinds of trails? Should we develop trail connections to access existing trail systems?
SHOW UP at 6:30pm. (Anchorage workshop is the following day.)
“The Recreational Trails Plan will serve as the local government’s guide for trail management, maintenance, and development. Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) and the Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department are updating the Areawide Trails Plan from 1997 to reflect modern trail needs and plan for the years ahead.”
2024 MERRY MASHER WINTER FAT BIKE RACE
Race 1 of 3 of the TREK WINTER FAT BIKE SERIES!
Friday December 27th 7pm at Mirror Lake Park
Register here: 24-25 Trek Winter Fat Bike Series
We’re going AFTER DARK for the 8th annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
About this event
* Registration ends Thurs 12-27-22 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/24-25-trek-winter-fat-bike-series
We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the eigth annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!
It’s gonna be a PARTY! Light up your rides, as we’re going after dark on a mix of flowy singletrack, a bit of nice wide doubletrack, a couple of great hill climbs, and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak.
You will have the option of two or three 3+ mile laps. You must complete the race in the 2-hour time limit.
- Fri Dec 27th 7pm Merry Masher at Mirror Lake
- Sat Feb 1th 11am Icy River Rampage at Eagle River Nature Center
- Wed Mar 5th 7pm Blue Booty Blitz at APU
If you’re not racing, you are welcome to come out and cheer!
Thanks to Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s race.
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Friday, December 27th. Bibs Pick-Up 6pm. Race Start 7pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: $45.
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/24-25-trek-winter-fat-bike-series
Faster Roads or Safer Pathways? You decide.
Chugiak-Eagle River Survey open until Oct 19th, 2024.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MOALongRangeTransportationStrategyChugiak-EagleRiver
Good news! Chugiak-Eagle River is getting its own chapter in the Muni’s Long-Range Transportation Plan. This is where local residents can prioiritize road and pathway improvements for the next several decades.
Do you want faster roads with an emphasis on commuting to Anchorage? Or do you want safer streets so that our kids have pathways to get to parks and schools within our community?
Funded projects that CMBR has advocated for include extending the Glenn Hwy bike path and additional 0.5 mile past the Ladybug Rock towards Mirror Lake Park and Eklutna (to start 2026), extending the Eagle River Rd bike path 1.5 miles towards the Nature Center to Mile Hi Rd (also 2026), and construction has already started on the first 2.5 miles of the Northern Extension Coastal Trail connecting Chugiak High School to the Inlet in Beach Lake Park (2024).
We see these three multi-use pathways as the backbone of a safe active transportation network for our kids and familes to walk dogs, ride bikes, and get to parks, schools and adjacent nighborhoods.
Are you satisfied with the existing network? Is it is safe? Does it connect within our community? Would you like to see the Glenn Hwy, Eagle River Rd and Northern Extension Coastal Trail nonmotoized pathways completed to solve these problems?
DON’T DELAY, TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY!
More information at:
Comments Due Oct 31st for Mirror Lake Master Plan
Please take 2 minutes and submit a comment in support of expanding the Mirror Lake Singletrack and ask that hikers yield to bikers on singletrack trails.
This is for the 20-year Mirror Lake master plan.
https://mirrorlakemasterplan-huddle.hub.arcgis.com/pages/draft-master-plan
- Yield to bikes on bike-optimized singletrack.
We have had some incidents of hikers walking up the jump lines at Mirror Lake and causing crashes. This is not safe for anyone. All two-way trails will stay multiple use, but we are asking that MTB have right of way on bike-optimized singletrack, while hikers will have right of way on multi-use trails. High-speed one-way trails will be managed for MTB-only.
- Expand the Mirror Lake singletrack trail system.
Mirror Lake Park is cut in half by the Glenn Hwy. We support expanding singletrack trails to the Inlet side of the park and connecting to Mirror Lake Middle School. Trails will connect under the Glenn Hwy at the Mirror Lake exit.
There’s a 100+ page plan at the link, or message CMBR if you have any questions.
Alaska ORCA Stickers
CMBR is a proud member of the Alaska Off-Road Cycling Alliance (ORCA)
Check out all the ORCA happenings at ORCA.bike and www.MTBsummit.com
Be sure to click the ORCA riding the mountain bike to get your FREE STICKER!
CMBR 2024 Fall Work Parties
Thanks to the 14 volunteers who SHOWED UP for our Mirror Lake trail work party last night. We hope to see the rest of you this Sunday Sept 8th, 2024 at 1pm!
Please RSVP at https://x.gldn.io/9IvcdrklGMb
Adaptive MTB (aMTB) at Mirror Lake
Thanks so much to Michael for some show-and-tell at our aMTB/MTB combined group ride this past week! Next aMTB/MTB group ride Tuesday July 23rd, 6:45pm at Mirror Lake Park in Chugiak, Alaska.
CMBR in the Bear Paw Parade
Hello CMBR families,
The Bear Paw Parade is coming up in Eagle River on Saturday, July 13, and this year CMBR is participating!
We would love for our CMBR families to join us in the parade!
Below are a few main details, with more details coming via the scheduled event on the TeamSnap app this coming week. Please let us know if you are coming by shooting us a email.
What: CMBR in the Bear Paw Parade. Ride your bike (helmets required) or walk along with us! We’ll have candy to hand out and banners to carry! Kids are encouraged to wear their CMBR jerseys if they have one (coaches, too….or their coach shirts).
When: Saturday, 7/13/2024 – meeting time at parade rally point (TBD but will be somewhere near Eagle River Elementary) is 8:30am-9:30am.
SPECIAL NOTE: We are asking that a parent(s) please accompany their kiddo in the parade. Also, if you have some candy to contribute, we’d greatly appreciate it!!!!
After CMBR kids practices on 7/10 and 7/11, we’ll have some supplies for kids to decorate their bikes!
Thanks so much and we hope you can join us. It will be a blast repping CMBR in the parade and totally rad to show our community how awesome CMBR kids are 🙂
-CMBR kids crew
A South Birchwood Bike Path?
Funding to connect the South Birchwood bike path on the hill between the Glenn and Old Glenn (up from Chugiak High) has passed the Alaska Legislature and is on Governor Dunleavy’s desk to sign or veto.
We are thrilled to have our Chugiak State Rep Dan Saddler as the driving force behind this request. Please contact Governor Dunleavy at (907) 269-7450 or (907) 465-3500 and let him know your thoughts about finishing the South Birchwood Path!
Prefer sending something electronically? Click the link below!
Mirror Lake Spring Trail Work – May 18th, 2024 1pm
Spring trail work at Mirror Lake Park! We need everyone out to help clear hazards and fix trail tread before we can open!
BRING LEAF BLOWERS IF YOU HAVE THEM
Waivers are on-line. You only need to sign once for the year.
Meet at the main trailhead just off the Glenn Hwy Sat May 18th at 1:00pm next to Ben’s Bike Playground. We will be opening drains, repairing trail tread, clearing sight lines, lopping hazards, and prepping the trails for summer opening.
Bring rakes, flat shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, but we will provide tools if you need them. Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Remember, Ben’s Bike Playground and Pump Track are already open, so bring your bikes and ENJOY!
A New Bike Path for Eagle River Road!
A new bike path is coming to Eagle River Road!
Thank you to everyone who attended AMATS meetings and sent in public comments. This is how trails happen!
A bit of background:
Chugiak-Eagle River and the Anchorage Bowl are lumped together for federally-funded transportation projects under AMATS, Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions. In order to qualify for funding, our roads and adjacent pathways are nominated by the public, and then scored, ranked and listed in the MTP, the 20-year Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Unfortunately, this scoring criteria doesn’t look at geographical equity, so we’re stuck with a plan where 99 out of 100 nonmotorized pathway projects are proposed for the Anchorage Bowl, leaving Chugiak-Eagle River underfunded.
Luckily, AMATS has a system where the public is encouraged to participate and help balance regional investment. The Policy Committee includes representatives from the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage. This committee approves which projects from the MTP that are funded for the next four years in what is called the TIP, Transportation Improvement Program.
TIP funding is updated frequently, and projects can be added or removed. In this last amendment, tens of millions of dollars of funding for Eagle River Road was shifted to Anchorage Bowl projects. Because of the massive amount of comments in support of Chugiak-Eagle River, the Policy Committee voted to keep funding for the nonmotorized part of the larger road project.
CMBR will continue to advocate for our trails and pathways. Please consider donating today!
Mirror Lake Master Plan Visioning Workshop
Do you want MORE TRAILS at Mirror Lake?
Show up this Tuesday, April 11th, 2024, 6pm at the Community Room next to the Eagle River Library for a Mirror Lake Park visioning session.
What you ask for will determine the next 20 years of development at the park.
This is how TRAILS HAPPEN!
More information here: https://mirrorlakemasterplan-huddle.hub.arcgis.com/
CMBR Kids Registration Links – Mon April 1st, 7pm
Registration for the 2024 CMBR Kids Program opens Monday April 1st at 7 pm.
Space is limited, so save the date & time and register your child early. Please use the link below:
CMBR Kids Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/423686
If registration is full, please register using the CMBR Kids 2024 Waitlist link below. Priority will be given to parent volunteers.
CMBR Kids Waitlist: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/425395
CMBR Kids relies on our volunteers to get kids out on the trails. If you would like to volunteer as a Parent Sweep, Pavilion Parent, Assistant Coach, Site Coordinator, or Coach, please use the link below:
Volunteer Sign-Up: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/423687
2024 Schedule:
Tues June 11th 7pm Bike Checks (youth and adult required bike safety check)
Weds June 12th 7pm Coach Bike Skills Night (coach training)
Thurs June 13th 7pm Coach Safety Orientation (coach training)
Tues June 18th 7pm First Night of CMBR Kids
CMBR Kids 2024 is a 6-week program that will take place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Mirror Lake Park in Chugiak on Tuesday and Thursday nights from June 18th to July 25th. There will be a total of 11 sessions (break for July 4th). Riders should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early to unload bikes and be ready to join their group.
Age Requirements:
CMBR kids is intended for children between the ages of 6 and 16. Parents of children ages 7 and younger must remain at Mirror Lake for the duration of the session and are highly encouraged (but not required) to ride along with the group.
All Riders – Required Gear:
– A reliable bike with hand brakes and gears that shift
– Bike helmet
– Closed toe shoes: NO slip-ons or sandals
– Water bottle or hydration pack
– Small snack
– Extra inner tube
– Comfortable clothes. Try finding clothes that are a blend of poly or another moisture wicking fabric. No jeans, please!
All Riders – Recommended Gear:
– Bike gloves
– Protective eyewear
– Bug spray
Competitive Rider Program – Recommended Gear:
CMBR is pleased to account the Competitive Rider Program this year. The following gear is recommended, in addition to the “Bike, Helmet, and Riding Gear Requirements”:
– Disc brakes (hydraulic preferred)
– Air suspension (hard tails are okay, but no rigid forks)
– Knobby tires
– 1x drivetrain (no front derailleur)
– Dropper post or quick release for seat
Blue Booty 2024 Results
Eagle River Rd Bike Path Cancelled??
In January 2024, non-motorized advocates successfully championed extending the separated bike path on Eagle River Road from Eagle River Loop Rd to Mile 5.3 (O’Riedner) as a part of a larger road rehabilitation project.
Construction was slated to begin in 2025.
In February 2024, AMATS (Transportation) staff proposed cutting the entire $60M road/path project (paid for 90% with Federal dollars) and shift funds from Chugiak-Eagle River to Anchorage Bowl road projects.
Over the past decade approximately $60M has been invested in Anchorage Bowl pathways, and zero funds have been spent in Chugiak-Eagle River.
Our vision is to connect the Moose Loop in Anchorage to outlying communities, including a path along the Glenn Hwy to Eklutna, and a path to the Nature Center along Eagle River Rd.
Please email AMATS and let them know your thoughts about the PROPOSED funding cuts to the Eagle River Rd pathway, and about prioritizing bike path projects along the Glenn Hwy and Eagle River Rd.
Should AMATS cut funding to the Eagle River Rd Pathway? Let them know, send an email!
Comments and Information Here:
RFP Beach Lake Gravel Multiuse Trail
Request for Proposal open Jan 17 – Feb 16, 2024.
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders requests proposals from qualified contractors to design and construct approximately 1.5 miles of hardened gravel trail at Beach Lake Park in Chugiak, Alaska.
Merry Masher 2023 Results
Support Chugiak-Eagle River Trails!
Donate here! Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
The expansion of the Chugiak-Eagle River trail system and the growth of Southcentral Alaska’s mountain bike community depends on donations from our trail users. Historically, CMBR has been able to match $10 to every one dollar you have donated. (Many employers have also doubled your donations, thank you!)
Please consider an end of year donation of $35, $50, $100 or $500 to allow us to continue our work into 2024.
Donate here! Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
2023 CMBR Successes:
- New singletrack connecting trails, Kendall Klimb and Deep Purple extension, opened at Mirror Lake Park.
