Reflections Lake: My favorite little trail
I’ve been traipsing around Reflections Lake in Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge for more than 15 years now, and it’s been fascinating to watch it shift from a nowhereville stop off the Glenn Highway into a popular, easy walking destination for families, with a multi-level observation tower and a series of boardwalks to keep your feet dry.
Go when it’s breezy, to help keep the bugs off. This is a great place for birdwatching and identifying flowers, or bring your binoculars to look for moose and other wildlife from the observation tower.
This is hike 18 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska and hike 48 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.
| Loop Distance: 1.2 miles | Nearest community: Chugiak, Wasilla, Palmer |
| Elevation gain: 20 feet | Typical season: Year-round |
| Parking fee: No fee | Nearby trails: Thunderbirds Falls, Eydlu Benu Loop, Eklutna Lakeside Trail |
Reflections Lake Trailhead Directions
From Anchorage, drive about 32 miles northeast on the Glenn Highway to a marked exit for Knik River Access / Reflections Lake. Take the exit, drive underneath the highway, and follow the road as it bends left. The Reflections Lake trailhead will be on your right.
From Palmer or Wasilla, follow signed highway access for Anchorage, then look for the marked exit for Knik River Access / Reflections Lake. Coming from this direction, you don’t need to drive under the highway. Just turn right after the exit, then look for Reflections Lake trailhead on your right.
Only a few cars fit at this trailhead; it’s very common for overflow vehicles to be parked off the road on a large grassy area opposite the trailhead. Make sure not to block the road itself, which also served as access to the Knik Rivers for trucks hauling boats/trailers.
Hiking Reflections Lake
This pretty little lake is actually a gravel pit that has been reclaimed by nature, thanks to the influence of the nearby Matanuska and Knik rivers. The trail makes a complete loop around Reflections Lake, so you really don’t need any directions aside from turning either left or right from the spit of land that acts as a trailhead.
There are a few short, steep hills along the trail, but each one comes with an optional, flat bypass.
Keep an eye out for a small sign marking a side trail leading down a short hill (this one with no bypass) and onto the flats where the rivers converge. If you head out onto the flats, bring your flower and bird identification books with you. Between that trail and the main Reflections Lake loop, you might spot tiny wood frogs, orchids, and a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds.
Heads up if you do go out on the flats: Although I have not seen this happen myself, I understand they may become inundated at high tides.
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Lisa Maloney
A long-time Alaskan, Lisa has written three award-winning guidebooks including "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" and "50 Hikes Around Anchorage." She also served as senior editor of Alaska magazine and has written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles about her adventures around the state. Learn more about her at http://maloneywrites.com.
