Posts by Erik Johnson
Far From the Madding Crowd
This movie is based on the novel by Thomas Hardy, one of my favorite Victorian authors. If you like to nerd out over British romance, like a strong female protagonist, and enjoy the "Which man should she choose?" genre, you'll like this one. It's ultimately uplifting and doesn't have any spicy content.
"A good way to gauge how epic your summer has been is how many days you have to shower more than once. Get outside, get dirty, and get sweaty!"
Beginner Hikes in the Chugiak/Eagle River Area
The hikes below are generally flat and offer a great first step into hiking and getting into nature! These areas also offer both shorter and longer hikes. The trails are wide and well-maintained. They are also popular trails, so while wildlife encounters are certainly still possible, there is enough human traffic to reduce the chances of meeting something large and hairy.
Eagle River Nature Center
Located at the end of Eagle River Rd, this trail system is the also the end of the Crow Pass Trail. It has a cute visitor's center and offers cool classes throughout the year. The smallest loop brings you to a creek/pond with an extensive boardwalk where you can see salmon spawning in the fall. You can always hike the Crow Pass trail as far as you'd like. There are some rapids to view about two miles in, and Echo Bend is three miles in. "The Perch" and Heritage Falls are about a 3 and 4-mile hike respectively (1 way) and offer amazing views. There is also the Dew Mound and Albert loops trails. The Albert Loop trail typically closes in midsummer because of bear concerns, as the trail crosses several salmon streams. Be bear aware! There are lots of bears out there. Make noise, go in a group, and bring bear protection. Cabins and yurts are also available to rent along the trail, but you need to get reservations early.
South Fork Eagle River (Hiland Valley)
This trail is up near the end of Hiland Road. Once you get near timberline, follow the signs to the trailhead. The trail is generally level and is above timberline, so views and berries abound! You can also do some longer hikes here. Eagle and Symphony Lakes are about 6 miles back on an easy trail. There is also a hanging valley to the east with a side trail leading up to beautiful peaks and a small lake.
This is a great place for your first backpacking trip! The trail is mostly flat, the views are incredible, and I've rarely seen bears back there. Be aware you need to cross a boulder field once you get to the lakes. Look for "cairns" (piles of stones) to find the easiest way through. The best camping is on the ridge between the two lakes or towards Eagle Lake (the one to the east) after you cross the boulder field.
Thunderbird Falls
This one is my least favorite. The trail only goes about a mile back and ends at a fairly unimpressive waterfall. Before you reach the end of the trail, where there is a view platform you can hardly see the waterfall from, take the side trail to your left heading down to the creek, where you can get closer to the base of the falls. The first half of the hike borders a subdivision, so you see people's backyards for half the hike. The trail also often has lots of people.
Eklutna Lake
Instead of Thunderbird Falls, go all the way back on Eklutna Lake Rd to the end. There is a big campground at the foot of the lake. A trail follows the lake shore and beyond. It ends about 12 miles back. This is also a great place to bring bikes. Be aware motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail several days a week, which kinda ruins the quiet nature walk. The views are amazing the whole way. Other moderate hikes are also nearby. This tends to be an annoyingly popular spot on warm sunny days. Be aware that the lake is very, very cold. Sudden strong winds also affect the lake, so if you are doing any water sports, be very, very careful. In the winter you can skate on the lake ice if we have a cold winter with delayed snow, but be careful. The lake is used as Anchorage's water supply, and rising and falling lake levels can make the ice unstable.
Arctic Valley
Take the Arctic Valley exit and drive east. The dirt road winds way up the mountainside, and you begin your hike on the tundra at the base of Arctic Valley Ski Area. The easy, wide trail ascends gently to a pass with excellent views of the mountains near Eagle River. Once you get to the pass, you can turn right and ascend Mt. Gordon-Lyon. If you take a right, you can climb Rendezvous Peak. This is also a very popular trail on nice days and during berry season. Be aware that the military closes the gate and the bottom of the road at 9 or 10pm, so make sure you are out of there in time. Also, the parking lot is run by the ski resort, so you will need to pay for parking even if you have an Alaska State Parks parking sticker.