- A hardened four-season gravel multiuse loop built at Mirror Lake Park.
- Doubled participation in our summer youth CMBR kids MTB program.
- Muni approval and $250k of funding secured for the West Beach Lake trail.
- Initiated and organized the 2nd Alaska MTB Summit, with intent to form a statewide MTB Alliance.
- Groomed winter trails at Mirror Lake and along Eagle River.
Our Vision:
- Bikeable paths extending up Eagle River Valley and connecting to the Mat-Su along the Glenn Hwy.
- Development of the Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail from Eagle River to Mirror Lake.
- Singletrack trails closer to home, offering year-round recreation to our middle and high schools.
- A vibrant MTB community with youth clubs, adult rides, local races, and community festivals.
2024 Proposed Projects:
- Build phase one West Beach Lake gravel trail connecting Chugiak High School to the Inlet.
- Lead a volunteer refresh of Mirror Lake jump trails and singletrack.
- Plan and design the Coyote Singletrack at Mirror Lake Middle School.
- Spearhead region-wide coach training and collaboration for youth MTB programs.
- Host family, youth and adult mountain bike events at Mirror Lake Park.
- Assess local trails for adaptive-MTB accessibility.
- Inventory and update Mirror Lake trail maps and signage.
Donate here! Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
Your support is crucial to our efforts. Thank you for your donations!
West Beach Lake Trail Public Hearing
What: Urban Design Commision Public Hearing
When: Weds Dec 13th 6:30pm
Where: Loussac Library, Anchorage
Eagle River Parks and Rec is proposing a new gravel multiuse path connecting Chugiak High School to the Inlet. CMBR has already raised over $250k to build this trail. This is the LAST meeting in the process to approve this trail. Please come and show your support!
This trail follows the path of the Historic Iditarod Trail, and provides a route for the Alaska Long Trail. It has been in Chugiak-Eagle River Trail plans for 40 years, as the Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail.
As a part of this project, almost a mile of new mushing trail will be built to keep mushers and the walkers, bikers and skiers on the new trail separated.
Details here: 2023-0133 STAFF REPORT.PDF.pdf (muni.org)
2023 Mirror Lake Merry Masher Race Course
Mirror Lake Merry Masher 2023 Race Course Winter Fat Biking Route | Trailforks
Friday Dec 29th, 2023 Race Start 7pm.
5.0 miles – 232 ft Climb
The 2023 Mirror Lake Merry Masher race course will be a little more straightforward this year. The new connector trails built this past summer have allowed us to machine groom the entire course, with more flat and wide sections to allow passing. Yes, there will be singletrack, twisting through the woods, but we’ve cut out the big climb. So, put it in high gear, and best of luck
Register here: Trek Winter Fat Bike Series Entry Form (redpodium.com)
Merry Masher Friday Dec 29th, 2023 7pm
Register here: Trek Winter Fat Bike Series Entry Form (redpodium.com)
Forming the Alaska Mountain Bike Alliance (AMBA).
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR) 501(c)3 is donating staff time and resources to keep the enthusiasm from the 2nd Alaska MTB Summit going strong.
Four statewide ad-hoc committees are forming to continue the conversation:
- AMBA Organizing Committee
- AMBA Youth MTB Committee
- AMBA MTB Trail Builders Discussion
- AMBA Legislation and Advocacy
Sign up for announcement emails (low volume) here: http://eepurl.com/gplptH
Join the Microsoft Teams conversations (high volume) here.
If the link doesn’t work, send us an email to authorize your account.
AMBA Organizing Committee | General | Microsoft Teams
AMBA Youth MTB Committee | General | Microsoft Teams
AMBA Trail Builders Discussion | General | Microsoft Teams
Or just download Microsoft Teams and join us at our first virtual meetings:
Monday Nov 6th, 2023 7-8:30pm AMBA Organizing Committee
Wednesday Nov 8th, 2023 7-8:30pm AMBA Youth MTB Committee
Thursday Nov 9th, 2023 7-8:30pm AMBA Trail Builders Discussion
2023 Trail Work Sponsored by Kendall Toyota!
Huge SHOUT OUT to Kendall Toyota of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s trail work at Mirror Lake! Thanks so much for your investment in our community!
More New Trails Work Parties – Tues Evenings 6:45pm.
MORE NEW TRAILS ARE ALMOST READY!
We need everyone out to lop roots, haul logs and drag off branches and root balls before we can open!
Waivers are on-line. You only need to sign once for the year.
https://app.waiversign.com/…/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6…
WHAT: Volunteer Trail Work.
WHEN: 6:45-8pm Tuesdays Aug 22, 29, Sep 5, 12, 2023.
WHERE: Meet at the first road crossing on CAMP GORSUCH RD in Mirror Lake Park.
Bring gloves and loppers if you have them, but we will provide tools if you need them. Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
2023 Midsummer Masher MTB Race!
Registration is open: 7-14-23 Mirror Lake Midsummer Masher – Arctic Bicycle Club
2023 CMBR Free Youth Bike Checks
Free youth bike checks Tuesday, June 20th 2023, 7-8:30pm at Mirror Lake Park.
Bring your kids, helmets and bikes! We will have a line of coach volunteers to safety check bikes and helmets, as well as mechanics from the Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage and Off the Chain Bicycle Collective to make simple adjustments.
Youth participating in CMBR kids are required to have their bikes safety checked before riding with the club. If you are unable to bring your child, their bike and their helmet to this Tuesday’s free safety checks you will need to bring it to a shop for a safety check, this usually runs $50-$100.
Youth from the community are also invited to bring their bikes for a free safety check.
THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF EVENT. A responsible adult must supervise your child(ren) for the entire evening.
- CHECK IN: First, check in and pick up your Bike Safety Checklist.
- SAFETY CHECKS: Next, your youth will work with a volunteer coach to check helmet fit as well as bike size, tires, wheels, brakes, headset, chain, and derailleur/shifting. If they pass all the checks they will receive a safety check medallion for their bike and you’re done!
- SAFETY ADJUSTMENTS: If your child’s bike needs brake or derailleur adjustments they will proceed to a second station where a volunteer mechanic will assess and adjust their bike so it shifts and brakes properly.
- BIKE REPAIRS: If your child’s bike needs repairs, and not just adjustments, you will need to bring it to a bike shop before riding with the club. Most shops are booked out one to two weeks for repairs.
We always recommend bringing your youth and their bike to the nonprofit Off the Chain Bicycle Collective. Off the Chain is not a drop-off bike shop, but rather a volunteer run bike collective that will help you and your child to repair their own bike. Off the Chain runs by donation, so this is an affordable option for families that cannot make the Tuesday bike checks.
The Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage (907-743-6000), is a sponsor of our 2023 CMBR Kids program. They are open 7 days a week, located at 530 East Benson Boulevard, STE 9C Anchorage AK, 99503. A safety check or tune-up at Trek or any other local bike shop will fulfill the CMBR kids safety check requirements.
Bikes that have already had 2023 tune-ups, or were purchased in 2023 do not need an additional safety check.
2nd Alaska MTB Summit Oct 14-15, 2023
REGISTER at MTBsummit.com
The 1st Alaska MTB Summit happened in 2017. Alaska Trails brought IMBA and the BLM up to highlight their newest publication, the GQTE. “Guidelines for a Quality Trail Experience.”
It’s been six years since we all got together!
Save the date! Alaska Trails, the BLM, Chugach Mountain Biker Riders, Singletrack Advocates, Arctic MTB, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, Mighty Bikes, Hilltop Ski Area and Bike Park, and other Alaskan MTB clubs are banding together once again for the 2nd Alaska MTB Summit at the Government Peak Chalet in Palmer.
The Alaska Mountain Bike Summit seeks to bring together nonprofits, clubs, and mountain biking advocates from across the state to share information and plan a way to maximize the knowledge and expertise in the state to build, maintain, and ride more mountain biking trails.
At a glance:
- What: Alaska Mountain Bike Summit
- Where: Government Peak Chalet, 10690 North Mountain Trails Drive, Palmer, Alaska
- When: 9am – 4pm Saturday, 14 October and Sunday 15 October
- Why: to build a strong statewide mountain bike coalition
- Cost: (includes meals, facility, swag)
REGISTER at MTBsummit.com
*Scholarships available
*Individuals $125 (includes lunch both days)
*Club table $1000 (up to 5 participants)
More information including registration, agenda, and other pertinent news at MTBsummit.com
Mirror Lake Singletrack Trails are Open for 2023!
Mirror Lake Singletrack Trails are OPEN!
Thanks to the 22 people who showed up last night to get them tuned up for your riding pleasure! Early conditions exist, so pre-ride, re-ride, and free-ride. We will have volunteers out working again today, so be aware. (Donating to CMBR is a great way to say thank you!) Enjoy!
Special shout out to the #AdoboMTB crew for bringing the families to trail work parties!
#MirrorLakeSingletrack #BensBikePlayground #ChugachMTB
To clarify: ALL of the singletrack trails are open. Some of the multiuse trails are still pretty wet. Just turn around and use an alternate path if possible. Load up https://www.trailforks.com/region/mirror-lake-18283/ for a map. There’s almost always 2 or more ways to get to the top!
2023 CMBR PRIDE RIDE – Weds June 28th 6pm
New Date! Weds June 28th.
Please come join us in celebrating love, diversity and equality and the powerful history of the LGBTQA+ community with a CMBR BBQ and tour around the Mirror Lake Trails to celebrate Pride month! This Pride Ride is designed to be fun and inclusive for cyclists of all stripes.
We will have 2, well marked, self paced, routes set up for your enjoyment and of course Ben’s Playground!
1. Single Rainbow Route: This 1 mile route will take you around a wider, multiuse trail route that is great for beginner bike riders and kids or anyone just after a relaxed roll in the woods.
2. Double Rainbow Route: This 3.5 mile will take you through some of our favorite single track in a route that is great for the more adventurous riders looking to get familiar with the awesome trails around Mirror Lake
Take your time exploring the trails and bike park, enjoy the amazing lake, company and tasty BBQ prepared by CMBR. We will have trail volunteers riding the trails periodically to check in with all the riders and are happy to offer additional route suggestions and information if you are interested in exploring beyond the marked routes.
Bring the kids, the partners and the friends!
This event does not require registration and is a free event aimed to bring awareness and show support to our LGBTQA+ community but CMBR does request you complete a waiver to participate (https://cmbralaska.org/waiver/) and if you are able to, we would love you to become a CMBR member!
Mirror Lake Spring Trail Work Thurs May 25th, 2023.
TRAILS ARE ALMOST READY!
WHAT: We need everyone out to clear hazards and fix tread before we can open!
WHEN: Thursday May 25th 6:30-8:30pm.
WHERE: Meet at the main trailhead just off the Glenn Hwy at 6:30pm next to Ben’s Bike Playground.
BRING LEAF BLOWERS IF YOU HAVE THEM!
Waivers are on-line. You only need to sign once for the year.
https://app.waiversign.com/e/6088efcaccb8b000196265a7/doc/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6?event=none
We will be opening drains, repairing trail tread, clearing sight lines, lopping hazards and prepping the trails for summer opening.
Bring rakes, flat shovels and loppers if you have them, but we will provide tools if you need them.
Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Remember, Ben’s Bike Playground and Pump Track are already open, so bring your bikes and ENJOY!
2023 CMBR Kids Youth Mountain Bike Club
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR 2023.
CMBR Kids Youth MTB Club provides an introduction to basic mountain biking by teaching fundamental bike handling skills, building confidence on singletrack trails, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through mountain biking.
NEW THIS YEAR: CMBR Littles! 5-7 year olds are welcome to ride with us, but meet for a shorter time (7-7:45pm). Kids will need a bike with hand brakes (no coaster/foot brakes) and must already be able to ride well on pavement and grass. Parents of 5-7 year olds need to remain at the park during the session, and are encouraged to ride with their child(ren).
WHO: Youth ages 5-15 (CMBR Littles ages 5-7)
WHERE: @ the Mirror Lake Singletrack Trails, Chugiak (Mirror Lake exit off the Glenn Hwy)
WHEN: Tuesdays & Thursdays
For 2023 we will meet June 20, (not 22), 27, 29 July (not 4), 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27, August 1, 3.
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:30pm (CMBR Littles 7pm-7:45pm)
COST: $100 CMBR 2023 Family Membership + $50 each child
(Membership is automatically included on registration page)
How do I sign up?
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR 2023.
Teamsnap is our new registration system this year:
https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/369381
*Please note at the end of registration it is not necessary to Protect Your Investment. We will of course work with you if you need to cancel your registration.
What is CMBR Kids Youth Mountain Bike Club?
CMBR Kids (Chugach Moutain Bike Riders) is a parent-led mountain bike club serving youths from 5-15 in Chugiak-Eagle River. The club teaches on the 6 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails at Mirror Lake Park in Chugiak. We do not travel to other locations.
