Reviewed by: dingo , from hope,ak

Summary:
for full suspension mtbs,or those who want speed,go from cooper landing to hope.try devils pass trail to ressurection trail for more challenging climb,and more curse words!devils can be a bit brushy down low,and keeps you pumping.great warm up until you reach the cabin @ devils pass,or the lake are great places to break out a phat bowl or dry off and warm up (it never rains here!psyke!)over half a dozen cabins on this trail make it a great overnighter for a fam or group,(just reserve it first from the forest service).the onlyproblem with doing the trail in this direction is you miss alot of the stunning scenery cuz your haulin ballz down the trail.bears exist,too.alot of the trail the singletrack is like a little ditch or trough,and the sides are banked making the curves really fun.hope was the biggest city in ak at one point during the goldrush,so there was alot mining in the day.be on the lookout for old camps,equipment,trails,gold,etc in the area.please,no open fires on this trailsystem,beetle killed spruce make it high fire danger every year.when you make it to hope ,reward yourself with a cold one on the sundeck at the only bar in hope,the Seaview,where the mouth of ressurection cr. meets the turnagain arm of cook inlet.dont litter.pack it out.theres a reason this is always rated as one of the top 10 mtb trails anywhere,come find out why.

Recommended Route:
cooper landing to hope

Other recommended trails in the same area:
like to mtb tour/camp?ride from hope all the way to seward,ak.great multiday through the heart of the chugach mtns.check your map and your shorts.

Reviewed by: John , from Corona del Mar

Summary:
Don't do what we did. We hammered this trail from start to finish to see how fast we could do it (4:25). If that is your thing, go for it, but the trail is so beautiful and the scenery so majestic that it is almost a crime to not soak it all in. We rode this at the end of June 2002, and the trail and the weather were perfect. Short sleves and shorts all the way. The whole 39 miles is bacically singletrack, a few water crossings/muddy stretches thrown in to make it interesting. There was one snow patch just south of Devil's Pass. For me the worst and hardest part of the trail is from about mile 9 until you get above the tree line, because the trail is riddled with tree roots that slow your pace and increase your concentration/mental fatigue. We had two flats near the summit, so don't forget your tubes. We also ran into a big black bear near Swan lake. He ran off when we started making noise. I can't wait to go back and do this in Seven hours instead of 4 1/2 hours.

Recommended Route:
I rode from Hope to Cooper Landing, because most of the reviewers here recommended that. But I have several friends in Alaska who prefer to go from CL to Hope, despite a few steep walking sections. They say the long descent into Hope is worth the steeper climbing. And Cooper Landing is higher elevation than Hope, so you will have a net loss in altitude.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I rode Kincaid a little, and it can be fun to bomb around, but it is not challenging and it is full of traffic (hikers, dogs, kids....). Same with the Coastal trail in Anchorage, which is basically a road ride since the bike path is so nice. Great scenery there too (of course, it's Alaska isn't it?)

