Page 36 - Travel Guide Fly Alaska Edition

Visitors interested in viewing or include hotels, bed and breakfasts, booming gold rush era supply point and
climbing GOLD STAR PEAK, recently vacation rentals, lakeside resorts, historic Athabascan Native settlement area, Knik
named to honor families of soldiers lodges and inns, mountain chalets, log is a checkpoint along the Iditarod Trail
killed in service, can pick up Old Glenn cabins and remote wilderness lodges. and a center for breeding and training
Highway in Eklutna Native Village for sled dogs. Listed on the National Register
a short distance to Eklutna Lake Road. Beginning about 40 miles north of of Historic Places, Bjorn Cabin and the
Park at mile 4.5 and hike to mile 5; at Anchorage and continuing along George old pool hall, now the Knik Museum and
telephone pole 85 the trailhead begins Parks Highway 3 for several miles, home to the Dog Mushers Hall of Fame,
once up a steep slope. After a 3 to 4 WASILLA is the bustling hub of the Mat- still stand.
mile ascent, the summit is marked with Su Valley. Set amid hundreds of calm
flags, a cross made of 30mm rounds for lakes in prime territory for fishing and About a 30-minute drive from Wasilla,
Marines who fell in Iraq, a wind-whipped water sports, the town is also steeped in first north on Highway 3 then onto Big
tower of dog tags, painted stones and gold rush history and proud home to the Lake Road, BIG LAKE offers 67 miles of
golden stars, and the summit log filled world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race pristine shoreline and fabulous fishing.
with the names of soldiers who made Headquarters. The Museum of Alaska Winter sees ice highways crisscrossing
the ultimate sacrifice. Goldstarpeak. Transportation and Industry houses an the lake and one of Alaska’s most popular
org offers physical assistance to those impressive collection of planes, trains snowmobile trail systems. The town itself
in need of help to make the healing and automobiles. Visitors enjoy exploring provides a full range of services and
pilgrimage to the top. Old Townsite Park at the Wasilla Museum, accommodations, including lakeside
where fresh produce is available at lodges.
Thirty-five miles north of Anchorage, the weekly farmer’s market. Great
the glacier-carved Matanuska and restaurants, plentiful accommodations Fifteen miles further north from
Susitna Valleys come together to form the and Alaskan shopping of all varieties can Wasilla on Highway #3, HOUSTON is
MAT-SU VALLEY, a maze of rich farmland also be found here. located on the banks of the Little Susitna
and spectacular sights. With dozens of River, offering a gentle river to float with
RV parks, campgrounds and recreation In Wasilla, S. Knik-Goose Bay Road great fishing. Fishing charters, RV and
sites, the area is a top destination for runs 14 miles southwest to the old tent camping, cabin and inn lodging and
Alaska travelers. Other accommodations townsite of KNIK, beautifully situated restaurants are available.
between lake and tidal waters. Once a
On the 11 mile drive north from
Houston on Highway 3 to WILLOW,

258 Drive Alaska