Now in our seventh year, our club typically hosts about 75 youth split into several groups. We meet at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays late June through early August.
For the first 30 minutes or so we work on that evening’s mountain bike skill, and then break into small volunteer-coach-led groups to ride with other youth of a roughly similar skill level. Within the groups, there will be some faster and some slower youth together: the focus is skills, not speed. Over a 6-week period we work through a good overview of mountain bike fundamentals.
Our lead coaches are Level 1 certified through the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP).
We require all youth bikes to be professionally tuned up and safety checked (we offer this $50 safety check for free on June 20 at 7:00pm) and we require everyone to wear helmets.
Other local youth mountain bike programs include the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers’ Sprockidz program in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and Mighty Bikes in Anchorage.
Request for Proposals Mirror Lake 2023 Connecting Trails
CMBR is soliciting proposals to build 1. a gravel multiuse loop for hikers, bikers and dog-walkers to use year-round, 2. a connection from the purple trails to the trailhead at the beginning of Raven’s Ridge, and 3. an uptrack for the new jump lines.
Ben’s Bike Playground Shovel Party and BBQ
Bring your shovels and snowblowers! We’re going to be clearing off the pump track and jumps at Ben’s Bike Playground!
The Mirror Lake Middle School Mountain Bike Club needs a place to ride at the beginning of May, so we’re going to do the best we can to hurry up the melt by clearing the snow for them.
CMBR will have the BBQ going for you. Please sign the trail work waiver before your show up. Thanks!
https://app.waiversign.com/e/6088efcaccb8b000196265a7/doc/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6?event=none
Trek 2023 Blue Booty and Overall Fat Bike Series Results!
CMBR is Growing!
Help us grow beyond Mirror Lake!
CMBR has grant funding for 2023, but needs your matching donations! Every dollar you donate turns into TEN dollars towards the trails and our MTB community. Our goal is to raise $40k.
Please renew your memberships, and don’t forget to PICK-CLICK-GIVE!
In addition to our regular Mirror Lake trail work, CMBR volunteers are now grooming Briggs Bridge and Lower Eagle River Trails in Chugach State Park! We are working with Parks and Rec to build new trails in Beach Lake Park this summer, and we have plans to continue trail improvements at the Mirror Lake Singletrack. Wow!
Your donations make this happen. Thank you.
2023 CMBR Waivers!
2023 CMBR Waivers are up! Sign up once for the year and you’re covered for trail work, group rides, and more!
https://app.waiversign.com/e/6088efcaccb8b000196265a7/doc/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6?event=none
The CMBR Swag Shop is OPEN!
Our swag is available for purchase at https://chugachmtb.bigcartel.com/
Merry Masher 2022 Results
Merry Masher 2022 Course Options
We are working on two options for the Mirror Lake Merry Masher.
First option is a snowmachine-groomed course, using multiuse trails and a loop on Edmonds Lake. This course will depend on how much overflow is on Edmonds:
Merry Masher 2022 Machine Groom Option here:
https://www.trailforks.com/route/merry-masher-2022-machine-groom-option/
The second route is our more-traditional winter XC-style race on snowshoe and snowdog-packed singletrack. We’ll add in these sections if you all can get them packed down. Priority goes to Easy Peasy, Hot Tamale and Raven’s Ridge.
Merry Masher Singletrack Option here:
https://www.trailforks.com/route/merry-masher-2022-singletrack-option/
If it all comes togther we might be able to run both courses together on a longer loop. Our goal is a 6-mile short course and 12-mile long course.
Beach Lake Trail – Alternative I (revised)
Representatives from the Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Rec Board of Supervisors, Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, and the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association stomped around the woods together on Sunday, Nov 20th, in an effort to better understand the needs, wants, and concerns of each user group.
Alternative I (revised), a “Single Bridge” on the portage trail between Beach Lake and the inlet was proposed. This alternative will solve the existing conflict between off-leash dogs and mushers on the Portage Trail (between Beach Lake and the Inlet,) and there will be no loss of mushing trail mileage. It will provide a direct ADA-accessible route to the inlet.
Each group will bring this back to their boards for discussion and further modifications may be made. We are hopeful that this alternative is one that can work for all the interested stakeholders.
Other alternatives may still be considered. Please email CMBRalaska@gmail.com for more information.
Beach Lake Trail Additional Alternatives E & F.
Connecting Eagle River to the Coast
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is working with Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Rec to develop a cost-effective design to bring hikers-bikers-dog walkers-skijorers and other non-motorized users around the west side of Beach Lake to the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet.
We are tasked with protecting the existing dog mushing opportunities, while offering an ADA-accessible trail that will be supported by our fiscally conservative community.
The original proposal can be seen at https://cmbralaska.org/2022/11/09/beach-lake-trail-connecting-eagle-river-to-the-coast/
Alternative F: Two Crossing Solution.
Keep all the mushing trail corridors, but move the inner mushing trail away from the lake edge, then add a multiuse trail 25′ back from the lake. Build a new mushing connection 250′ away from the portage trail between the lake and inlet. Install fencing and gates (or chicanes) to stop casual crossing of the mushing trails.
This Alternative does not give the preferred 100′ separation between uses, and is not a grade separated crossing, but should satisfy all other goals within the grant funding available.
Alternative G: Summer-Only ADA Coastal Access
Upgrade existing social hiking trails to ADA standards
Beach Lake Lodge at the south end of Beach Lake provides barrier-free recreation to ADA standards. The current ADA multiuse trail ends after 1/4 mile where the proposed winter gate is shown on the map.
The mushing trails are open to multiuse in the summer, and while hikers can access the inlet and this trail system through a spider-web of skinny social trails (or bushwhacking through the forest), the inlet is not accessible from the ADA parking lot.
This is a minimal build alternative that does not alter any mushing trail routes, but upgrades existing social hiking trails to ADA standards.
Beach Lake Trail – Connecting Eagle River to the Coast
Thanks to Anchorage Assemblymember Kevin Cross, Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, a Chugiak 501(c)3 nonprofit, has received a federal ARPA grant to improve Chugiak-Eagle River trails and start building the Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail. The first segment proposed to be built is in Beach Lake Park, from Beach Lake Lodge to the Coast. These funds must be used in the next two years.
At 1,750 acres, Chugiak-Eagle River’s largest municipally-owned regional park, Beach Lake Park, has approximately 30 miles of cross-country skiing and dog mushing trails, but less than 1/4 mile of year-round multiuse trail. We propose to build about one mile of year-round multiuse trail along the west side of Beach Lake out to the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. This is an approved trail in the 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan.
Letters of Support, Comments, and Concerns
Please direct any letters of support, comments about, or concerns with this proposal to Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, PO Box 672555, Chugiak, AK 99567. CMBRalaska@gmail.com. The comment period opens Nov 9, 2022.
Public testimony on any park project is welcome at the regular Eagle River/Chugiak Parks and Recreation Board of Supervisors meetings. Board members meet on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 pm. The meeting is held at Eagle River Town Center, MOA Conference Room 170, located at 12001 Business Blvd., Eagle River, AK 99577.
Excerpts from the 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan
Year Round Multi-Use Trails. Although there are miles of trails in the park, none are truly multi-use. There are ski trails or mushing trails. Walkers, bikers, equestrians, and dogs off leash are “out there” in the park to some degree, but at the wrong time of year, these users damage maintained trails, and cause major safety conflicts. Mushers are reluctant to let multi-use trails into the park or near their trails for fear of injury—to unsuspecting users, to mushers, and to dogs. Moreover, there is a fear that multi-use could displace mushers, which is what has historically happened at Far North Bicentennial Park.
Members of the general public, on the other hand, want new trail opportunities that allow them to use Beach Lake Park year-round, especially along the road and near the lake and coast. Some feel that the park is a large regional asset, and “should not just cater to mushers.” The balanced compromise is some new limited multi use, with protection of existing uses.” (BLMP p27)
“A Responsible, and Feasible Option”
“More site specific surveys, problem solving, and environmental analysis will be required in order to ensure that specific elements of the Development Concept Map constitute a responsible, and feasible option.” (BLMP p30)
Phase 2: 2015-2025: “In this timeframe, it is likely that there will be more pressure on the park for improved infrastructure to serve the general public, particularly in the Beach Lake vicinity.” (BLMP p34)
Musher Safety and Trail Separation
Off-leash dogs are the greatest danger to mushers. The 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan calls for grade-separated crossings as a solution to separating mushers from other users at motorized and multiuse crossings. The 2011 Far North Bicentennial Trails Plan in Anchorage has more specific Dog Sled Design Parameters, calling for “250’ minimum sight distance at trail intersections” and states that “100’ parallel separation from other trails is preferable.” As of 2022 all motorized crossings in both Beach Lake and Far North Bicentennial Park are grade-separated, but no grade-separated multiuse crossings have been constructed in the 11 years since both plans were approved. The new mushing trails in Far North Bicentennial Park use fencing and signage to separate multiuse from mushing trails.
Beach Lake Trail Inventory
Hikers have created a high-density network of social trails (in red) connecting the Beach Lake parking lot with the Canoe Landing and Beach Access at the north end of the park. These trails travel natural “desire lines” along the path of least resistance. This route starts on the 1/4 mi gravel multiuse path (green) at Beach Lake Lodge and then cuts through numerous access points onto the lakeside mushing trail (black) which leads to the small creek that drains Beach Lake into the inlet. The crossing from the Canoe Landing to the Beach is the natural portage following the west bank of the creek. This crossing is just over 100 yards, with wetlands to the east, significantly constraining trail design options. All mushing trails at Beach Lake Park are two-way trails.
Trail Use Study
A trail study is currently in process to determine trail use patterns on the proposed multiuse corridor. This study started Fall 2022 after trails closed to multiuse and were managed as “Mushing Only.” Preliminary data show 89% of users (569) passing the trail counter are multiuse: hikers-bikers-boaters-dog walkers-etc. 11% of trail counts are of mushing teams (59 passes). Multiuse people are on the trails 8 days out of 10, with an average of 9 passes of the trail counter per day. Mushers are using the trails 1 day out of 4. It appears that there is a single large mushing team that is using these trails, making an average of 3 passes past the trail counter on days they mush. There were some (two or three) moose on the trail. One lynx, one coyote, and zero bears were counted.
Multiuse Trail Goals and Design
A new multiuse trail will be designed for year-round use: a 12’ wide clearing, hardened 8’ wide with gravel, set back from the lake at least 25’. This design will keep the natural character of the area while allowing winter grooming. It will connect the existing Multiuse Trail to the Inlet Overlook and Beach Access points on the west bank of the creek that drains Beach Lake. This trail will also provide connections for canoers and boaters to paddle across the lake to a dock or landing and access the Inlet Overlook and Beach Access. This proposed soft-surface ADA trail will end at the Inlet Overlook, where users can follow an existing trail to the beach. Split rail fencing will be installed at the Inlet Overlook and where needed along trails. The preferred (Alternative E) trail will “maintain 2-way mushing traffic at the north end of the lake, while allowing a [multiuse] walking trail…” BLMP p 34.
2022 Beach Lake Multiuse Trail Alternatives.
Alternative A – No Action – Mushing Only
Mushing trails are open to multiuse from April 16th-July 31st. The current situation does not provide any year-round legal option for hikers, bikers, or other multiuse path activities around Beach Lake. Several “MUSHING ONLY” signs have been placed along the trails, but according to recent trail counts, there are more hikers using the lakeside mushing trail than dog mushers, leading to user conflict and unsafe conditions for both mushers and hikers.
Alternative B – Multiuse Only
Relocating approximately 1 mile of mushing trails to other parts of the trail system would provide the best separation of uses. It would have the highest impact on current uses, by closing the north end of the lake to mushing. It would be more expensive than preferred Alternative E since it would require building more trails to replace the closed segments.
Alternative C- Grade Separated Crossing – 2011 Concept
A grade-separated crossing is a tunnel or a bridge where the different trails can pass on top of each other without conflict. This is the proposed concept for multiuse trail crossing presented in the 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan. This alternative preserves the existing mushing trails by routing hikers and boaters to a new dock, then over an “aesthetic bridge” up a hill to an overlook atop a 50-foot bluff. It then leads hikers downhill along the bluff edge to the Beach Access. This is by far the most expensive and high-impact option, and it is unlikely that it will stop hikers and boaters from using the existing path-of-least resistance around the lake and across the natural portage.
Alternative D – Fencing
Alternative D attempts to retain existing mushing trails at a fraction of the cost of a grade-separated crossing. Instead of providing 100’ parallel separation between trails, Alternative D would use fencing to separate uses. Unfortunately, this would require a north-south fence extending from Beach Lake almost to the inlet, a high-impact option both visually and ecologically. Furthermore, this option is unable to provide the 250’ recommended sight distance or a safe crossing due to five trail segments converging at one intersection.
