Alaska Llamas & Outdoors Blog

Llamas originated in North America over 40 million years ago before migrating south and going extinct in their original homeland. The Reintroduction: After dying out in North America at the end of the last Ice Age, llamas returned in the late 1800s as exotic additions to zoos and private collections. Notably, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst kept a private herd at his famous Hearst Castle in California.

The Hike: Twin Peaks Trail to the Eklutna Overlook  Why I like this Hike:  This well maintained trail offers spectacular views of Eklutna Lake and surrounding mountains with the potential for dall sheep viewing. It's family friendly and suitable for various skill levels depending on what hiking option you choose. Located in Chugach State Park about an hour's drive north of Anchorage, the trailhead is easily accessible with good parking. (Parking fee required.) How to Get There: Google Maps - click  Eklutna Lake Overview: Length: Twin Peaks Trail is 2.6 miles one-way, with first bench located about halfway up. Overlook of Eklutna Lake is about another .75-mile, and Pepper Peak at least one additional mile. Elevation: Twin Peaks Trail gains about 1,800 feet in elevation to the second bench. Pepper Peak is 5,450 feet elevation. The Nitty Gritty: From the day-use parking lot, cross a small footbridge, bear left onto the Twin Peaks trail and start climbing. You’ll begin getti...

This all-season hike is even doable during winter months... Why I Like This Hike:   This section of the Historic Iditarod Trail starts from the Eagle River Nature Center (ERNC) and makes for an enjoyable hike any time of  year especially in the winter after a fresh snowfall. The well-established trail is truly an all-season hike with potential for wildlife viewing and doable for all skill levels. Background : The Historic Iditarod (aka Crow Pass) Trail which spans the Girdwood Valley to Eagle River is considered one of the best trails to hike in the Chugach mountain range because it offers such diversity including glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife.  A bit of trivia not known by many is that this trail was rebuilt in the 1970s with girl scout labor. Moose on trail near ERNC How to Get There:   For driving directions to the trailhead at the ERNC go to the   ERNC Website .  Or Google Maps -  Directions to ERNC . Hike Description: This hike covers...

Llamas, the Ultimate Backcountry Hiking Partner? Go further, stay longer and hike harder with your 300 pound (llama) hiking partner! Llamas have been raised in South America for centuries as pack animals. The packing ability of llamas combined with their ease of transport enables them to be utilized in a wide variety of situations and makes them ideal for packing. They are popular with hikers and hunters on longer overnight trips because they can carry most or all of the gear. Advantages There are many advantages to using llamas over other types of pack animals. Llamas do not have hooves. They have two-toed padded feet with a toenail which grows over the top of each toe. This makes them very sure-footed. The pads do much less damage to the environment because they do not tear into and dent the ground the way hooves can. For this reason, llamas are often allowed on trails where horses are prohibited Llamas are browsers, not grazers, and can eat various plants while movin...

A recent letter (below) from Dr. Chris Cebra (DVM and noted camelid/llama veterinary researcher at Oregon State University) exonerates camelids from disease threats being purported by the The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), various  government agencies, and special interest groups such as the Wild Sheep Foundation.  To download Dr. Chris Cebra's letter (09-11-2024)  go to this link: https://www.packllamas.org/pdf/akban/cebra-letter.pdf Why Is This Important?  Although WAFA and special interest groups have no regulatory power, they influence government agencies to enact government regulations restricting the use of pack llamas on public lands and promote the spread of misinformation. This Memo from the Ad Hoc Committee for Llama Access to Public Lands (below) provides important background information. It was sent to the WAFWA-WSI and the WHC and all western state wildlife directors, accompanying the Dr. Cebra Letter in November 2024. Memo fr...