October 6, 2012 - University Lake

Today we walked the University Lake 5K route.  The walk starts at the Animal Care and Control Center, crosses Tudor Road via the pedestrian bridge, and then proceeds on a paved bike path past the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium towards University Lake.  After following the bike path for a while, the route turns onto an unpaved trail through the woods that leads to the Alaska Pacific University soccer field and then to University Lake.  The unpaved path continues through the dog park to the Springhill Suites.  A short walk along Elmore Road, and we are back on the paved bike path until we have completed a circuit around the lake.  At that point, we retrace our steps past ANTHC and over the Tudor Road pedestrian overpass.

There has been a lot of recent construction near ANTHC.  I noticed two trail improvements.  A number of "blue light" boxes have been installed along the bike trails.  

 

In addition, a mile marker has been installed which indicates that the trail near ANTHC is part of the Campbell Creek Trail.  Hmmm.  Can this be correct?  Campbell Creek, along with the rest of the Campbell Creek Trail, is on the other side of Tudor Road.  It is possible that the bit on the north side of Tudor that passes the ANMC is technically part of that trail system, but I would not have expected this.

It rained a lot yesterday.  As a result, the unpaved portions of the trail were very muddy.  The pedestrian tunnel under Ambassador Drive had a lot of water on the trail.  The trail was also flooded near the pedestrian tunnel under Elmore Road.

Flooding at Ambassador Drive Tunnel

Flooding along Elmore Road

 The route is a standard route for a club walk, although it is almost identical to one of our club's year round walks.  The Animal Care and Control Center offers free parking and a place to set up the start table.  The section on the bike path is pleasant enough.  I would prefer not having to go through an off-leash dog park, though many people would regard this as a plus.

The trail was flagged clearly and the instructions were clear.  However, no map was provided.  We didn't need it because we are very familiar with the area, but someone else might like to have a map.

Walk Route: C+

Walk Instructions: B-