Alternative E – Single Crossing – 2022 Preferred Alternative
An affordable, responsible, and feasible option. Alternative E would relocate approximately 0.5 miles of the low-use lakeside mushing trail (half of which is through wetlands, flooded and unusable in the summer) to other parts of the trail system and build a new 8’ wide gravel path (12’ wide clearing) at least 25’ back from the lake. The multiuse trail would cross a single two-way mushing trail with 250’ sight lines. There would be a small amount of fencing (split-rail with a finer backing where needed) and signage along the mushing trail to corral multiuse trail users, and provide a physical barrier and visual cue for both mushers and hikers/bikers/skiers. This alternative provides the preferred 100’ parallel separation between multiuse and mushing trails.
Relocated Mushing Trails
Current mushing trails are dedicated by the Anchorage Assembly and managed by Parks and Rec as Mushing-Only from August 1st-April 15th each year. Chugiak Dog Mushers Association will propose locations for building or rebuilding trails to mitigate mushing trails displaced by multiuse development. The MOA Planning Department has requested that this multiuse trail proposal and pending mushing trail improvements be submitted as separate projects. MOA Title 21.03.190 – Street and trail review, allows certain trails of 1/2 mile or less (Preferred Alternative E) to be approved through a simplified process.
In Summary
The 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan calls for the development of multiuse trails, “especially along the road and near the lake and coast” with “protection of existing uses.”
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is offering to build 1/2 mile of new mushing trail in exchange for closing one of the mushing trails near the inlet. There is Federal grant funding allocated for both this multiuse trail extension, and for relocating 1/2 mile of mushing trail.
The 2011 Beach Lake Master Plan (Alternative C) recommends building a “grade-separated” bridge over the mushing trails, but it also requires “site-specific surveys” and “problem-solving” to ensure that the specific elements of the plan are “responsible and feasible.”
At an estimated $1M cost, this 2011 proposed dock and grade-separated crossing does not match current use demands and is not a fiscally responsible option. While technically feasible, it does not follow existing use patterns and would not solve the conflict of hikers and dog walkers trespassing on mushing trails.
The proposed 2022 Alternative E, a single crossing of a multiuse trail extension and the existing 2-way mushing trail, provides the recommended 250′ sight distance at crossings and 100′ parallel separation to minimize conflict between mushers and other users and will be funded with federal dollars.
2022 MERRY MASHER WINTER FAT BIKE RACE
Race 1 of 3 of the TREK WINTER FAT BIKE SERIES!
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series
We’re going AFTER DARK for the 6th annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
About this event
* Registration ends Tues 12-27-22 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series
We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the sixth annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!
It’s gonna be a PARTY! Light up your rides, as we’re going after dark on a mix of flowy singletrack, a bit of nice wide doubletrack, a couple of great hill climbs, and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak.
You will have the option of one or two 5+ mile laps. You must complete the race in the 2-hour time limit.
The LONGER (2 lap) race will earn points towards the 3-race Trek Winter Bike Series:
- Wed Dec 28th 7pm Merry Masher at Mirror Lake
- Sat Feb 4th 11am Icy River Rampage at Eagle River Nature Center
- Wed Mar 1st 7pm Blue Booty Blitz at APU
If you’re not racing, you are welcome to come out and cheer!
Thanks to Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s race.
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Wednesday, December 28th. Bib Pick-Up 6pm. Race Start 7pm. Course Closes 9pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: $45. ($5 for the untimed youth 1/2 lap ride.)
https://chugachmtb.redpodium.com/trek-winter-fat-bike-series
Recreational Trails Program Public Notice
We are excited to be partnering with the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association to provide new mountain biking, hiking, and dog mushing opportunities in Beach Lake Park! We are applying for a Recreational Trails Programs grant to fund this trail expansion! Please contact us by Oct 31, 2022 if you have any comments in favor or against this proposal.
CMBR is hiring!
Executive Director
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders (CMBR)
Chugiak-Eagle River, Alaska
15-20 hours per week (0.5 FTE)
Salary: $26k/year (0.5 FTE)
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders has grown from four people with a dream of building mountain bike trails and a $400 budget in 2015, to the leading trail organization in Chugiak-Eagle River with a 2022 budget of over $400k. This all-volunteer organization is looking for an outgoing and dedicated Executive Director with excellent people skills to enable our volunteers to continue building our local mountain bike trails and community.
Volunteer Coordination
Supporting our volunteer-led organization is priority one. This Executive Director will support the volunteer secretary and treasurer to ensure that CMBR is compliant with local, state, and federal permits, bookkeeping, tax reporting, etc. The ED will work with and support CMBR kids youth MTB club volunteers, volunteer race directors, and volunteer trail crews.
Advocacy and Lobbying
This Executive Director will proactively develop relationships with local, state, and federal elected representatives and agencies, as well as tribal governments, native corporations, local businesses, and land owners. The ED will attend and promote CMBR at local community councils, Park and Recreation meetings, and develop coalitions with other nonprofit organizations.
Fundraising and Donor Stewardship
This Executive Director will be an experienced and successful grant writer, able to manage grant projects and grant reporting. The ED will actively fundraise locally and nationally, and develop and oversee our donor stewardship program.
Project Management
Furthermore, this ED must be experienced with MTB trail building and able to shepherd CMBR trail projects through public process, fundraising, permitting, bidding, implementation, and reporting. Our current priorities include the MTB singletrack trails at Mirror Lake and the Chugiak-Eagle River Greenbelt Trails connecting Eagle River to Eklutna through Beach Lake and Mirror Lake parks.
Communications and Promotion
The Executive Director will oversee promotion, communication, and design, and advocate for CMBR on social media, email, websites, traditional mail, posters, and other means as necessary.
Other Duties as required.
CMBR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Submit resume and cover letter by September 30, 2022 to andrew@CMBRalaska.org
2022 Muddy Masher Race Results
2022 Muddy Masher Downcountry MTB Race
Need an excuse to ride the NEW TRAILS at Mirror Lake? Check out Ben’s Bike Playground? Join us for the MUDDY MASHER mountain bike race!
About this event
* Registration ends Sat 09-10-22 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*
We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the first annual Mirror Lake MUDDY Masher DOWNCOUNTRY bike race!
What does downcountry mean? Welp, it’s your standard multi-lap XC MTB race with the new downhill lines in the loop. These are all rollable, but should put a little excitement into your flow! (as well as some climbs to get your heart racing.)
This is not a cyclocross race. 2.2″ width tires minimum to protect the trails.
The race course is dependent on conditions, but expect a short course (6+ miles) and a long course (12+ mile) options that can be finished within the 2-hour time limit. There will be a youth single-lap race starting at the same time.
This event fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Sunday, Sept 11th. Bib Pick-Up 2pm. Race Start 3pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: $35 adults/$15 youth
SUPPORT THE NORTHERN COASTAL TRAIL!
Please send an email in support to the Anchorage Assembly at wwmas@anchorageak.gov for CMBR’s $1.5M ARPA request for “Rebuilding, re-establishing, and expanding the Chugiak Eagle River Trail System”
The Muni reconvenes at a work session to discuss ARPA funding on Thurs July 7th.
We especially could use support from Assembly members from the Anchorage Bowl!
You can find your assembly person at: https://www.muni.org/departments/assembly/pages/contact%20information.aspx
ARPA PROJECT TITLE: Rebuilding, re-establishing, and expanding the Chugiak Eagle River Trail System
SHORT DESCRIPTION: Progress with the Anchorage Trails Plan with an emphasis on the Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail.
ORGANIZATION NAME: Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, 501(C)3
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $1.5M
Dear Assembly Members,
I encourage you to fund trails in Chugiak-Eagle River. In addition to repairing existing mushing, xc skiing, mountain biking, and hiking trails, CMBR will START CONSTRUCTION on the muni-approved FIRE CREEK TRAIL connecting Eagle River to the Coast (Coastal Trail Plan and Areawide Trails Plan). This trail will follow the Historic Iditarod Trail and be part of the Alaska Long Trail system connecting Eagle River to Eklutna.
The Muni owns a trail easement along Fire Creek as a part of ANCSA/ANILCA, and much of this trail section would be within the Muni-owned Beach Lake Park, and is included in the Beach Lake Park master plan.
Thank You!
Mirror Lake MTB Update June 2022
BEN’S BIKE PLAYGROUND IS OPEN!
Come out and enjoy the pump track, balance features, and jump lines. We have beginner, intermediate and expert options, so please walk the trails with your kiddos before you send them off!
MORE NEW TRAILS BY THE OVERLOOK!
Professional trail builders Happy Trails has just finished building two new trails off Hot Tamale/Overlook Trail. These beginner-intermediate gravity trails are a step up from Ben’s Bike Playground and include Ben’s Jump Line, “the BEE-Line,” (a nod to the Hillside and her workers) and a flowy pump-trail in the woods “Lazy-G,” named after Ben’s dog Georgie, whose ashes are spread with Ben’s on top of Bear Mountain.
WARNING: NEW CHICANE/GATE ON HOT TAMALE.
We have installed a chicane/gate on Hot Tamale where it crosses the new trails. Be aware of the new traffic flow and slow down by the new construction.
WEDNESDAY TRAIL WORK PARTIES!
We expect to open these new gravity trails in early August, and need YOUR HELP to clear hazards, lop roots, stack logs, install sign posts and prep the trails for muni inspection in late July.Meet on the back road (CAMP GORSUCH RD.) and head up the multiuse trail to the OVERLOOK.
Weds June 29th, 2022 6:30-8:30pm
Weds July 6th, 2022 6:30-8:30pm
CMBR Kids Starts NEXT WEEK!
CMBR Kids Starts NEXT WEEK!
We still have a few spots left for our youth MTB club, and a FULL week of skill building options scheduled for our volunteers! We are certifying our lead coaches through the nationally recognized Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP).
Register your kiddos at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mirror-lake-youth-mountain-club-july-august-2022-registration-318125671447
Tues June 28th CMBR Kids Coach Meeting at OMR
Tues July 5th CMBR Kids First Session
Weds July 6th CMBR Kids Coach training with BICP Instructor Sofia Petroni
Thurs July 7th CMBR Kids Night #2
Fri July 8th – Sun July 10th CMBR Kids Coach BICP Instructor Certification (FULL)
TRAIL SPONSORS NEEDED!
We are still looking for sponsors for the new jump lines. Individual family sponsorship starts at $500, we suggest $5000 for corporate sponsorship.
BEN’S HATS ARE IN!
Stop by Alaska Cycle Chic on Northern Lights (across from the Bicycle Shop) or the Trek Store of Anchorage on Benson (behind REI) to pick yours up and support the trails!
Ben’s Pump Track at Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake Trails Closed for Spring Breakup.
Trail Building Update April 22
Mirror Lake trail building season has begun!
Please stay off of the Red Loop/Hot Tamale this week (April 11, 2022) as crews work to clear corridors for a new jump line and a pumpy flow trail!
The Eagle River Greenbelt
The 𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗟𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗧 would create a hiking and biking path from the Eagle River Nature Center to the Glenn Hwy inside Chugach State Park.
It would help connect the 𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟 by following the Historic Iditarod Trail and link the Crow Pass Trail to downtown Eagle River.
Please let your Alaska state legislator know your opinion on the Eagle River Greenbelt and the Alaska Long Trail, as both projects have been submitted for funding in this year’s capital budget.
#ConnectMirrorLake with BikeMaps.org
Hi folks! We need your help identifying dangerous locations for cyclists! Feb 14, 2022 is the AMATS/DOT deadline for bike path project nominations for the next 3 years. Any problem locations you can identify on bikemaps.org will help us in our efforts.
You can also submit your own bike path nominations at: https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/AMATS/Pages/default.aspx
Merry Masher Results
Merry Masher 21 Course Map
The 2021 Merry Masher course is groomed and ready to ride! Course is counter-clockwise starting at the beach and then around Mirror Lake. Cut up at the Lakeside bench, out Easy Peasy, around Raven’s Ridge to Edmonds Lake, around the lake and up Red Bog trail to the clockwise entrance to Hot Tamale, cut left at the northern part of the 5k Multiuse and head back and take Wilson’s Way to the finish.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION AT: https://cmbralaska.org/2021/11/27/merry-masher-2021/
Connect Eklutna: Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail.
The Northern Extension of the Coastal Trail would connect Eklutna to Eagle River and link the Mirror Lake and Beach Lake trail systems.
* Map from the 1982 “Coastal Trail Plan: Ship Creek to Eklutna”
Beginner Fat Bike Ride at Mirror Lake
Interested in checking out FAT BIKING at Mirror Lake?
Come out Sunday November 28th, 2021, meet at the main parking lot at 1pm and we will ride a mile loop around Mirror Lake, then head out for 2 more miles of rolling trails through the woods.
Most of the trails have been snowshoe packed, or groomed with our SnowDog, but there may be some sections of fluffy goodness for us to push our bikes through.
