With half a day left before my flight back home, there wasn’t time for one last adventure. On a waiter’s recommendation I decided to take a stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. There are numerous places in town to rent a bike, but I decided to take a more leisurely approach.
Supposedly the trail is chock full of animals, including moose. Unfortunately I got a bit of a late start and the only animals I saw were small shore birds and those out for a walk with their owners. Still, the walk is quite lovely and seeing all the locals out makes you feel like part of the city instead of a tourist.
The 11 mile (one way) trail is paved, mostly flat and follows the Anchorage Coastline from downtown Anchorage to its present end at Kincaid Park. The trail will take you by marsh, muskeg and spruce forest. The Fish Creek estuary is particularly pretty. For a moment you will forget you are on an urban trail. This is the only creek in the city proper with a real tidal marsh, where fresh and salt water mix and nutrients yield an especially diverse wildlife habitat. Most estuaries in Anchorage have been dammed or blocked.
On the inlet side of the trail you will see the mudflats. Do not walk on them. Mudflats are like quicksand and you will get stuck. The tide also comes in quickly and you could find yourself in a lot of trouble. The mud consists of fine silt particles, the end result of glaciers grinding away on the surrounding mountains. This silt, or glacial flour, is suspended by water droplets in the mud.
All in all, a pleasant walk/ride affording some nice views of the mountains (Even Denali if it’s clear), various coastal terrains, Anchorage, and (supposedly) wildlife.
From journal Anchorage in the Fall