Eklutna Lake, Twin Peaks Trail, Alaska, Adventures of Nicole

Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake Hiking Guide

Updated April 2026, Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake Hiking Guide was originally written in September 2015

I’ve lived in Alaska and near Eklutna Lake for most of my life, yet somehow it took me years to finally hike the Twin Peaks Trail. Located in Chugach State Park about an hour northeast of Anchorage, the trail climbs steeply above the turquoise waters of Eklutna Lake to alpine views of the surrounding Chugach Mountains.

The Twin Peaks Trail is about 2.5 miles one way with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain, ending at an alpine bench beneath Twin Peaks. If you’re looking for a longer and much harder Eklutna Lake hike, you can continue beyond the end of the maintained trail toward Pepper Peak. That’s the route I took, turning the hike into roughly a 9-mile round trip with more than 4,500 feet of elevation gain.

The payoff is worth the effort: from higher on the mountain, Eklutna Lake stretches out below you in an improbable shade of blue, with glaciers, peaks, and open tundra filling the horizon.

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Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake: Quick Facts

Location	Chugach State Park, Alaska
Nearest city	Anchorage
Trailhead	Eklutna Lake
Twin Peaks Trail distance	2.5 miles one way
Twin Peaks elevation gain	About 1,500 feet
Difficulty	Difficult
Pepper Peak route	About 8.5 miles round trip
Pepper Peak elevation gain	About 4,500 feet
Best time to hike	May through October
Parking	$5 daily parking fee or Alaska State Parks pass
Dogs	Allowed on leash
Trail type	Out and back

Best Time to Hike Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake

Eklutna Lake is accessible year-round, but May through October is generally the best window for hiking Twin Peaks Trail and continuing toward Pepper Peak. Current trail information lists May through October as the best season for the Pepper Peak route.

My personal favorite time is mid to late September. The tundra starts turning shades of yellow, orange, and red, while the higher peaks often pick up their first dusting of snow. Against the turquoise water of Eklutna Lake, it’s a pretty hard combination to beat.

Summer offers longer daylight and generally easier trail conditions, while early fall brings cooler temperatures and some of the best color. Snow and ice can arrive early in the higher elevations, so conditions can change quickly as you gain elevation.

How Difficult Is the Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake?

The Twin Peaks Trail is a difficult hike, primarily because of its steep elevation gain rather than technical climbing. Alaska State Parks lists approximately 1,500 feet of elevation gain over 2.5 miles one way and notes steep terrain and loose footing in places.

For most reasonably fit hikers, the standard Twin Peaks Trail is achievable with enough time and water, but don’t expect a casual stroll around Eklutna Lake. The climb is continuous, and the descent can be tough on the knees.

Pepper Peak is a different beast. Once you leave the maintained Twin Peaks Trail, the route becomes steeper, rougher, and more demanding. I’d only recommend continuing toward Pepper Peak if you’re comfortable with sustained elevation gain and less-defined mountain trails.

How Long Does the Twin Peaks Trail Take?

Most hikers should allow several hours for the Twin Peaks Trail, depending on where they turn around and how much time they spend enjoying the views. The official trail is about 2.5 miles one way.

If you’re continuing to Pepper Peak, plan on a full day. Current route listings put the Pepper Peak via Twin Peaks Trail route at roughly 8.4 to 8.5 miles with about 4,500 feet of elevation gain, and typical hiking times are around 6.5 to 7.5 hours.

How to Get to Eklutna Lake from Anchorage

Eklutna Lake is one of the easiest places to escape Anchorage for a proper mountain hike. From downtown Anchorage, drive north on the Glenn Highway and take the Eklutna exit at Mile 26.5. Follow the signs for Eklutna Lake, then turn onto Eklutna Lake Road and continue toward the mountains.

The road is paved all the way to the Eklutna Lake recreation area, where you’ll find the campground, day-use parking, boat launch, and trailheads. The drive takes roughly an hour from Anchorage, depending on traffic.

Parking at Eklutna Lake costs $5 per day, unless you have a valid Alaska State Parks parking pass.king fee at Ekltuna Lake unless you are an Alaska State Parks permit holder.

Looking for more hiking ideas in the area? Check out my post 16 best day hikes near Anchorage

Where Does the Twin Peaks Trail Start?

The Twin Peaks Trail starts at the Eklutna Lake Trailhead in Chugach State Park. From the day-use parking area, walk toward the lake and follow the signs for Twin Peaks. The trail immediately begins climbing through the forest.