If you haven’t already filled out at 2021 CMBR waiver, please sign one online before arriving. Thanks!
https://app.waiversign.com/e/6088efcaccb8b000196265a7/doc/6088f0f7ccb8b000196265c6?event=none
Merry Masher Winter Bike Race 2021
UPDATE 8pm Tues Dec 28th, 2021:
THE RACE IS ON! Registration closes tonight at midnight. See you tomorrow Weds Dec 29th: 6pm bib pickup, 7pm start, 9pm cutoff.
—————————
We’re going AFTER DARK for the 5th annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
About this event
* Registration ends Tues 12-28-21 11:59 pm. There is NO IN-PERSON registration*
We are pleased to announce Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage as the sponsor for the fifth annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!
It’s gonna be a PARTY! Light up your rides, as we’re going after dark on a mix of flowy singletrack, a bit of nice wide doubletrack, a couple of great hill climbs, and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak.
PRIZES FOR THE BEST ON-BIKE LIGHT SHOWS (costume, decorations, you decide.)
You will have the option of one or two 5+ mile laps. You must complete the race in the 2-hour time limit.
COURSE MAP HERE: https://cmbralaska.org/2021/12/19/merry-masher-21-course-map/
If you’re not racing, you are welcome to come out and cheer!
Thanks to Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage for sponsoring this year’s race.
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Wednesday, December 29th. Bibs Pick-Up 6pm. Race Start 7pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: This is a member-only race. FREE to members, though we appreciate any additional donations!
(CMBR Membership $50 Individual/$100 Family)
Free Training: Building Berms and Repairing Rollers.
Join CMBR and Happy Trails on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 from 5-6:30pm for a professional trail-building session on berm and roller shaping and repair.
Ben’s Bike Playground is nearly complete, and CMBR is here to teach YOU how to BUILD, RIDE and MAINTAIN the new jump lines and pump track.
We realize this may be an awkward time for folks, but we are trying to catch the Happy Trails builders before they move on to their next project.
We expect Ben’s Bike Playground construction to be complete by mid to late September. After that we will wait for a couple weeks of dry weather for the trails to harden before opening.
Trail Construction Notice
Monday July 19, 2021
CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Ben’s Bike Playground is happening! Mirror Lake north parking lot is closed, but trails will remain open, follow the detour signs. Overflow parking available at the boat launch, 400 yards past the beach.
Tuesday July 6, 2021- CMBR Kids CANCELLED
We were really hoping the skies would dry up for our first official CMBR Kids session. While the rain has let up some, we recognize that standing around in the rain for our first lesson would not be the fun night we were looking forward to. You are welcome to come ride the trails with your families but we are cancelling tonight’s session. We will see you on Thursday!
2021 CMBR kids Rain Policy
Hello Parents,
We’ve had a few questions about rain today Tuesday, July 6th. (hello Alaskan summer).
Yes, CMBR Kids meets rain or shine, however if it’s really pouring, no one seems to have fun.
Because the forecast is drenched with a chance of showers, we WILL UPDATE THE http://www.CMBRalaska.org WEBSITE at 5pm to let you know if we will meet or not.
Thanks!
2021 CMBR Kids Registration!
Details Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cmbr-kids-youth-mountain-bike-club-2021-registration-156766198921
UPDATE June 9, 2021. Boys Club is now on a waiting list.
Registration for CMBR Kids MTB Club is opening Monday, June 7th at 7pm! The cost is $100 for a family membership and $25 for each child registered for CMBR Kids. If you have not renewed your membership, do so today and you will be first in line for registration! Registration is a two step process. Step One: Renew your family membership. Members will receive an email with a promo code that removes the $100 family membership fee during CMBR Kids registration. Step Two: Register for CMBR Kids- pay $25 per child. We can’t wait to see you out on the trails!
2021 CMBR kids MTB club
Trails are Open for Summer 2021!
CMBR Waiver
Recreational Trails Grant Application Public Notice March 30, 2021
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is providing a 30-day public notice of its intent to apply for an Alaska Recreational Trail Program grant for the rehabilitation and realignment of the existing 2.5k multiuse trail at Mirror Lake Park. Trail improvements will be focused nearest the main trailhead and picnic area. Public Comment or Opposition can be submitted at the methods listed above. The deadline for public comment is April 20, 2021.
Ben’s Bike Playground Needs Your Help!
We have raised $185k out of our $215k goal to build a trailhead bike park at Mirror Lake. We need to order the skills features and prefabricated jumps by MID-MARCH, so they will arrive in time for our July-August build window.
Please renew your CMBR membership, choose Chugach Mountain Bike Riders as a recipient of your Pick-Click-Give, see if your employer can make a matching donation, or just become a playground sponsor!
Until MARCH 10th, 2021 we are running a special fundraiser with the OUTRIDE FUND for up to $15k of MATCHING DONATIONS! Check it out!
Our final concept design is truly world-class. A sweet pump track, upgrades to the multiuse trail near the lake, and a full spectrum of skills and jump lines.
Major donors include the Municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska Electric Association, the Pressman Family Foundation and CMBR members.
Pick. Click. Give!
Pick. Click. Give! Our 2021 plans include a pump track, skills loop, and jump lines at Mirror Lake. Your donations to Chugach Mountain Bike Riders make it happen!
2020 Merry Masher Results
2020 Merry Masher start times are posted!
Roster is posted here:
Bib pickup is 11am-1pm on Saturday Dec 26th. Please be at the start line 2 minutes before your race time.
Beginner course has been groomed, Expert loops have some ungroomed sections. Enjoy!
TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MERRY MASHER!
1. FAT BIKES RACE FIRST. Mirror Lake trails, though packed, are not as hard as those in town. Plus bikes are allowed but will be racing after all the fat bikes have left to minimize ruts early in the race. Please let us know ahead of time if you’re on a tire smaller than 3.6″ wide.
2. TWO OPEN CLASSES FOR AWARDS. We have medals for the top 3 finishers for each course (the Beginner/Standard 5-mile course and the Sport/Expert 7-mile course) We forgot to ask gender and age during registration, so we’ll try to figure that out on race day, but for now, it’s a two-category race.
3. EXPERTS RACE AT NOON. Sport and Beginners follow. We expect to start everyone 1 minute apart between noon and 1:30 pm.
4. COVID MEANS NO SPECTATORS. We do, however, need safety volunteers at many intersections, so shoot us an email and we’ll give you an assignment that involves cheering your loved one!
5. MASKS ON WITHIN 10 FEET. You know the drill.
6. NO GROUPS LARGER THAN 10. Be at the start 2 minutes before your assigned time, not earlier. Start order will be posted on Christmas.
7. THE EXPERT LOOP IS TECHNICAL. There is a rollable 3′ drop onto the lake. Experts should be able to launch it at high speed. There are other fun features to excite you.
8. THE BEGINNER LOOP ALSO HAS CHALLENGING CLIMBS. Not as many as the expert loop, but with this new snow you will be enjoying a good cardio workout.
9. WE PROBABLY FORGOT SOMETHING.
10. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE TRAILS!
2020 Merry Masher Winter Bike Race
2020 Mirror Lake Merry Masher Winter Bike Race artwork by Canvas and Clay in AK.
A Bike Park at Mirror Lake!
We are happy to announce Ben’s Bike Playground, a bike park for Mirror Lake! Construction is scheduled for Summer 2021!
Ben’s Bike Playground will include a pump track, skills loop and jump lines to create a terrific spot for beginner and intermediate riders to hone their mountain bike skills!
As of November 2020, CMBR has raised over $160k with a goal of $215k to fully build this bike park. Donations are being accepted through GiveLively.
A pump track teaches riders to gain free speed by weighting and unweighting, or “pumping” their bike over rollers and berms instead of pedaling. Take a look at this great new wooded pump track at Cope Park in Juneau!
A skills loop on the other hand is a series of balance features, teaching riders to stay on their line. We envision building our through the woods, and not in the field, but here’s a good example from Costa Rica.
And jump lines? Well, here’s a cool jump line from Seward’s Bike Park!
Become a part of Ben’s Bike Playground and donate at GiveLively!
CMBRkids August Sessions Suspended.
A Message from Chugach Mountain Bike Riders:
Hi folks, we’re bummed about the rise of COVID cases in our community and the new Muni COVID “4-week reset” order, but we understand the need, and have been requested to limit outings to our households and “small chosen group of other individuals.”
At the mayor’s request, we have decided to suspend the rest of the CMBRkids season. CMBRkids will not be meeting in August.
We apologize for the disruption to what has been such a fun and well attended season, but know that you, as well as we, value the safety of our community.
We look forward to working again with you next summer and please, now that you–or at least your kids, are familiar with the Mirror Lake trails, get out and enjoy this great outdoor resource in Chugiak.
Remember, your CMBR membership is good for the rest of the year. If this “reset” is successful, we are open to sponsoring a mountain bike program for the kids in September. Let us know if any of you would like to help organize a fall CMBR kids session, it will only run if we have enough volunteers to safely manage the kids.
Thanks, and remember to get out and ride!
Women’s Bike Skills. Mondays at Mirror Lake.
Monday nights are ladies nights at the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
Each week a little different. Come out and be socially distant with us!
Clincs will be woman-led by a certified Professional Mountain Bike Instructor.
WHO: Women of all skill levels! We’d especially love to have the moms of our CMBRkids riders join us!
WHERE: @ the Mirror Lake Singletrack Trails, Chugiak (Mirror Lake exit off the Glenn Hwy)
WHEN: Mondays in July and August! (Sign up for ONE NIGHT at a time, you do not need to attend all the sessions.) Session #1 is Monday, July 13th.
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
COST: By donation. All donations will go to Chugach Mountain Bike Riders 501(c)3 with special emphasis on raising funds for a BIKE PLAYGROUND (pump track, skills loop, and jump lines) at Mirror Lake Park.
SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER FOR MONDAY #3 (Aug 3rd) HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cmbr-womens-mtb-skill-clinic-3-registration-115098827692
COVID NOTE: In accordance with our permit from Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation, a health screening and contact tracing is required for every session. Women are required to wear masks when arriving. Six feet distancing is required whenever possible. Masks must be carried while riding, but are not required when riding more than ten feet apart.
CMBR Kids Loops
Hi CMBR kids and coaches! Here are the suggested loops for the first night of bike club 2020! They are listed in order of difficulty. We will be riding counter-clockwise. (Turn right on Easy Peasy/Green to start.)
CMBRkids 2020 Forms
Hi Parents!
Please print and fill out these forms for the first day of CMBR kids bike club!
CMBRKidshandout2020
Final CMBR Activities Release & Emergency Contact Info CMBR kids wavier 2020
CMBR COVID WAIVER 2020![CMBR mitigation plan[Revised].docx](https://i0.wp.com/cmbralaska.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cmbr-mitigation-planrevised.docx.png?resize=625%2C809&ssl=1)
CMBR mitigation plan[Revised].docx
2020 Midsummer Masher MTB Time Trial Race
Sign up now for the Mirror Lake Midsummer Masher MTB Time Trial Race on Sunday, June 28. Online entry is open now!
https://trekstorealaska.redpodium.com/mirror-lake-midsummer-masher-mtb-time-trial-race
Our 2020 race is sponsored by the Trek Store of Anchorage. This will be a short and steep, approximately 4-mile race, one racer at a time against the clock.
This is a race for all abilities and an especially great event for newer riders wanting to do their first mountain bike race. Riders leave at 30-second intervals and ride the course as fast as they can.
Who: Mountain bikers!
What: A four-mile time trial race against the clock.
When: Sunday, June 28. Check-in starts at 12pm. Race starts at 1pm.
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Chugiak
Cost: $15.00 online, $20 onsite, free for juniors age 12 and under.
Course: Check out the proposed course on Trailforks.
https://www.trailforks.com/route/merry-masher-2020-time-trial-proposed/
COVID PRECAUTIONS – Our permit requires masks for check-in and spectating. Masks are not required during the race. Thanks!
CMBR kids (and adult) T-Shirts are here!
CMBRkids shirts are available now! Buy 2 and get a discount. We’ve got adults shirts too!
Orange kids shirts: https://www.redbubble.com/i/kids-t-shirt/Chugach-Mountain-Bike-Riders-by-CMBRalaska/46904908.7INPF
Blue adult shirts: https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Chugach-Mountain-Bike-Riders-by-CMBRalaska/46904908.LBH8E
CMBRkids Loop
Are you bringing the kiddos out to ride singletrack for the first time? Or maybe you’re looking for a little taste yourself? This is a 1/2 mile loop that starts from the main parking lot trailhead. It’s real singletrack with lots of ups and downs, twists and turns, but it’s not as technically challenging as the trails on the back side of the park.
Be sure to go 50 yards to the RIGHT of the main map, back towards the picnic area to find the multiuse trailhead.
