Trailhead: 61.44899, -149.37029
Thunderbird Falls: 61.44206, -149.35857
Other than the slippery parts I very much enjoyed hiking to Thunderbird Falls in the winter. I am planning a trip in the summer so I can see what it’s like then but if you are looking for a great short adventure in the Anchorage area, you have found it!
I have been wanting to hike to Thunderbird Falls for a while and got the chance over the winter. I haven’t hiked this trail in the summer but I have been told that it can get very busy in warmer months. Hiking it in winter was perfect for me since only a few other hikers were on the trail. It’s not that I don’t like seeing other hikers or sharing trails, I just like doing the popular trails when it’s not the popular/busy times!
Anyway, the trail begins at a large parking lot where you could easily fit dozens of vehicles. Make sure you pay the fee before you head out too. It was $5 when I was there. The trail heads south for a ways before slowly turning to the east. You will pass many homes too so please be respectful and not go on their properties. As you hike towards the falls you will notice that the Eklutna River will be on your left.
You will eventually come to a small overlook – it’s incredibly steep here! There aren’t any railings or fences so please be careful with children and pets.
Of course, hiking in the winter has it’s positives and negatives. I enjoyed hiking with all the snow on the trees and the river and creek were frozen. It was of course slippery and I fell down a few times near the waterfall as I was trying to get closer. I unfortunately didn’t have snowshoes at the time so if you have some I would highly recommend using them.
When you hike about .6 miles the trail will split. The right trail (Falls View) goes on a wooden boardwalk to an overlook of Thunderbird Falls. The left trail (Creek Trail) goes down by Thunderbird Creek and eventually the falls. I hiked first left down to the falls and then came back to the boardwalk overlook.
The elevation changes about a hundred or so feet until Thunderbird Creek. The trail follows the creek until the falls. In the winter you could hike right up to the base of the falls. I couldn’t see where the actual trail was so I’m not sure where the trail would end if there wasn’t ice and snow.
The falls are right around the corner…
Even though the falls were almost completely frozen, they were still beautiful to see. The falls are only about 50 feet high and even though it was winter, there was still a good amount of water coming down them.
Hike back up the same way and continue on to the boardwalk overlook where you can get another impressive view of the falls.
