Photo courtesy of Caba D.
Two Hope riders take in the vista at the top of Turnagain Pass. Hope is a short drive away for an apres ski cabin getaway.
By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
It is not strange to hear the question asked over and over again, “What do you do in Hope in the winter? Hope Happenings has pondered the response and here it is: The question can best be answered by first telling what we don't do. We don't go to the mall to shop and we don't head into a dark movie theatre at the first sign of falling snow. In the winter, we embrace what weather may befall us and keep things real by keeping on with our days and living. What we do is as unlimited as our imaginations allow.
Hope Outside
Happy Alaskans will tell you that the key to keeping the smiles going is to get outside while the light is nice. Hope is no exception to this rule.
Strap on the skis and cruise around town. There are a number of trails in Hope proper and the main one is the Wagon Trail which begins across the street from the Discovery Café and runs for about one mile to connect to Resurrection Creek road. Keep the adventure rolling and swing a right when you get to Resurrection Road. The trailhead is a couple of miles down. When you stop this ski adventure is entirely up to you.
Technically, you could keep going from the trailhead all the way to Cooper Landing. Other ski/snowshoe/hiking exploits may be had on Gull Rock Trail, which begins at the end of Porcupine Campground and on Palmer Creek road, which is an uphill ski that earns you dinner. Intrepid adventurers take note: even on a bluebird day skiing around town it is very important to come equipped with your own safety gear. Little help is available should an accident occur. Cell phone reception can be unreliable.
For information regarding the Kenai Winter Access of the Chugach National Forest, 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 make your reservations over the Internet at: www.ReserveUSA.com.
Not a skier? No problem. A beautiful setting to ice skate can be found on the flats, at the end of Main Street, conditions permitting. There is also much joy to be had walking around our tranquil town.
People visiting Hope to enjoy the trails are advised to be prepared to take care of themselves, as not a lot of help is available and no one enjoys rescuing people who were foolishly unprepared for the extreme environment. Please be courteous to other winter users and to local private property.
Peaceful Retreats
For a fun weekend or midweek getaway there are several places to stay in the Hope area.
Black Bear Bed and Breakfast 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 (indoor plumbing-oolala!). The large front deck has a gas grill for cooking. Winter rates are available as well as multi-day stay discounts. See their website at www.alaskablackbearbnb.com or call Maggie for reservations at 782-2202.
The Green Cabin on Cripple Creek Road offers a comfortable and relaxing environment for your visit to Hope. Upstairs at this two story log cabin, one finds a full and twin bed. There is also a peaceful sitting area overlooking a birch forest. The main level offers a full kitchen, complete with pots, pans, and dishes. There is also an eating and living area, which includes a couch with pull-out queen sleeper. The Green Cabin also boasts indoor plumbing with bathroom and shower. Tom and Barb Miller have decked out the Green Cabin with many touches of Alaskana and one could fill up an entire afternoon perusing the artifacts. Check out their web site www.thegreencabin.net or call 242-1856 for more information.
Bowman's Bear Creek Lodge and Dinner House feature five beautiful log cabins in a snowy wooded setting. Each cabin is equipped with a wood burning stove, electric heat, and comfortable furnishings. The larger cabins can accommodate a party of six, with fridge/freezer, microwave and BBQ. Enjoy a winter getaway with dinner and cabin packages available. The Bear Creek Dinner House offers comfort food for the soul from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Reservations are now being taken for the Hawaiian Luau on January 16 and the Valentine's Day Dinner on February 13. Bowman's will be hosting musical events throughout the winter with excellent musical artists such as Ester Golton performing. Contact Kent and Melanie Bowman at 782-3141 for more information including multi-day discounts on cabins.
Alaska Dacha is the local mercantile that stays open year-round (thank you!) and provides comfortable rooms above the store with Dish network, wireless Internet, and individual bathrooms. Visitors staying at the Alaska Dacha enjoy a comfortable and tidy space to relax with a choice of queen size or twin beds. A separate, one-bedroom cabin rounds out the selection of Dacha lodging options. The cabin, with private bathroom, is perfect for families as it can comfortably sleep up to 6 people. Pets are welcome, provided they are on a leash and owners assure their good behavior. Please contact Rochelle at the store for reservations and pricing at 782-3223. Winter hours for the store and laundromat at Alaska Dacha are Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tito's Discovery Café has winter hours of 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. You can get a mean breakfast at Tito's and it's a good thing since it's the only place for breakfast on the days that it is open. Tito's café also offers their fresh homemade soups, burgers, pies and more. Open for over 30 years, the café has always been a stalwart favorite among many.
Hope Hideaway, a duplex, offers units with three bedrooms, kitchen, and private bathroom. Winter rates are $100 per night, per couple, and this includes room tax. For those wishing to rent for a week or longer, a 15 percent discount is available. Contact Angie at 782-3773 for more information or to make reservations.
The Hope Library and the Library Gift Shop is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 3 pm. It is an ideal spot for repose, especially when the snow is flying and the woodstove is cranking.
Breakfast is available Wednesday mornings at the Hope Christian Church from 8 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 to 11 a.m. Speaking of the food bank, Tom and Joyce Burgin, local angels, want to offer their thanks on behalf of the church, for all the food donations that were received during the Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 28.
That's it folks. There is plenty to do and as mentioned earlier, the possibilities are endless, or as endless as the imagination allows. We hope to see you soon.