You can find a GPS map of this loop for your phone on Trailforks at:
https://www.trailforks.com/route/cmbrkids-loop-easy-peasy-to-wilson-s-way/
We are open for summer 2020!
Please support the trails at https://www.joinit.org/o/cmbralaska/
Member Preview Day!
A huge thank you to our members and donors for supporting the Mirror Lake Singletrack!
We will be opening the trails to the public on Friday May 15th, 2020, but would like to extend a special invitation a day early to all those who have supported us during these past five years!
So please come out Thursday May 14th, 2020 for a Member Preview Day and run, ride or walk the Mirror Lake Singletrack trails!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
We are so proud of this community for coming together during this time of social distancing to rake and repair the trails for summer. You are the best!
One more thing: We just switched to a online membership system, and we probably made a few mistakes. Please log in and update your email, addresses, etc.
You will also able to check your renewal status, and date of last donation.
We love you guys!
Join us on Strava!
Curious where everyone else is riding these days? Questions about trail conditions? Maybe a virtual race? Get a free account on Strava, track your rides, and join us online!
https://www.strava.com/clubs/CMBRalaska
The CMBR Strava club is open to anyone who pedals the Chugach Mountains, including but not limited to the riders from Mirror Lake Middle School mountain bike club, and CMBRkids youth summer mountain bike program.
CMBR is the only 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit dedicated to educating and organizing the Chugiak-Eagle River community to build, maintain and ride sustainable mountain bike trails on public lands.
CMBR Jersey Preorders!
CMBR Club Ride mountain bike jerseys are coming! CMBR logo on the sleeve and “CMBR” printed above the pocket. Nice!
We are ordering jerseys for our CMBRkids coaches (volunteer to coach and get a shirt for free!) For the rest of you CMBR folks, we are offering a huuuge discount preorder until March 15th. Limited selection at retail prices may be available at Speedway Cycles mid-April.
It would also be cool if you joined or renewed your CMBR membership.
Preorder by March 15th and pay $65 mens/$55 womens. Dang!
Regular price is $90 mens/$70 womens.
Check out Men’s and Women’s sizing on the Club Ride website.
Click the size/style below to add it to your PayPal cart. You can add multiple items for one checkout, just “continue shopping,” click VIEW CART to go back to PayPal.
PREORDERS ARE CLOSED. THANKS!
- Mens XXL Detour CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Mens XL Detour CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Mens L Detour CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Mens M Detour CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Mens S Detour CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Womens XL Bandara CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Womens L Bandara CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Womens M Bandara CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Womens S Bandara CMBR Club Ride Shirt
- Womens XS Bandara CMBR Club Ride Shirt
Shirts will be arriving late April and will be available for pick-up at Speedway Cycles in Anchorage or at our CMBR Trail Work days at the Mirror Lake Singletrack (dates TBA).
We’d like to give Club Ride a big shout-out for their support of our CMBRkids program, thanks so much!
Merry Masher 2019 Results!
![merry masher cmbr laps 28dec19[23964]](https://i0.wp.com/cmbralaska.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/merry-masher-cmbr-laps-28dec1923964.jpeg?resize=625%2C1091&ssl=1)
Merry Masher Race and Eklunta Inc. Permits!
Join or renew your CMBR membership and you can race the Sat Dec 28th, 2019 Merry Masher FOR FREE!
Also, all CMBR memberships include a club permit to ride Eklunta, Inc. trails.
We would prefer that you join/renew and register for the race through EVENTBRITE, although they do charge a small fee, it really helps our volunteers to collect roster information and liability waivers automatically.
When you click register there is a “no race” option if that works better for you.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mirror-lake-merry-masher-winter-bike-race-registration-84427664417
We also can accept donations through PayPal, but you will need to send us your contact information, as they only share your email with us. This option requires a bit more work for our volunteers to process.
Finally, you can send us a check! This is great for larger donations and there are no fees, but it may take us a while to get you entered into the system! Be sure to include a little note with your contact information and what the check is for. Our mailing address is Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, PO Box 672555, Chugiak, AK 99567.
Thanks!
A New Bridge on the Bog Trail.
We’re happy to have a new bridge and boardwalk installed on the Bog Trail near Edmonds Lake. Thanks so much to ACF Church and the Boy Scouts for putting together this great Eagle Scout project!
Midsummer Masher Course Preview Thurs June 27th 7pm
We’re gonna head out and check the Midsummer Masher course to make sure it’s all ready to go!
Come and join us Thursday June 27th at 7pm for a no-drop course pre-ride (that means we’ll wait for everyone at the major intersections).
Hope to see you out riding the new trails!
Race information here: https://cmbralaska.org/races/
Adult Beginner Mountain Bike Class, July 1st and 8th.
Want to keep up with your kiddos on the singletrack trails?
Looking to move from the paved bike path to the new trails that twist and roll through the woods?
Join us for two Monday evenings July 1st and 8th from 7-8:30pm at Mirror Lake Park to cover the basics and get you out on the trails!
We will cover bike checks, shifting and braking effectively, riding up and down hills, and turning/cornering.
We focus a lot on separating yourself from your seat so you can use the whole bike to balance through varied terrain.
Our curriculum is based on the NICA high-school inspried program used in our CMBR kids classes.
This class is for 18+. Priority is given to parents with children registered in the CMBR kids program.
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cmbr-adult-beginner-mountain-bike-skills-class-registration-63320944650
Midsummer Masher Race, June 30th. Registration Open!
THE MIDSUMMER MASHER
The Mirror Lake Midsummer Masher mountain bike race is offered in partnership with Arctic MTB’s summer Mountain Bike series. Arctic MTB (through the Arctic Bicycle Club) covers the insurance and registration for the Midsummer Masher as well as the vast majority of Southcentral Alaska’s summer bike races (Road, Mountain and Cyclocross.) A portion of every Masher registration is donated to CMBR.
WHEN: Sunday June 30th, 1pm start.
WHERE: Click for the Midsummer Masher Map on Trailforks
COST: early registration is $20 adults/free for juniors ($30 race day). An annual Arctic MTB (ABC) race membership is required. This is not the same as a CMBR membership. For those racing the Arctic MTB series, please bring your bib, but you must register for the Midsummer Masher separately. ArcticMTB will donate $5 from each registration to CMBR. (Registration is $30 day of race.)
REGISTER HERE: https://arcticmtb.redpodium.com/midsummer-masher
2019 CMBR kids registration is open!
We are happy to announce CMBR KIDS, a parent-led youth bike club for ages 8-16 Tuesday and Thursday evenings July 2nd-August 15th from 7-8:30pm at Mirror Lake Park.
We are relying on parents and community volunteers to help coach and supervise the program.
Cost is $100 for the first child, $25 for each additional. (Registration fee includes a family membership to CMBR. If your family is current members of CMBR your first child is FREE!)
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cmbr-kids-youth-mountain-bike-club-tickets-62821303209
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact wendy@CMBRalaska.org.
![CMBRkidsCamp2019[12528]](https://i0.wp.com/cmbralaska.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cmbrkidscamp201912528.jpg?resize=625%2C483&ssl=1)
Trail Work Thursdays!
Join us Thursday evenings in May 2019 from 6:30-8:30 to get the trails ready for summer! We will be clearing hazards, installing signs, opening drains and repairing trail tread. Hope to see you there!
Thurs May 9th meet on Camp Gorsuch Rd. We will be working purple and blue trails.
Thurs May 16th meet at the main parking lot. TREK will be hosting a BBQ afterwards! We will be working yellow and green trails.
Thurs May 23rd meet on Camp Gorsuch Rd. We will be working red and pink trails.
Wilson’s Way
Chris Wilson is the guy who started the Mirror Lake Singletrack project. He and a small crew of volunteers worked for years pushing the idea, raising funds, designing trails and building community support. We’re happy to name the Yellow Trail WILSON’S WAY after Chris.
Hot Tamale!
The Red Trail is kinda spicy, so now we’re calling it HOT TAMALE!
Enjoy!
Raven’s Ridge
We are so thankful to have our trickster trail builder (and group ride enthusiast) Clark as a part of the crew.
The Blue Loop singletrack has been christened RAVEN’S RIDGE in his honor.
Keep up the great work, Clark!
Announcing Maeve’s Maze!
We’re stoked to announce that Maeve’s Maze is one of our newly approved trail names!
Maeve’s Maze is a part of the new session loops in the purple section, filled with nice flowy berms and a few good jumps. It’s also pretty easy to get turned around in there if you’re not paying attention!
Maeve is a Senior Park Planner for Anchorage’s Parks and Rec and has spent years pushing our projects to completion. Thanks, Maeve for all you do to strengthen mountain biking in our communities!
Thanks, Maeve!
CMBR Newsletter Feb 2019
Click here for our Feb 2019 CMBR newsletter!
Help us pick some real names for the Mirror Lake Singletrack!
Come out to Matanuska Brewing in Eagle River this Sunday February 10th 6:30pm and help us pick some real trail names for the Mirror Lake Singletrack!
Yep, the colors were always meant as a temporary thing. Our Grand Opening is June 1st, and we need to get our maps and signs ready.
We’ll be drinking beers and brainstorming upstairs, so please stop by!
ALSO:
1. Icy River Rampage Sat Feb 9th!
https://www.ernc.org/courses/icy-river-rampage
This 20/10-mile winter bike race is a fundraiser for the Nature Center. Race will start and end at the Center, with some riding on the frozen Eagle River. There will be an award ceremony, fire and barbecue after the race. Entry fee is $35 if pre-registered, and $40 on the day of the race. Race is sponsored by the Trek Bicycle Store in Anchorage.
2. Eagle River Fat Tire Rides Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/306687573159452/
Twice a week beginner-to-intermediate fat bike riding group in Chugiak-Eagle River. Rides announced on Facebook.
3. Club Permit to ride Eklutna, Inc. Private Trails.
https://cmbralaska.org/eklutna-inc-trail-permits/
We are happy to partner with Eklutna, Inc. to provide current CMBR members a permit to ride the private Eklutna, Inc. trails between Peters Creek and the Eklutna River (behind Mirror Lake Middle School), and also the South Fork Eagle River Confluence “Singletrack” Trails off of the Briggs Bridge trail. This opens over a dozen miles of bike trails to Chugiak-Eagle River riders!
4. Renew your CMBR membership today!
https://cmbralaska.org/join-cmbr/
Thanks to everyone who renewed their memberships during our winter fundraising drive! Upcoming trail projects include maps and trail signs, repairing muddy spots, adding a few skill-building features and year-round trail mainentance. Our youth summer program CMBR-kids will be starting up in June and spring trail work starts mid-May. If you haven’t already, please consider joining or renewing your CMBR membership!
5. Thanks trail packers and groomers! WE LOVE SNOWSHOERS!
We’re lucky to have a crew of folks who regularly snowshoe the trails to pack them down for fat bike riding, this helps smooth out any bumps left by walkers.. Please tell your friends that we welcome snowshoes on the trails!
6. CMBR Email List
https://mailchi.mp/e48d374c2d6f/cmbralaska
You may have noticed that we’ve moved over to MailChimp for our emails. We’ve tried our best to get everyone’s information correct. Our apologies if you received this email by mistake. You can now update your email and preferences through the links at the bottom of this page.
Thanks so much!
Mirror Lake Trail Naming Party!
Come out to Matanuska Brewing in Eagle River on Sunday February 10th 6:30-8:30pm and help us pick some real trail names for the Mirror Lake Singletrack!
Yep, the colors were always meant as a temporary thing. Our Grand Opening is June 1st, and we need to get our maps and signs ready.
We’ll be drinking beers and brainstorming upstairs, so please stop by!
Merry Masher 2018 Race Results!
Merry Masher results are in! (Ranking is prioritized by initial choice of division, racers who switched divisions are ranked in order at the end) Thanks Bob and Meg for timing!
Merry Masher 2018 Course Map
Our brand new 2018 Merry Masher course offers a great sampling of what Mirror Lake has to offer. Flat lake riding, a couple long hill climbs, some nice rolling doubletrack and a few sections of tight singletrack.
If you’re looking for a quick beginner-friendly WINTER-ONLY loop, we recommend riding the old 2.5k doubletrack loop shown below. It avoids the hill climbs and the twisty singletrack sections. You can extend the loop by two miles by riding around Edmonds (1 mi.) and Mirror (1 mi.) Lakes.
Merry Masher 2018 Race Registration is Open!
* Current members please email us for your discount/promotional code. *
Enjoy A BRAND NEW COURSE at the second annual Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race, a fundraiser for the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
We’ve got over five miles of flowy new singletrack, nice wide doubletrack, a couple hill climbs and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak. Choose your distance: Beginner (1 lap), Sport (2 laps) or Expert (3 laps).
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the improvement of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Saturday December 29th at noon. (Bib-Pickup from 11:00-11:45)
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: Early registration is FREE to members! $35 non-members.
(CMBR Membership $50 Individual/$100 Family.)
Race day registration is $5 member/ $40 non-member.
