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Williwaw Lake Trail
Alpine gems all different in size, color, shape, and setting. Grassy meadows, tarns, and rock ridges make this seldom-visited area a unique experience. A valley close to Anchorage, but a world apart from any other in the skyline peaks.
Park at the Glen Alps parking lot. Follow the trail to the powerline trail. Proceed along the rough road until a gap in the alders and hemlock is seen. Walk down to the stream to a plank bridge. To the northeast stands Peak 4250 which is not O'Malley Peak, as one might guess. Between this prominent summit and the end of the ridge is a 3000-foot pass. Climb to the pass, weaving through hemlock patches and then up steep scree. Views from the summit of the Middle Fork of Campbell Creek; Wolverine Peak (4455') tops the northeast skyline.
Contour without losing elevation over the giant boulder field called "The Glacier" (from Anchorage in winter it looks like one) (also called the "ballpark" or "football field"). Do not climb to the high point of the Glacier (3995') but go between it and the sheer north buttress of O'Malley Peak (5150'). Just before the gap is Deep Lake, a tiny tarn below the walls of O'Malley. From the gap large Black Lake can be seen. Descend and contour around its north side. Here the valley opens into Williwaw Lakes Basin.
After passing Black Lake, drop a few hundred feet through alder and boulders to the broad but shallow stream below. Follow the stream past a marshy lake, beyond which it may be forded at convenience. Directly east lies the west face of Williwaw Mountain (5445) . To the south are the craggy northern slopes of O'Malley and Peak 5105 on which abundant sheep are generally observed. Now climb the valley rising to the northeast. The Williwaw Lakes rest on a series of grassy benches stretching a mile below the north face of Williwaw, the highest lake located at 3500 feet. At the height of the season the basin exhibits some of the best of Alaska's alpine flora.
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