Photos: Palmer Hay Flats Game Refuge Wildlife Viewing Tower

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A viewing tower is under construction at the Reflections Lake in the Palmer Hay Flats Game Refuge off of the Glenn Highway south of Palmer on Tuesday, March 24. The tower funded by the National Scenic Byways Program and the Recreational Trails Program is being installed on the northwest side of Reflections Lake. Portions of the trail system will be closed through early April.

PALMER HAY FLATS STATE GAME REFUGE -- The recreational renewal of Reflections Lake is almost complete.

A 30-foot-tall steel viewing tower rising on the lake's northwest side marks the end of an upgrade that began in 2008 with a mile-long perimeter trail. The $300,000 tower is expected to open this month.

The tower marks the end of a seven-year transition for the lake tucked between the Knik River and the Glenn Highway in the scenic shadow of the Chugach Mountains -- from "Rambo Rest Stop" to recreation destination.

Read more: 'New $300,000 viewing tower rises along shores of Mat-Su's Reflections Lake'