A big thanks to Chain Reaction Cycles for sponsoring the race.
Don’t want to race, but still want to be a part of it all? We need volunteers to make this happen!
Questions? Email CMBRalaska@gmail.com or call Will 907-688-5288.
More Trails Opened to CMBR Members!
Full size map here: CMBR Eklutna Permit Map
We are happy to partner with Eklutna, Inc. to provide CMBR members a permit to ride the private Eklutna, Inc. trails between Peters Creek and the Eklutna River (behind Mirror Lake Middle School), and also the South Fork Eagle River Confluence “Singletrack” Trails off of the Briggs Bridge trail.
This opens over a dozen miles of bike trails to Chugiak-Eagle River riders!
Note: Permitted areas are highlighted in yellow. Eklunta, Inc. lands within the permitted areas are outlined in white. Some areas within the permitted area are within State and Municipal Park boundaries, and some areas are under other private ownership.
Common access points to Eklutna, Inc. trails include:
- Stoltze Road Bridge, which provides access to the mouth of Peters Creek and the Peters Creek hayflats.
- Behind the Red Gate at Mirror Lake Middle School. This connects to the Upper and Lower Powerline trails as well as the Old 4WD Trail and the Bluff Singletrack.
- The South Fork Confluence “Singletrack” trails begin uphill from Chugach State Park’s Briggs Bridge to South Fork Confluence trail, and includes the trails just past South Fork Eagle River.
- Peters Creek Neighborhood Trails. Several trails start in the neighborhoods bordering Eklunta, Inc. land.
Join CMBR, be sure to share your address and contact information at checkout, and we will add you to the roster for legal Eklutna access. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.
Permits are also available by contacting Eklutna, Inc. directly.
You must ride with a permit in your possession.
Close up of Eklunta, Inc. Lands in Eagle River Valley showing Briggs Bridge to South Fork Eagle River Confluence. Eklutna, Inc. lands are the white-outlined inholdings in Chugach State Park and are South (uphill) and East (upriver) from the State Park Trail.
Amazon Smile Donations
smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4286494
We always suggest you shop locally first, but if you need to order something, please make your Amazon purchases through our link. CMBR will receive a 0.5% donation!
Oct 29-Nov 2, 2018 Amazon is matching a 5% donation, ten times the normal amount.
Phase 2 Trails are Open!
All five miles of phase 1 and phase 2 Singletrack trails are now open. Enjoy!
New Tool Trailer!
We love our new tool trailer, made possible with a grant from Matanuska Electric Association’s Operation Roundup. Thanks for supporting local trails!
November Planning Meeting.
Let’s get rolling! The CMBR board is meeting Mon Nov 12th 6:45pm to wrap up the summer build season and get our winter fat bike events lined up! We will also be developing proposals for next year’s Singletrack improvements and CMBRkids youth program. CMBR members are invited to attend.
New Trails Still Closed, Mid-Oct Opening Planned.
Phase 1 Singletrack and Multiuse trails are open at Mirror Lake Park.
The new Phase 2 trails have been completed and have passed inspection, but we are still waiting for the new GIS data to be incorporated into the 911 Emergency Services database and final signatures from Parks and Rec.
We’re hoping to open the trails to the public in mid-October!
CMBR Board Elections and Bike Ride, Thurs Oct 11, 2018 6:30pm
CMBR Annual Meeting and Bike Ride, Thurs Oct 11th 6:30pm. Bring a light!
We’ll have a short business meeting and elections followed by a ride on the new singletrack. All CMBR members are welcome!
Trail Building Meet on Camp Gorsuch Road.
Trail Building is not meeting at the main parking lot (red x) for the remainder of the build season. Instead, we are meeting at the big Boy Scout sign on Camp Gorsuch Rd (gold star).
Next work parties are Sun Sep 16th 1:30-4pm, Thurs Sep 20th 6-8pm, Sun Sep 23rd 1:30-4pm, and our last session before inspection on Sun Sep 30th 1:30-4pm!
This week we are finishing the tread on the new purple trail above the road to Camp Carlquist (highlighted in red).
We’ll see you then!
Two weeks left!
Only two weeks of evening trail building left! We’ll be out Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm through Sept 15. We’re working the section highlighted in red. Sundays will continue through the end of September 1:30-4pm.
Trail Building meet at OLD Location!
Trail Building will be meeting Thursdays 6:30pm through Sep 13th and Sundays at 1:30pm through Sep 30th at the main trailhead (the side of the parking lot away from the lake.) * Letter E on the map.
Tues Rain make-up Trail Building: Aug 28th 6:30pm
Finally a clear forecast! We’ve been delayed by the rain so are adding a Tuesday August 28th 6:30-8:30 evening make-up Volunteer Trail Building session. It’ll be fun to work with you all when IT’S NOT RAINING!
Congrats to our 10-hour Volunteers!
We’re stoked to hand out a couple Trail Crew hats to two more awesome volunteers!
Build days will continue every Thursday 6:30-8:30pm and Sunday 1:30-4pm through September!
NEW LOCATION! Meet on Camp Gorsuch Rd near the big Boy Scout sign!
Trail Building 2018!
Volunteer Trail Building Sessions 2018:
Thursday Aug 9, 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday Aug 16, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday Aug 19 1:30-4:00pm
Thursday Aug 23, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday Aug 26 1:30-4:00pm
Thursday Aug 30, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday Sep 2 1:30-4:00pm
Thursday Sep 6, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday Sep 9 1:30-4:00pm
Thursday Sep 13, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday Sep 16 1:30-4:00pm
Sunday Sep 23 1:30-4:00pm
Sunday Sep 30 1:30-4:00pm
We’ve got several miles of trail to build, hope you can join us! For more information email CMBRalaska@gmail.com
Thanks, Peter’s Creek Chevron!
Thanks so much to Peter’s Creek Chevron for being our newest trail sponsor! Be sure to thank them when you fill up!
Trail Building Starts July 16th!
We are happy to announce that phase two trail construction will begin July 16th!
This year we have new TRAIL CREW hats to recognize folks who volunteer at least 10 hours on phase two trail building crews.
We hope to see you all sporting one!
VOLUNTEER TRAIL CREWS MEET THURSDAYS 6:30-8:30pm!
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
1. Thursday July 19th 6:30-8:30pm
2. Thursday July 26th 6:30-8:30pm
3. Thursday Aug 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
4. More dates to be announced.
We meet at the Mirror Lake Singletrack Trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, the far end away from the lake.Come out and join us!
Thanks Prime Lending for the Trail Sponsorship!
Need a home loan? Be sure to thank Prime Lending for a double Trail Sponsorship! Thanks for supporting our Phase 2 trail expansion project!
A New Girl Scout Gold Award Kiosk!
Hooray for Girl Scouts! Thanks so much to Kayla Reifel for building our second map kiosk for her Gold Star Award project!
Youth Bike Camp Starts Tue June 12!
See you 7pm Tuesday June 12th at Mirror Lake Park! Please come early if your kiddo still needs their bike checked.
More information on our CMBRkids page.
Backcountry Bike & Ski Trail Sponsorship!
Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer was our first Trail Sponsor during phase one, and keeps the title as our first Trail Sponsor of phase two! Thanks so much!
Phase 2 Singletrack Approved!
Phase 2 Mirror Lake trails are approved! Over $100k has been raised for almost 3 additional miles of singletrack. We need your help to match $15k for 15,000’ of trail. Can you donate a DOLLAR A FOOT to make this happen? Build starts July 15th!
Become a Member! $50 individual/$100 family.
Become a Trail Sponsor! $500 for a full-color sign post.
Donate a DOLLAR A FOOT! Choose your own donation!
*CMBR is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organiztion.
A huge thank goes to the Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation and Alaska Trails for grants to build the planned phase 2 trails as well as additional funding for connecting and improving existing trails, maps and signage.
CMBR kids sign-ups Sat June 2, 2018.
This Sat June 2, 2018 11a-2p is CMBR kids youth mountain bike club sign-ups at Mirror Lake Park. We expect to fill up, so don’t miss out.
Bring your bikes and helmets. We’ll have bike checks for kids and adults, group rides on the trails, games on the field, and the BBQ going.
Sign-ups are just one part of MOUNTAIN BIKE DAY at Mirror Lake, all ages and skill levels are invited to attend, not just families and kids!
(This is for everyone, even if your kids are not signing up for camp.)
Donate your bicycle to charity! June 2nd, 2018.
Donate your bicycle to charity!
We will be collecting used bicycles at our Family Mountain Bike Day Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 and hauling a load to Off the Chain Bike Collective who will fix them up and recycle them back into the community!
More information about Off the Chain at http://www.offthechainak.org/
Our 501(c)3 was approved!
We want to give a big thank you to Alaska Trails for being our 501(c)3 sponsor as we built Phase 1 of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
We are also pleased to announce the CMBR has finally received our own 501(c)3 nonprofit tax exempt status from the IRS! It’s been a year of waiting.
Phase 2 is coming soon, Woohoo!
Thanks OPA!
We are super stoked to have Orthopedic Physicians Alaska join us as a Trail Sponsor, four times over!
We’ll be installing these signs at our next Trail Work Party, Sat May 12th 10am. Thanks OPA!
Mountain Bike Events at Mirror Lake Park.
What: May Volunteer Trail Work Party #1
When: Saturday May 12th, 10am-1pm
Where: Mirror Lake Park
Details: After a sloppy break-up, it’s time to get our Mirror Lake Mountain Bike Singletrack Trails back in shape! Don’t worry if you’ve never done trail work, our mission is to teach you how to build, ride AND maintain sustainable mountain bike trails! Bring some work gloves, and eye protection if you have it. Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
What: May Volunteer Trail Work Party #2
When: Saturday May 19th, 10am-1pm
Where: Mirror Lake Park
Details: We will continue our spring maintenance of the Mirror Lake Singletrack Mountain Bike Trails. We will be clearing drains, smoothing trails, hauling rocks and clipping branches. Don’t worry if you’ve never done trail work, our mission is to teach you how to build, ride AND maintain sustainable mountain bike trails! Bring some work gloves, and eye protection if you have it. Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
What: Mountain Bike Day at Mirror Lake Park!
When: Saturday June 2nd, 11am-2pm
Where: Mirror Lake Park
Details: Join us on National Trails Day for a Family Mountain Bike Day at Mirror Lake Park! Bring your bikes for free bike safety checks and minor tune-ups, enjoy kids games on the field, a scavenger hunt on the bike trails and a lunch time BBQ. We will be signing kids up for our CMBRkids youth bike camp and will be offering group rides for all ages! We also will be hosting a used bike collection for folks to donate their old bikes to charity. June 2nd is the official opening of the Mirror Lake Mountain Bike Singletrack Trails for summer.
What: CMBRkids Youth Mountain Bike Camp
When: Tuesdays, June 12th-Aug 7th 7-8:30pm (Sign up June 2nd 11a-2p at Mountain Bike Day.)
Where: Mirror Lake Park
Details: CMBR kids camp provides an introduction to mountain biking by teaching fundamental bike handling skills, building confidence on more challenging terrain and promoting a healthy lifestyle through mountain biking.
Trails Closed during Break-up.
Anchorage Cycling Open House
Hi folks! We’ll be at the Anchorage Cycling Open House this Saturday, April 7th 2018 at REI, from noon-4pm. Stop by and say hi!
https://www.rei.com/event/anchorage-cycling-open-house/anchorage/197008
CMBR April 10 Planning Meeting
Join us April 10, 2018 at Sleepy Dog Coffee to plan out our May maintenance days, June’s National Trail Day, next summer’s CMBR Kids Mountain Bike Camp, as well as planning and design days for phase 2 trail construction! CMBR members, volunteers and interested community members are invited to attend!
Merry Masher 2017 Results!
Thanks to everyone who came out to race yesterday and to all who donated to the trails this year. We had a great time and hope you did as well! We had over 50 racers, a dozen volunteers and met our fundraising goal for 2017. You all rock!
Thanks as well to our fabulous sponsors: Chain Reaction Cycles, the Eagle River Alehouse, Jitters, and the Eagle River Nature Center. And finally, a big thank you to Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation for their enthusiastic support of the new Mirror Lake Singletrack trails.
If there’s any mistakes in the results, please let us know. Nice work everyone!
The Merry Masher 2017!
We are pleased to annouce the first-ever Mirror Lake Merry Masher winter bike race!
Enjoy a sweet 5 mile course consisting of flowy new singletrack, nice wide doubletrack, a couple hill climbs and some beautiful lake riding in the shadow of Bear Mountain in Chugiak. Choose your distance: Beginner (1 lap), Sport (2 laps) or Expert (3 laps).
This event is a membership drive and fundraiser for Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and proceeds will go to support the expansion and maintenance of the Mirror Lake Singletrack.
When: Saturday December 30th 1:30pm (Registration 12-1:00)
Where: Mirror Lake Park, Mile 24 Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, Alaska.
