It all started with my support bid for the Fireweed 400 (which is a long, LONG race by the way). My neck was literally on a swivel, looking from one mountain, to the next mountain, and wondering, sometimes aloud, which mountain was which. The obvious first one I laid name on - Gunsight Mt. near Sheep Lodge. It turned out to be a very straightforward walk up, although I did manage some unnecessary bushwacking for good measure...
Parking at the Nelchina/Knik/Chickaloon Trail System parking lot, I immediately saw the summit and some 4-wheeler trails to get started. That looked too easy, so instead, I decided to make my own loop and walk on an abandoned road for a while... This turned out to be bushwack time!
It became obvious that the abandoned road didn't have any trails coming off it, so nearing the end, I just said "screw it!" and into the bushes I went. Luckily, this 'shwacking was nowhere near that of Eklutna or Icicle creek, and I was soon above it and well on my way to the summit.
 |
| Above the 'shwack, climbing a big field, and looking back into the Chugach. |
Reaching the summit, I was in a mild state of disbelief that a 6400' mountain could be this easy! I guess that's how it is when you start at nearly 3200'! Gunsight is by far the easiest time I've had on a mountain this tall. The views of the Talkeetna range and central Chugach were unbeatable though, and reluctantly, I decided to leave them and head back down to the car.
 |
| Full 360 pano from the top! Full view here |
 |
| Looking back up the normal route. You can see Gunsight just peeking above the hill on the right... |
ROUTE STUFF
There really isn't much to be said. Don't follow the old road, go on the 4-wheeler trails. Eventually, the trails will disappear, but it's an obvious walk up a field with some very low brush.