Outdoor Gear
Johnson's Guide to Becoming an Outdoorsy Teen: Gear
Alright, y'all. This will be an ongoing series. However, for those of you who want to get outdoorsy, here's a few first steps you can take.
Gear:
In the summer, even for day hikes, you need to bring the following things:
- A weatherproof shell
- Alaskan weather can change quick. Even a stop at the top of a peak on a sunny but windy day can get you chilled quick. Find something that's lightweight, windproof, and preferably waterproof.
- Water!
- Getting dehydrated sucks. If you seriously sweat like me, consider even more water or a water filter or life straw.
- An extra layer + a hat
- A wool sweater is your best bet here. It keeps you warm even if its wet, and it breathes better than any synthetic fabric. Find a thick sweater. It's easy to find ugly, thick wool sweaters at thrift shops. That extra layer can often, literally, save your life. Imagine you're 6 miles back and you break a leg. It's going to be hours before rescuers can get to you. A wool sweater and a weatherproof shell will be the difference between a bad day and a potentially profoundly shitty day. Same goes for a hat.
- Bear spray
- Practice using it with an older can of spray. As you are walking, practice taking it out quickly. Like firearms, it's only effective if you have done a ton of practice and are proficient with it. (It's also good for creepy men.)
- A partner
- Speaking of creepy men, it's always best to hike with a partner. If someone gets hurt, you'll need someone to find help. If they are carrying layers and someone gets hurt, you can share layers and other items.
- Snacks
- Because snacks. Also, when you're in the middle of a suffer-fest, you'd be amazed at how a granola bar or Jolly Rancher can lift your spirits.
- Bug spray
- Bad mosquitos or flies can ruin an otherwise idyllic hike.
- A Garmin GPS
- Lots and lots of places just outside of town have no cellular coverage. This can literally save your life. They're not that expensive, and the subscriptions aren't either. Tell you parents that if they love you, they'll buy you one.
“Ways of Seeing” – How women are often “seen.”
This is a series done in the early 70s by a guy in the UK named John Berger. It bills itself as a series about renaissance paintings, but it's really not. It's about the way we see the world.
Of particular interest is this second episode on renaissance nudes. I obviously cannot show it in class, and it's not really about renaissance nudes. Instead, it's about how women are viewed by both men and women. It's a deep meditation at the way we perceive ourselves and others.
(WARNING: contains brief nudity and obviously lots of nudes in paintings.)
Date ideas
Johnson’s list of FUN STUFF (Notice this list does not involve movies, video games, or just “hanging out.” Also, not all dates have to be just the two of you. Invite friends too!)
Outdoors
- Hikes
- Baldy
- Blacktail
- Eagle/Symphony Lakes
- Archangel Rd./Hatcher Pass
- Just discover and explore local trails
- River rambles
- Hunting, fishing
- State fair
- Walks your pet around the neighborhood
- Go into nature and take photos.
- Grow something together
- Paddle boarding, canoeing, rafting, cliff jumping, etc (wear a life jacket and know what you’re doing)
- Berry picking
- Play on a playground like little kids
- Play in puddles. Get into a water fight.
- Climb trees
- Geocaching
- Frisbee golf
- Show them your favorite childhood spots
- Collect and press wildflowers
- Campfires
- Skiing, sledding, snowball fight, build a snow fort or snowman, ice skating (outside), snowmachining, snowshoeing
Indoors
- Take a class together (dancing, art, nature stuff, etc)
- Plan a surprise date
- Paint nights (or other art)
- Volunteering
- Read a book together (maybe read out loud to each other)
- Live theater
- Rock climbing gym
- Cook for each other
- Random drives at odd hours. Stargazing out of town. Chase the Northern lights
- Take someone’s younger sibling/relative for a day out.
- Cooking for/with each other
- Introduce your partner to one of your hobbies or passions