Cost: FREE to members! additional donations appreciated.
(CMBR Membership $50 Individual/$100 Family)
Our insurance requires all racers to be members, so if you can’t swing a full membership, we’re offering a $35 day pass membership so everyone can come and race with us.
A big thanks to Chain Reaction Cycles for sponsoring our first race!
Don’t want to race, but still want to be a part of it all? We need volunteers to make this happen!
Questions? Email CMBRalaska@gmail.com or call Will 907-688-5288.
Sign up through PayPal here:
Merry Masher 2017 Course Map!
Mirror Lake’s 1st ever Merry Masher winter bike race will be held Saturday December 30th, 2017! More details can be found under races.
Print out a pdf of the course map here: Merry Masher 2017 PDF Map
Masher Pre-ride Sat Dec 23rd 1:30pm
On Sat Dec 23rd 1:30pm the Eagle River Fat Tire Rides Group will be going on a mellow pre-ride of the Merry Masher course at Mirror Lake!
This is NOT a race, but a no-drop ride of the race course. Be prepared to help clear any pokey sticks you encounter or stomp out alternate routes for the Dec 30th racers.
Meet at the main trailhead.
Race Planning Wed Dec 6th.
We’re looking for folks to help organize the first-ever Mirror Lake Merry Masher Dec 30th winter bike race.
Let’s meet this Wednesday Dec 6th 6:30pm at Sleepy Dog Coffee in Eagle River! (Regular board meeting to follow planning session.)
It’s time to renew your CMBR membership!
It’s fundraising time! We are hoping to raise about $2000 by the end of the year. Can you join CMBR in building, maintaining and riding sustainable mountain bike trails in Chugiak-Eagle River? We’ve got volunteer insurance to pay, two grants in process for expanding the trail system and we’re planning a winter bike race for you all. Hope you can join us!
Phase 2 Grant Submitted!
A huge thanks to Steve at Alaska Trails for submitting a federal Receational Trails Grant to fund construction of phase 2 of the Mirror Lake Singletrack. This would allow us to build the 2nd half of the originally proposed 4 miles of mountain bike trails at Mirror Lake Park. Wish us luck!
Arctic Cross comes to Mirror Lake Sat Sep 30th!
Arctic Cross is coming to Mirror Lake this Saturday Sep 30th! Woohoo!
To clarify, the races will NOT be held on the new Singletrack, but will be held across the highway on the Coyote Ski Trails at Mirror Lake Middle School (off the North Peters Creek exit).
See you there!
IMBA Alaska Mountain Bike Summit Scholarships Oct 6-7.
We are super excited that Alaska Trails is bringing the International Mountain Bicycling Association to Kincaid for the Alaska Mountain Bike Summit on Fri-Sat Oct 6-7!
Even better, we are happy to announce that we are offering a few scholarships to our Mirror Lake Singletrack volunteers.
Send us a message, we’d love to hook you up!
Help repair windstorm damage Sat Sep 23rd.
CMBR volunteers removed about a dozen trees that fell across the trails, but have not gotten to the dozens of new rootballs that sprung up during this past week’s windstorm.
We’ll be out this week flagging additional trees and tread that need attention.
Lend a hand with the trail repair and join us Sat Sep 23rd 9am-4pm for our fall trail work day!
Sat Sep 23rd 9-12 and 1-4 Mirror Lake Work Parties!
Let’s celebrate our new mountain bike trails and keep them in shape with a little fall maintenance! Come out for a morning 9am-12pm and/or an afternoon 1-4pm work session. We’ll have a lunch and social hour for everyone from noon-1pm!
We’ve got gravel to haul to a few spots, loose rocks to clear from the big hill, a few sight lines to clear, some roots to trim and a bunch of drains that need to be opened up.
Hope to see you there!
Public Notice – Recreational Trails Grant Program
Public Notice – Recreational Trails Grant Program
The Recreational Trails Program grant applicant listed below provides this courtesy notice. If you have any questions or comments about the proposed project, please contact the grant applicant. Grant applicants should post this notice for at least four weeks prior to the application deadline.
Posting Date: September 15th, 2017
1. Grant Applicant Contact Information:
Name of Organization or Agency: Alaska Trails
Contact Person: Steve Cleary
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100627, Anchorage, AK 99510
Phone: (907) 334-8049
Fax: None
Email: steve.cleary@alaska-trails.org
2. Project Title: Mirror Lake Singletrack – Phase 2
3. Project Description Summary:
Alaska Trails and the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders will collaborate to design and build 3 miles of designed use singletrack mountain biking trails. The trails will be located on the Edmonds and Mirror Lake Municipal Park Land in Chugiak. The singletrack trails will be integrated with the current nordic ski trails that are located adjacent to the Glenn Highway. Phase 2 of the project will build on Phase 1, which was made possible by a previous RTP grant.
The Chugach Mountain Bike Riders have been working on this project for more than four years and have received unanimous approval for the project from the Eagle River Parks and Recreation Board of Supervisors and the surrounding community councils. The groups plan to use both professional and volunteer labor for Phase 2 of the project.
4. Project Location:
A. Identify the nearest community(ies): Chugiak, Peters Creek, Mirror Lake
B. Attach a map showing the location of your proposed project (page two of this notice).
– Attached below – PROPOSED TRAILS ARE IN WHITE
C. Provide the meridian, township(s), range(s) and sections from a USGS topographical map.
– Anchorage B-7
PLEASE NOTE: PROPOSED TRAILS ARE IN WHITE
Public Notice RTP Mirror Singletrack Phase 2 2018 PDF for POSTING
Permanent Trail Signs are Up!
Permanent trail signs are up! A big thank you to Eagle River/Chugiak Parks and Recreation, CMBR Volunteers and our local Trail Sponsors for making this happen! Sweet sign design by Aurora at Mad Dog Graphx.
CMBR Annual Meeting Aug 23.
Next Weds Aug 23rd 6:30pm is CMBR’s 1st Annual Meeting! We’ll be electing board members and officers, scheduling fall maintenance, and planning out phase two for the club and the trails. We’ll be meeting in Ben’s Yurt in Chugiak, so send us a message if you’d like directions! Thanks!
We are Open!
The Mirror Lake Singletrack is now open. Thank you to all those who donated time and/or money to make this happen!
CMBR Kids Sign-Ups June 6th 7pm.
CMBR Kids Youth Mountain Bike Camp Sign-ups are IN PERSON only! We expect to fill up quickly! Kids are not required, but are encouraged to attend.
Bring bikes and helmets for adults and youth. We will offer bike and helmet checks and will be taking families on “Get to Know Your Trails” rides throughout the evening.
The camp itself is free, but your family must be a member of Chugach Mountain Bike Riders at the $50 or above level.
We will have all the registration materials, including club membership forms, at the sign-up.
Parents are needed to be coaches and parent helpers.
Thanks!
Mirror Lake Singletrack in the News!
Thanks to the Alaska Star for a great write up! We’re hoping to open the trails in early June, and we’ve got lots more trail posts to install.
Send us an email and we can give you a couple posts to put in, you can even borrow our post-hole digger!
Bonus Work Party Tuesday Eve May 16th 6:30pm!
Hi folks, it’s crunch time! Muni inspection of the trails is just over a week away!
Some folks are not able to make our Saturday at work sessions, so we added an extra Tuesday evening session to repair a frost damaged bypass on the blue loop. Be ready to dig out drainage and build some flow.
We also need do a full fall hazards sweep on the trails. Hope to see you Tuesday!
New CMBR Bear Bike Bells!
New bear bells are in! They sound extra nice and for a $10 donation one can be yours.
The new trails are 2-way so we asking all bikers to ride with bells on.
We’ll have them at the work party this Saturday 1-4pm.
Extra special thanks to the Eagle River Alehouse for sponsoring the bells!
Spring Work Parties Sat May 13 & 20, 2017. 1 – 4pm.
We are sooo close to opening these new trails! Please come out and help us fix drainage, clear hazards and repair some trail sections so we can get out and ride the new Mirror Lake Singletrack!
Saturday May 13th 1-4pm. Meet at the bike trailhead at the far end of the Mirror Lake Park main parking lot. Bring work gloves, a lopper or hand pruner if you have one, and youth under 18 will need a parent signature.
We will have a second work party the following Saturday May 20th 1-4pm to put the finishing touches on the trails!
Thanks to all who are helping build your new single track mountain biking trails.
Become a Trail Sponsor!
Thanks to eveyone who joined CMBR last fall. With your donations, we were able to finish up just before the snow came. Unfortunately, the frost wreaked havoc with a small section on the back side which, without a bypass, has delayed opening. We’ll have a few work parties this spring to get the trails into shape, don’t worry!
For those who donated $500 and above we are pleased to offer a little recognition by adding a sponsorship sign on our trail posts. We still have several posts available, but spaces are limited. Check out the details on our Sponsorship Page!
Become a Member of CMBR!
Spread the word, CMBR has started fundraising! We are happy to offer folks a chance to become a member and help open the Mirror Lake Singletrack. We need to raise about $2000 by the end of October to install temporary signage and buy liability insurance so we can open the trails this winter.
https://cmbralaska.org/join-cmbr/
Alaska Trails Fall Fundraiser
Hey folks, Alaska Trails is our nonprofit sponsor, supplying all the tools and submitting the grant for all of our trail work. Their fall fundraiser is coming up at the Taproot with Big Fat Buddha October 20. Please buy a ticket and show your support!
Late September Work Parties.
We’ve got about 1/2 mile of trail left to cut, and also need to clears hazards along the entire system. Join us at the second trail crossing on Camp Gorsuch Rd for our semi-weekly trail building sessions!
WEDS SEP 21st 6-8pm
SUN SEP 25th 1-4pm
WEDS SEP 28th 6-8pm
Bring work gloves and a lopper if you have one. Youth under 18 will need a parent signature.
If you have a group that would like to come out and help, you may join us on our regular work days, or we can schedule a special session for you.
Thanks!
Work Party SATURDAY Sep 17th 1-4pm
Hi folks, while the trails are about 3/4 done, we need to go back over the whole system and clear sharp sticks from both sides of the trail to bring it up to safety standards. Bring loppers and your friends, we’ll see you rain or shine Sat, Sep 17th 1-4pm.
Stickers are here!
Woohoo! Show off your CMBR pride! Volunteers, pick yours up at the next work party!
New Meeting Spot for Work Parties.
NEW MEETING PLACE for work parties. And a big thanks to Jason Gray for mapping out the new trails for us! We had our first frost last night, so we’ll see you SUNDAY Sep 11th 1-4pm. Wednesday will continue as usual, though will start at 6pm. Thanks everyone!
Weekend Mirror Lake MTB Trail Building Volunteer Work Parties
Hooray! We’ve got a few weekend work parties for you all!
Sunday Sep 11th, Saturday Sep 17th, and Sunday Sep 25th all from 1-4pm. Meet on Camp Gorsuch Rd at the 2nd trail crossing (before the Boy Scout Camps – the link on the map is a little too far down the road).
We have a lot more root cutting, trail raking and slope smoothing to do. Bring work gloves, a lopper or hand pruner if you have one, and youth under 18 will neeed a parent signature.
Goal: Hand/Tool work for finishing sections of newly cut trails.
We will continue to need volunteers every Wednesday 6-8:30pm, and either Saturday or Sunday from 1-4pm until the trails are completed or we reach our termination date in late September or early October.
Trail Cross Sections
Hey trail volunteers! Here’s a visualization on what we’re shooting for on our trail cross sections: Roots cut, ceiling cleared, tread smoothed, backslope blended and rounded. Thanks!
(Source: IMBA, Building Better Trails Manual)
CMBR Featured in Anchorage Dispatch!
Thanks Alaska Dispatch News for the positive coverage! We’re really pleased how the new trails are coming along. Next work party Weds Sep 7th, 6:30pm. Yes, we’ll be working even if it’s drizzling!
MTB trail building at Mirror Lake #4
Join Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, Alaska Trails and Ptarmigan Ptrails for our weekly Wednesday night trail building work parties! We are putting in the first 3 miles of mountain bike flow trails at Mirror Lake Park before the snow flies! Bring work gloves. Youth need a parent signature on their waiver form. Thanks!
We have had dozens of volunteers turn out for the first three workdays and have been able get almost half of the trails completed, but we can still use all the help we can get!
WHERE: Mirror Lake Park, Mirror Lake Spur, Chugiak, AK (Take the Mirror Lake exit off the Glenn Hwy. Meet at the Alaska Trails tool trailer in the parking lot furthest from the lake.)
WHEN: Wednesday, September 7th, 6:30-8:30pm – Rain or Shine!
Welcome to CMBR’s Site
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders will start trail development at Mirror Lake on August 17th at 6:30. Contact cmbralaska@gmail.com for details on how to volunteer to help get the project started. For now, here’s a quick overview of the layout of the trail system.