Don’t confuse the Twin Peaks Trail with the Eklutna Lakeside Trail. The Lakeside Trail follows the shoreline and is a mostly easy route, while Twin Peaks heads steeply uphill toward the mountains. The two trails start in the same general Eklutna Lake recreation area but offer very different hiking experiences.

Hiking the Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake

Hiking From Twin Peaks Trailhead to the Bench

The Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake starts by climbing through spruce and birch forest along an old roadbed. The trail is fairly wide here, but don’t mistake that for an easy hike. It gains elevation quickly, and the climb becomes increasingly noticeable as you work your way toward treeline.

The official trail ends about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, at a bench after gaining roughly 1,500 feet. The upper section opens into alpine terrain beneath Twin Peaks, with spectacular views back toward Eklutna Lake. Do expect steep grade and loose footing in places.

From the bench, Eklutna Lake stretches away below you, framed by the Chugach Mountains. It’s also a good place to stop and decide whether you want to continue higher. If you’re short on time, visiting the first bench gives you a taste of the trail without committing to the full climb.

From the Bench to the End of the Twin Peaks Trail

From here, you’ll have expansive views toward Eklutna Lake and the surrounding Chugach Mountains. Dall sheep are also known to inhabit the slopes around Twin Peaks, so keep your eyes on the surrounding mountainsides.

Continuing uphill brings you to a second bench near treeline. This marks the end of the maintained Twin Peaks Trail and is a natural turnaround point for hikers who want the full Twin Peaks experience without venturing onto the rougher routes beyond it.

Continuing to Pepper Peak

If you’re looking for a much harder Eklutna Lake hike, you can continue beyond the end of the Twin Peaks Trail toward Pepper Peak.

This is the route I chose, and it turns the hike into a serious full-day outing. The Pepper Peak route is roughly 8.5 miles round trip with around 4,500 feet of elevation gain, depending on the exact route you follow. Current trail listings put the summit at roughly 5,400 feet.

From the second bench, leave the maintained Twin Peaks Trail and follow the rougher path toward the ridge. This section is considerably steeper and less straightforward than the trail below. The path can become muddy or slippery, and route-finding becomes more important as you climb.

Once you’re above treeline, the landscape changes quickly. Forest gives way to tundra, blueberry bushes, rocky slopes, and increasingly huge views over Eklutna Lake. Eventually, the route climbs toward the summit of Pepper Peak.

The higher you climb, the better the views become. Eklutna Lake sits far below, while the surrounding Chugach peaks and Eklutna Glacier fill the horizon.

Other Eklutna Lake Hikes

Twin Peaks Trail is only one of several hiking options around Eklutna Lake. If you’re looking for an easier Eklutna Lake hike, the Eklutna Lakeside Trail follows the shoreline and continues toward Eklutna Glacier. The full route is roughly 13 miles one way, although you can simply hike as far as you like before turning around.

Other options include Bold Ridge Trail and routes toward the surrounding alpine terrain. This makes Eklutna Lake a particularly good destination if you’re traveling with a group of people who have different ideas about what constitutes a “fun hike.” One person’s relaxing lake walk is another person’s 4,500-foot vertical sufferfest.

What to Bring for the Twin Peaks Trail

Even though Twin Peaks Trail is close to Anchorage, this is a proper mountain hike. Come prepared for changing weather and steep terrain.

I recommend bringing:

Plenty of water
Hiking poles, especially for the descent
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Extra layers and rain gear
Snacks and lunch for longer hikes
Bear spray
Offline maps or a downloaded GPS track
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Bug repellent in summer
Microspikes if you’re hiking during shoulder-season conditions

Cell service can be unreliable around Eklutna Lake, so don’t rely on your phone being able to call for help or download a map once you’re on the trail.

Twin Peaks Trail Safety

The lower Twin Peaks Trail is straightforward to follow, but conditions change as you climb above treeline. The route toward Pepper Peak is considerably less defined than the maintained trail, and loose rock, mud, snow, and poor visibility can make navigation more difficult.

Weather can also change quickly in the Chugach Mountains. Check the forecast before leaving, bring layers, and be prepared to turn around if conditions deteriorate.

This is also bear and Dall sheep country. Make noise when visibility is limited, carry bear spray, and give wildlife plenty of space. Dall sheep are commonly seen around the upper slopes of Twin Peaks.