Williwaw Lakes Trail — Complete Alaska Hiking Guide

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Williwaw Lakes Trail: Your Chugach Alpine Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Chugach State Park with a hike to the stunning Williwaw Lakes. Nestled in a breathtaking glacial valley, these pristine alpine lakes offer a quintessential Alaskan wilderness experience, complete with rugged mountain vistas, vibrant wildflowers, and a chance to spot diverse wildlife. While challenging, the reward of reaching these tranquil waters amidst towering peaks makes the effort entirely worthwhile for hikers seeking a true taste of the Last Frontier’s natural grandeur.

Overview

The Williwaw Lakes Trail is a classic Chugach adventure, typically accessed via the popular Glen Alps Trailhead. It’s a journey that combines the well-maintained Powerline Pass Trail with a more rugged descent into the Williwaw Lakes valley. This hike is generally considered moderate to strenuous due to its significant length and cumulative elevation gain, making it a fantastic day trip for experienced hikers or a challenging but achievable goal for those with good fitness. The trail provides spectacular views throughout, transitioning from expansive alpine tundra to the intimate beauty of a glacial valley dotted with a chain of clear, cold lakes.

Trail Description

Your adventure typically begins at the Glen Alps Trailhead (approximately 2,200 feet elevation). From here, you’ll follow the wide, gravel Powerline Pass Trail, which immediately starts a steady, consistent climb. This section, roughly 3.5 to 4 miles long, gains about 1,200 feet in elevation, offering increasingly panoramic views of the Anchorage Bowl, Cook Inlet, and the distant Alaska Range. The trail here is well-defined and often exposed to the elements, so be prepared for wind and sun.

Upon reaching the highest point of Powerline Pass (around 3,400 feet), you’ll see a junction. The main Powerline Pass Trail continues straight, but you’ll take the trail veering left, which is less defined and begins its descent into the Williwaw Lakes valley. This approximately 1.5 to 2-mile section drops about 700 feet to the first Williwaw Lake. The trail here becomes narrower, rockier, and can be wet or muddy in places. You’ll navigate through alpine meadows, cross small streams, and traverse rocky slopes. The first and second lakes are the most commonly visited, offering incredible photo opportunities and a perfect spot for a break. Continuing beyond the second lake involves more route finding and stream crossings, leading to even more remote lakes further up the valley.

For a round trip to the first Williwaw Lake and back via Powerline Pass, expect a total distance of approximately 10-12 miles with a cumulative elevation gain of around 1,900 feet (accounting for the descent into the valley and the climb back out to Powerline Pass).

What to Expect

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