After a few visits to Reflections Lake, an easy, flat, one-mile loop, I was curious about the trails that led out to the wetlands at the confluence of the Matanuska and Knik Rivers. Two or three trails veer off the lake loop, but there's one official path with a sign, so that's the one we took. The quarter-mile trail to where these two braided rivers meet is flat and frozen during winter, and once out of the willows and alders, you can look back and see mountains all around: Pioneer Peak, Matanuska Peak, Lazy Mountain, Hatcher Pass, Susitna (Sleeping Lady), and on a clear day, even Mount McKinley.
Distance: 1.5 miles (lake loop plus out and back wetlands trail)
Distance: 1.5 miles (lake loop plus out and back wetlands trail)
For more information:
Trail Map of Reflections Lake
Palmer Hay Flats Trails and Maps
Trail Map of Reflections Lake
Palmer Hay Flats Trails and Maps