Photos: Hiking 6,000-foot-plus Pioneer Peak

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 10

Alan Baldivieso of Portland, Ore., left, and Andy Varner of Anchorage rest along the Pioneer Ridge Trail, taking in the views of the Knik River and surrounding mountains on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015.

A magnificent summit that looms over the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Pioneer Peak is one of the more accessible 6,000-foot-plus peaks in the Chugach Mountains. Don't mistake accessibility for ease, however. The elevation gain and hike length, about 12 miles round trip, can turn your knees into rubber over the course of 10-14 hours. But for any hiker ready to graduate from Flattop, Pioneer is a next logical step, though a big one.

Pioneer Peak's south summit, at an elevation of 6,398 feet, isn't visible until about 3 miles up the Pioneer Ridge Trail.

The hike up Pioneer Peak can be divided into two distinct segments. First is the 4.5-mile Pioneer Ridge Trail, which winds through dense forest — the 10,000-foot distance marker in particular seems to mark "Jurassic Park" territory -- before the terrain opens up around the 11,000-foot distance marker. Breathtaking, wide-open views of the Knik River and Knik Glacier await those who managed to slog to the first picnic table along the trail, near the 11,600-foot distance marker. If there's a crowd at the first picnic table, continue uphill for a bit to reach a second picnic table with more privacy.

A flat clearing with a third picnic table supported by stacked rocks marks the top of the Pioneer Ridge Trail, elevation 5,300 feet. For hikers planning their trip up Pioneer as an overnight, this would be an excellent spot to set up camp. For ambitious day hikers, this is where you can catch your breath and celebrate reaching the top of the Pioneer Ridge Trail as you eyeball your next goal: the peak itself.

READ MORE: At more than 6,000 feet, Pioneer Peak a punishing but worthwhile hike