By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
For winter fun off the beaten path, Hope is just the place. Not to near, but not to far from Anchorage, it is a great destination to fill you need for peace and time to unwind. Be sure to get gas before going to Hope, as there is no gas available in the community.
If you have visited Hope in the summer, you’ve probably envisioned what winter might offer—miles and miles of cross-country skiing. Winter activities also include snow shoeing, sledding and snow boarding.
There are a number of trails in Hope: Gull Rock Trail; Palmer Creek, closed to motorists in the winter, offers a great workout and breathtaking views of the valley if and when you reach the top; the Wagon Trail runs for about one mile and connects up to Resurrection Creek Road and to the Resurrection Pass trail. Then there is the backcountry—wide open and wild. Both Resurrection Pass Trail and Gull Rock trail are great summer hiking trails that make good ski and hiking trails during the winter months.
For the first time ever, a new ski tracker has arrived in Hope to make ski trails. Check with the local businesses and B&Bs for the location of the new trails. Hope is also close for the weekender who wants a cozy place to stay while skiing in Turnagain Pass. Caution should always be a priority when skiing in the backcountry.
Snowmachine activity has increased over the past few years in Hope; however, it can be a very dangerous area if the operators are not familiar with the mountains and snow conditions. Safety gear is a must as there is little help available should there be an accident or avalanche. Cell phones do not work in the backcountry. With a death during the winter of 2002, caused by a snowmachiner “high-marking”, visiting snowmachiners need to use caution and to be prepared if trouble arises. Snowmachine operators are asked to stay off groomed ski trails.
As enforced by the Chugach National Forest, the 2008-2009 winter is non-motorized for the Resurrection Pass Trail but is open for skiing or hiking. Each winter the Palmer Creek area will open to motorized use Dec. 1, depending on snow cover, and will close April 30. There maybe an extension of time made available to motorized use, should there be adequate snow beyond April 30 in the Palmer Creek area.
For more information regarding the Kenai Winter Access of the Chugach Forest or trip planning, call the Seward District office at 224-3374. To reserve Caribou Creek, Fox Creek and East Creek cabins along the Resurrection Pass Trail, contact the National Reservation Service at 1 877-444-6777 or reservations can be done over the Internet at: www.ReserveUSA.com
Folks using the backcountry are advised to take care, to be aware of the avalanche danger, and to be courteous both to other winter users as well as being respectful of local private property. Parking, for vehicles or vehicles with trailers, is very limited for both the Resurrection Pass Trail and Palmer Creek areas. Please take care when parking so that the roadway is not blocked.
For a fun weekend or longer there are several places to stay in the Hope area. The area’s winter accommodations include two new B&Bs, plus Black Bear Bed and Breakfast, which offers a beautiful single cabin nestled among a birch forest off Resurrection Road near Middle Creek. This 24’x 24’cabin easily accommodates four with a queen bed down stairs and two twin beds in a loft area. The cabin also includes a kitchenette, living area, dining area and a bathroom with a shower. The large front deck has a gas grill for cooking.
Plan a quiet get-away; bring your skis, hiking boots or books to enjoy the fresh air in a cozy setting. Winter rates are available as well as multi-day stays. See their website at www.alaskablackbearbnb.com or call for reservations: Maggie 782-2202.
Alaskan Byways Bed and Breakfast, a new winter retreat, is perfect for one person, couples, families or group get-a-ways. Newly renovated, the 1904 historical home combines turn-of-the-century charm with modern conveniences: a fully equipped kitchen, new appliances, bath w/tub and shower, laundry facilities, three bedrooms and a complimentary breakfast.
Winter rates October through April: $99 for two people per night $20 each additional person. Children age 5 and under are free. View Alaskan Byways B&B online at www.alaskanbyways.com or call Lisa at 301-2499.
The Green Cabin offers a comfortable and relaxing environment for your visit to Hope. The two-story log cabin has a full and a twin on the upper level along with a peaceful sitting area overlooking the forest. The main level offers a kitchen, eating area, living area, which includes a queen sleeper plus a bathroom and shower. The warm interior of the log cabin is a peaceful space to just relax and enjoy whatever makes you happy.
The Green Cabin is centrally located enough to walk to the historic district and main part of town yet tucked away enough that you feel as if you are in your own corner of the forest. Whatever you are looking for, The Green Cabin is the perfect nightly rental for your visit to Hope. Nightly, weekend and weekly rates are available. Pets upon approval. Check out their web site www.thegreencabin.net or call 782-1200 for more information.
Hope is a perfect getaway location offering tranquility! Visits to the Alaska Dacha are peaceful, comfortable, with tidy rooms and friendly conversation. Alaska Dacha is open year round and provides comfortable rooms with dish network, wireless Internet, individual bathrooms. There is a choice of queen size or twin beds. Plus a one-bedroom cabin with individual bathroom round out the selection. The cabin can sleep up to 6 people comfortably. Just right for a group or a family. Pets are welcome, provided they are on a leash and owners assure their behavior. Please contact the store for reservations and pricing at 782-3223. During the winter Alaska Dacha store and laundry will be open Thursday through Monday and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Winter store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tito’s Discovery Café winter hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Monday with the café closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All winter long Monday is Pizza night. The café is Hope’s only location for breakfast. Tito’s café also features their famous fresh homemade soups, burgers, pies and more. Open for over 30 years, the café has always been a favorite among many.
Breakfast is available Wednesday mornings at the Hope Christian Church from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. It is free to anyone who wants to drop by. The church also has a food bank open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bowmans Bear Creek Lodge is open for their winter season with fine dining from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Sundays. The cabins have a reduced winter rate. Reservations are now being taken for the Hawaiian Luau on Jan. 17 and the romantic Valentines Day Dinner on Feb. 14. Bowmans will be featuring concert nights throughout the winter with excellent musical artists. To be included in our email guest list, please send us your email address to bearcreek@alaska.net and you’ll be updated on our special events.
Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge and Dinner House feature five beautiful log cabins in a snowy wooded setting. Enjoy a winter getaway with dinner and cabin packages available.
Hope Hideaway, a duplex, each comfortable unit has three bedrooms, kitchen and private bathroom. Winter rates are $100 per night, per couple, includes room tax. For those wishing to rent for a week or longer, a 15% discount is available. Contact Angie at 782-3773 for more information or to make reservations.
Although winter is a quiet time for the community gift shops, the Hope Library Gift Shop is open during the winter the same hours of the Hope Library, which are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday noon to 3 p.m. The Hope Library and the Library Gift shop are staffed by volunteers so may not always be open on those days
Hope is a great winter retreat area and offers much to the winter visitors. Stop by for some good old-time Alaska hospitality.