Just a couple hours drive from the city of Anchorage, the Reed Lakes Trail is a magical escape to a pair of bright blue lakes in the mountains. Just big enough for a quick dip, the days are waning when it’ll be hot enough to jump in. So, don’t miss this gorgeous trail in Alaska this summer and hike the Reed Lakes Trail to the crystal clear Reed Lakes.
Reed Lakes Trail is beautiful hike into the mountains in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley near Hatcher Pass. The lakes lie at about 56 miles north of Anchorage.
The trail has many options for hiking. The first two miles is easy and flat with a well maintained trail. Continue on to 4.5 miles (one way) for the Lower Reed Lake. The trail gets rockier and steeper as you go deeper into the mountains.
The full hike is 8.7 miles (one way) to Upper Reed Lake. There are fewer good camping spots up high, but the views are incredible. There are ample camping spots at Lower Reed Lake.
Once you reach the higher elevations, the mountains turn into a magical spot for dipping, lounging and exploring. Waterfalls dot the path to the star attraction, the Reed Lakes.
The Reed Lakes are small, but beautiful. The bright blue color comes from the glacial run-off that feeds the lakes. Glacial water is blue, full of silt and minerals, and ancient snow compacted for many years.
