Overview Dredge Lake is a very popular place for people to get out and enjoy the wonders of Juneau, Alaska. Although the summer cross country mountain bike races are held here, one of the funnest things to do on the Dredge Lake circuit is to go out and try to get lost. The funny thing is that all trails lead back to somewhere you already rode, so riders can never really accomplish getting lost, physically, that is. It is easy to get lost in the fun and exhilaration involved with riding Dredge's mounding moraine hills and superb trail conditions. Dredge consists of a variety of overland trails linking beaver ponds to lakes and creeks to rivers. From singletrack and 2x12 boardwalk to paths and dirt roads, Dredge covers the basics of off road bike riding. The forested area around Dredge was formerly covered by the Mendenhall Glacier, but a 125 years worth of recession have pushed the glacier up into the mountainsides, wherefore animal and man have worked together to implement a series of well worn paths. It is no wonder that wild animals, scenery, and mountain bikers proliferate the area. Sooner or later the trails reach Mendenhall Lake at the wildlife viewing platforms and the spectacular glacial overlooks.
Trail Description The Riverside Elementary Bridge pullout is a great place to start your ride. Numerous singletracks branch off from dirt roads which intersect with other options. All trails lead to Dredge Lake where a Forest Service yurt hubs the trail network. Riders exploring the yurt area will ultimately find the whoopty-doos trail. The straight away trail stretches over 100 meters with a two foot whoopty-doo every few bike lengths. This section excites riders of every age and is a guaranteed crowd pleasure. Heading towards the glacier riders find themselves walled in by a hallway of dense trees. Veering to the left or right does not make a difference because the trails meander through a canopy of greenery and usually follow lake shores. Getting There You must either fly or float to Juneau and then take "the road". Turn north towards the glacier on Mendenhall Blvd and then hang a left and take Back Loop Road to the parking lot at the edge of the Mendenhall River. If you go over the bridge, you have gone too far.
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