A Short Winter Hike Leads You To One Of The Prettiest Frozen Waterfalls In Alaska
If you’re looking for a short, easy winter hike with beautiful views, Virgin Creek Falls is a great trail for everyone to enjoy. Located just 40 minutes outside of Anchorage in Girdwood, Alaska, this stunning hike leads you to the lovely Virgin Creek Falls, which can freeze in the cold winter weather.
Girdwood is located in the northernmost temperate rainforest. This averages out to almost 220 annual inches of snowfall!
The entire trail is only .5 miles, out and back. Many visitors can complete it in around 10 minutes.
As long as you watch your footing it is easy to get to the falls. The elevation gain is only about 180 feet, although it can feel a little steep as the total elevation gain is over a very short distance.
While not one of the tallest waterfalls you'll see in Alaska, the secluded nature of the falls and the easy access make it many people's favorite. The wonderful views make for great photos, with plenty of spots to take a beautiful picture!
You can find icicles dripping off the rocks, forming beautiful water based stalactites. The logs and area near the spray will be very slippery, so make sure to watch your footing as you gaze at the falls.
This trail is easy for all ages and abilities. It's not wheelchair accessible, but as long as you can walk and carefully climb over lifted tree roots, you should be able to complete the hike easily. You will find families with young children hiking this trail frequently, as it's short enough for even the littlest kids to stay interested in the destination.
There isn't a huge parking area, so you may have to pull over on the side of the road. Make sure not to block any driveways. The trail is not maintained, but the trail is so well loved it's packed down most of the year for ease of hiking.
Have you visited Virgin Creek Falls in the winter? What did you think? Were the waterfalls frozen? Let us know in the comments below!
To fuel up after your winter hike in Girdwood, make sure to grab something delicious at any of these Award-Winning Restaurants That Seem To Outnumber The Residents Of Girdwood, A Tiny Town In Alaska.
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Address: 1101-1298 Timberline Dr, Girdwood, AK 99587, USA
