Pepper Peak Trail

At an elevation of 5381 feet, Pepper Peak is #70 of the 120 Chugach State Park Peaks as listed on Peakbagger.com. The trail begins at the end of the Twin Peaks Trail at Eklutna Lake. From the bench, there is a trail to the left going down to the stream and a trail to the right going up above treeline. Take the trail on the right, which ascends toward the ridgeline, providing a great viewpoint of Eklutna Lake and the tallest mountains in the Western Chugach. The trail continues up the south ridge of the mountain, although it doesn't really seem like a ridgeline until you get closer to the top. The terrain changes from a grassy tundra to sharp rock and scree. The summit is a pair of rounded knobs and the further one is technically the top, though it is tough to judge. At the top, you get great views of Pioneer Peak, the Twin Peaks and Eklutna Lake. This trail has a difficult rating for its steep grade.