New Trails Are Coming to GPRA!
Contributed by Marla Jakab, Mat-Su Ski Club
Something exciting is taking shape in the woods at Government Peak Recreation Area.
This summer, with support and approval from the Mat-Su Borough, the Mat-Su Ski Club is beginning the next phase of trail expansion at GPRA, adding new trail connections, improving trail flow and access, and creating even more opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation in the Mat-Su Valley.
If you’re unfamiliar with GPRA, it’s located at the end of Mountain Trails Drive off Edgerton Parks Road in Palmer, at the base of Hatcher Pass. Over the years, it has become one of the Valley’s most loved outdoor spaces and attracts more visitors annually than any other destination within the Mat-Su Borough parks and trails system.
And once you visit, it’s easy to understand why.
GPRA is a place for everyone. It’s where kids learn to Nordic ski for the first time, mountain bikers squeeze in evening rides after work, walkers enjoy rolling hills and mountain views, and families gather to spend time outdoors together. In the winter, skiers glide along groomed trails under the lights. In the summer, hikers, runners, bikers, and dog walkers enjoy miles of scenic trails.
Many people are surprised to learn that the Mat-Su Ski Club helps steward many of these trails year-round, grooming ski trails in the winter and caring for ski, multi-use, and hiking trails like Blueberry Knoll and Government Peak throughout the summer months. The club also works alongside organizations like Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBaH), whose volunteers help maintain and expand the area’s mountain bike trails.
As GPRA continues to grow in popularity, so does the need for expanded and better-connected trails.
This trail expansion project focuses on improving connections within the existing trail system while creating a better experience for everyone who uses the area. Planned improvements include new trail connectors, expanded multi-use beginner options and reroutes that improve safety and reduce congestion.
One of the most anticipated projects is a reroute of the popular Blueberry Knoll hiking trail onto higher, drier ground, helping reduce ski trail crossings and improve conditions for users across seasons.
The expansion of the Inner Pioneer Loop is another exciting addition. Utilizing nearby ambient lighting, this area has become especially popular with beginner skiers, Junior Nordics families, dog walkers, and evening users looking to squeeze in a quick lap after school or work. Additional connectors around the Denali Loop area will create new route options and more ways to explore GPRA.
And perhaps the most exciting part, this project is already underway because of local community support.
Last summer, donations from local supporters helped launch the vision. Since then, volunteers have spent significant time clearing trees and preparing sections of trail for construction. Dirt work is expected to begin in early June and continue through September.
Now, the Mat-Su Ski Club is inviting the community to help bring the next phase to life. There are many ways to get involved: make a donation to support trail expansion; volunteer during upcoming trail work days; become a business sponsor; share the project with friends and neighbors; and follow progress updates throughout the summer.
Last year, the club raised just over $12,000 and hopes to raise an additional $20,000 this summer to help complete all five trail sections by fall. Every dollar raised goes directly toward equipment, materials, and construction costs tied to the project.
Whether you ski, bike, walk, hike, or simply value vibrant outdoor spaces in our community, this project is an investment in recreation opportunities that will serve the Valley for years to come.
Because honestly, who doesn’t want more trails?
To learn more, donate, volunteer, or follow the project, visit matsuski.org/trailexpansion or follow the Mat-Su Ski Club on Facebook for updates throughout the summer.