Reviewed by: JB , from CHICAGO

Summary:
I HAVE DONE THIS RIDE 6-7 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND IT IS ONE OF THE GREAT RIDES AROUND THE ANCHORAGE AREA. THE FASTEST I WAS EVER ABLE TO COMPLETE IT WAS IN 4.5 HOURS AND THAT WAS CRAZY FAST, POWER BAR LUNCHES QUICK PEE-PEE STOPS, NO FLATS OR OTHER MECHANICALS. TWICE I WAS ABLE TO FLY LIKE THAT. EACH TIME WAS WITH ONLY ONE OTHE SKILLED PARTNER AND STARTING FROM HOPE. ANOTHER TIME WITH A GROUP OF 6 WE LEFT HOPE LATE AND ENDED UP OUT AFTER DARK, ILL-PREPARED FOR THE COLD (JULY) AND HUNGER. I HAVE ONLY RIDDEN THE TRAIL ONCE IN REVERSE AND ALTOUGH IT WAS WITH SOME INEXPERIENCED COMPAS, CARRYING 70+LB PACKS IT STILL, TO THIS DAY, SEEMES TO BE QUITE THE FEAT. THE TRAIL IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. MOST OF THE TRAIL BOOKS SAY 8-12 HOURS (OR OVERNIGHT) TO COMPLETE. I THINK THAT, ANY BETTER THAN AVG. RIDER CAN DO IT IN 6-8HOURS, BUT BE PERPARED FOR WHAT EVER ALASKA CAN DISH OUT! THERE ARE SEVERAL CABINS ALONG THE WAY (NOTE: TROUT LAKE CABIN IS MAYBE 1.5-2 MILES OFF THE BEATEN PATH-ADDITIONAL RIDE BUT OUT OF TRAFFIC). I HAVE YET TO SEE A BEAR, ON THIS TRAIL SYSTEM, BUT MOOSE ENCOUNTERS ARE ALMOST ASSURED. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE SIGNS AT THE TRAILHEADS REGARDING THESE ANIMALS AND KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER THEM, MORE IMPORTANTLY, KNOW WHAT TO DO TO ENSURE THAT YOU DON'T ENCOUTNTER THEM AT ALL! I AM GOING BACK TO RIDE IT, JOHNSON'S PASS, LOST LAKES, AND RUSSIAN LAKES THIS AUGUST, I WILL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT TRAIL CONDITIONS UPON MY RETURN.

Recommended Route:
IF YOU WANT A QUICK-FUN-SPEEDYGONZALEZ RIDE START IN HOPE AND TIME WILL FLY, SO WILL YOU. IF YOU WANT TO CHALLENGE YOUR CLIMBING SKILLS, START AT COOPER'S LANDING, THOUGH YOU MIGHT WISH YOU WOULD NOT HAVE.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
DEVIL'S PASS WHICH CONNECTS TO THIS TRAIL SYSTEM NEAR IT'S MID-POINT IS ALSO A NICE DAY RIDE 10 MILES UP, 10 DOWN. A LOT OF CLIMBING BUT THE DOWNHILL PAYOFF IS WELL WORTH IT. JOHNSON'S PASS TRAIL NEARBY IS ALSO A LOT OF FUN 20 MILES OF RELITIVELY WIDE SINGLE TRACK FAST AND ROLLING WITH NOT TOO MUCH IN THE INSANE CLIMBING DEPT.

Reviewed by: Ryan , from Soldotna, AK

Summary:
This is the ultimate trail. So much trail variety, there uphill, downhill, hard packed, loose gravel, big rocks, lakeside riding, above treeline, under the trees, & lots of awesome mountain views. I was in a group of 7 and we went on the second week of August. It was a beautiful day. Trail is kinda of over grown by then but, it was really dry at that time. It took us 8.5 hrs and that was from trailhead to trailhead with many snack stops and 3 flat tires. Make sure your tires are pumped up hard you can hit some of those rocks pretty hard causing a pinch flat. Bring as much water as you can carry, there are several streams to get water from. Don't forget your pruifier. Sunscreen is also a must even if you think it is going to be cloudy. At the pass my thermometer was reading 89 degrees. Needles to say my back was a bright red color when we were done. This trail is well used we passed about 35 people that day on the trail so please be kind and share the path. A must do trail.

Recommended Route:
Start at Hope side and come down to Cooper Landing. It's the only way to go.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cresant lake, Palmer Creek Road

Reviewed by: Brent , from Anchorage

Summary:
LOVE IT! It was the best thing I have done in a long time. I actually got teary eyed at the end. It is a beautiful ride and if you miss this one...you are going to regret it. There are some very technical rocky downhills, but nothing that you can't negotiate if you slow down. I just have a problem slowing down on the fast downhills. The best time to ride is definitely before Aug. After that it can get muddy and a little over grown with weeds. Take a good lunch and a minimum of 100 oz. of water. The ride took us (Dan and I) about 6 1/2 hours. We averaged about 6 miles an hour and that was with all MY stops. I am not in really good shape yet. If you are coming to alaska, you have to ride this trail. If you have any questions, email me and I will set you up with Dan, he can't seem to get enough of it!

Recommended Route:
Start at the Hope side and park a car at the Cooper Landing side.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Johnsons Pass, Powerline Pass