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Eagle and Symphony Lakes
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4 Moose Hoof Rating

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Eagle and Symphony Lakes
Last Updated: July 09, 2011

Please help this site! Since I no longer live here, it is important that users verify the data.  If this date is longer than a year ago please email me and let me know the information below is still valid.  If I don't get verification on this trail, I may remove it from the site.

Difficulty

Easy; very little elevation gain.  A stretch of boulders at the end commands caution while maneuvering through them.

Connects With

Eagle Peak
Hanging Valley

Flute Glacier
Rendezvous  Peak
Triangle Peak

Miles One Way

6 to 8 depending on where you want to camp.

Miles from
Anchorage

About 25 miles; on the outskirts of the town of Eagle River.

General Vicinity

Chugach State Park

Season

June to September (too much snow before then)

Description

One of my favorite places to go!  Very convenient to Anchorage and one of the most accessible ways to get into the backcountry.  The trail starts over a ridge then descends into the valley.  At the end, after climbing over the a slew of rocks and boulders from a long ago slide, are two lakes situated on both sides of  a lateral moraine; Eagle Lake, which is a green milky color and Symphony Lake, a rich blue aquamarine color. The contrast in color is amazing and is one of the coolest sites in the park.

While many hike to the Lakes as a day hike, plan an overnighter to allow time for exploring.

The scenery is gorgeous whichever lake you decide to camp by.  Some people choose to camp right on the spine of the moraine getting views of both lakes.  On the ridge is a strange wooden structure that was supposedly the start of a cabin.

If you head further down past Eagle Lake, a deep canyon forms where large herds of Dall Sheep reside.  You can proceed up the end to Flute Glacier and Eagle Peak.  Further down the Symphony Lake side is another canyon with waterfalls, boulder slopes and hidden lakes (tarns), as well as the trail to Triangle Peak.  You may even want to explore the mountain, Cantata, that runs right up the middle of the moraine.

While this trail gets a lot of traffic, it's still a great place to go and for intermediate backpackers who may be little freaked by trail-less areas, this is a great destination.

*****

The Following was Submitted by Tracer:

Did this as a day hike on July 6 (2007) with the family (wife, 6 year old and two dogs). What a great hike!, but the boulder field can be a challenge for the dogs. Make sure you follow the trail markers. Symphony Lake is stocked with graylings for some great shore fishing. Lots of ptarmigan in the area.

*****

*****

The Following was Submitted Anonymously:

I think this is a 4 Moose Hoof Rating becuase of the easiness of the trail and the combination of the view and wildlife opportunities.

September 15, 2007

Hiked out here with some friends and 10-15 minutes out of the parking lot we saw a pack of wolves up on the mountain. These are the same wolves that usually travel in the Eagle River Valley and they were a nice surprise. Also, the mountains by the lakes had a nice dusting of snow from the nights rain. :o)

*****

*****

The Following was also Submitted Anonymously:

We took a newbie friend of ours with us for Memorial Day Weekend (2009) promising a true backcountry Alaska experience with fish galore! He said "impossible", I said "follow me!" 6 miles later from my house ( I live in the south fork off Highland) we were there with tents set up and lines in the water and an hour later, fresh fish in the belly! This is a guaranteed turn on for the newbie or new Alaskan hiker! The short distance and small gains in elevation and the unbelievable scenery on this short easy hike are great. This hike is one of my favorites and it's literally in my backyard. 

We spent plenty of time with the great arctic greyling of Alaska! Alaska Fish and Game (AFG) started the stocking in 2001 and the fish have matured and are a year long excitement. My son and I snowshoed the same trail this past March and iced fished on Symphony Lake and caught numerous 16-20 inch mature beautiful greyling, the colors in their fins are amazing in the sun light!

This trip proved no different. The fish were plentiful and we had a great time. A small tip: when you clean your fish at the lake make sure to throw your fish scraps in deep water away from the bank. Panther martin yellow and red dot spinners in 1/16 oz to 1/4 oz are the bait of choice. Top water dry flies on fly rod bring them to the top every time!

Fish on every cast!

The boulder field is a challenge but take your time and follow the markers. There really is no right trail through the boulder field, just find your way. Take a small rod, some Panther martins, and your good for as many hours of fishing fun you can you handle.

Great hike, take the family for a camp out on the small outcropping on the southeast corner of Symphony Lake for a guaranteed flat tent pad.

*****

*****
The following was submitted Sharay Hikes with Kids:

4 Moose Hoof Rating

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy - 

It was a great hike but with my kids 7 and 8, it was hard for them when they reached the boulders, but they did do it.

Description:

A great hike for kids. I love backpacking trips kids can go on. However, I would not make my kids walk to the Lakes anymore because you can camp before you get to the boulders. I love the flat trail,  unlike Reed Lakes with the uphill work, then hard boulders. Here you just have a nice walk. 

I really can't wait to snowshoe this trail. However, I will only snowshoe as far as the first bridge, about 2 miles in.

Warnings:

If not backpacking don't over-pack I carried a lot of stuff. I would only bring 20oz of water and raingear if hiking in the summer. It's really just a walk in the park. until the boulders but its doesn't require any extra gear to do it.

*****

Important Information

Until you get to the bridge down in the valley, you are on private property.  Stay on the trail and respect the owners.

There are good spots to pitch a tent but you have to look.  Drop your pack on the spine and take a good look around before you decide.  

Expect to get your feet wet if you head into the Eagle Lake Canyon; some parts are marshy.  Frank Baker, who submitted the hike for Flute Glacier, suggests bringing tennis shoes to use till you get to the end of the canyon.

If traveling with your pooch, keep a jug of water and a bowl in your vehicle.  There are no water sources (except boggy stuff), from the bridge to the trailhead.  If it's a hot day, your dog will thank you.

Etc.

From a geologists perspective, the landscape is quite interesting.  Here we have two glaciers running side by side each grinding a different set of minerals affecting the color of the tarns they left behind.  FYI-glacial lakes get their color from the sun reflecting off the minerals that the previous glacier ground to a fine silt.

For the advanced backpacker: 

Frank Banker has a route from Crow Pass to Eagle and Symphony Lakes that you may interested in: link here.
Chris Harper has a route from Eagle Lake to Eagle River that you may be interested in: link here.

 

Mile Marker Boder

©Alaska Hike Search
-A Guide to Hiking in the Anchorage Area
By Chugachman

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