If you find yourself in Anchorage, taking the quick drive for this hike is an absolute must-do! South Fork Falls (also known as Barbara Falls) is about a 25 minute drive north of downtown Anchorage, and is a very easy addition to your Alaska itinerary. Here’s a chubby girl’s guide to hiking South Fork (Barbara) Falls!
At a Glance
Hiking South Fork (Barbara) falls is an easy out-and-back trail that follows the Eagle River out to a spectacular waterfall. The coolest part about Barbara Falls is that there are two options: an upper and a lower trail. The upper will – unsurprisingly – take you to the top of the falls, while the lower trail goes along the river to the base. Whichever trail you choose, it’s a quick hike. Each are about 1/2 mile (or 20-30 minutes) each way.
We visited in late-September and the weather was just turning. The day of our hike, the trails had some packed snow and ice. I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to hike either trail if the conditions were worse! I’d recommend sticking to the warmer months to do this hike.
Parking & Trailhead
At first glance, parking at the trailhead appears tricky since it’s on a residential street. However, it’s easier than it seems.
The trailhead is found by clicking here, right at the end of Ken Logan Circle. At the very end of the street, you’ll see several No Parking and Tow Away Zone signs. Don’t worry- you’re in the right spot! These signs only apply to the end of the street where the turnaround is. Circle back up the street just a bit and park on the right side of the road along the wooden fence. Here is a visual to help! Just make sure you pull off the road as far as you can. Police have actually been found here issuing tickets for those who park at the end, so don’t risk it.
To access the trailhead, make your way back to the end of the road. You’ll see a gate with Private Property signs, but access to the trail is allowed if you pass the gate and stay on the trail. Only about a 2-3 minute walk down this path, you’ll arrive at the River Bridge. It’s here where you have the choice between going to the top of the falls, or walking the path along the river to the base. We actually ended up doing both trails and found each to be uniquely incredible!
The trails to the falls are actually located on private property, but an agreement with the landowners allows public access on the trails. Please be respectful and stay on the trails!
Upper Hike
The upper hike is the easier of the two trails and will lead you up to a viewpoint of the falls.
The trail to the top of the falls is wide enough for a car, so there is plenty of room for people to pass or to take a break if needed. The grade is gradual, and really not steep at all. The trickiest part was there were a few trees down that crossed the entire path. I was not graceful at all navigating over those. The path is gravel and easy to navigate over. Once at the top, there is a small viewing area with a guardrail. There aren’t any benches, but there were a few rocks to sit down on if you choose. Once at the top, please stay behind the guardrail. After a period of rain or snow, it can get very slippery and it is a very steep drop down!
Tip: Don’t get lost like we did! At the fork immediately following the bridge, stay right! There is a small sign that we missed (pictured above). Going left will lead you nowhere down a long private driveway.
Lower Hike
While the upper hike is the more formal trail, it’s the lower hike that is the real star of the show!
The access to this trail is much more hidden, but once you find the trailhead you are set. Right before you cross the bridge (about 3-4 minutes from the parking area), there are a few natural steps down to the river. You can get a decent glimpse of the trail from this photo. As you’re approaching the bridge, they are on your right side directly before the first post of the bridge. The trail then follows the Eagle River for about a half mile to the base of the falls.
This trail requires more athleticism and balance, as it is less of a “trail” and more of a “clearing where a lot of people have walked”. After a period of rain or snow, it can get muddy and slick. There are times where you have to walk over roots, and even one small section where there is a rope to help bring you up a few steps over a tree. It’s there if you need it, but I grabbed onto the nearby trees for balance instead.
As you arrive to the falls, there are tons of rocks to walk on. You can get pretty close to the falls!
Tip: because of the mist, the rocks at the falls are VERY slippery. Be careful!
What to Wear
While your clothing choices would largely depend on the season and weather particularly on the day of your hike, there are some staples that are a given year-round.
I was able to do both the upper and lower trails in regular running sneakers. They were pretty new and had a decent tread, but there were still times that I found myself loosing my footing or wishing I had more sturdy footwear. If you have hiking shoes on hand, you might want to break them out for this one (especially if you plan to do the lower trail).
No matter the season, you’ll be much colder at the falls being sprayed by the mist. If you want to get close to the falls, I’d recommend a rain jacket or something else to keep you dry. I also wish I had brought a pair of thin gloves to use while fidgeting with my camera and phone. My hands were freezing! As a chubby gal, I never do a hike without leggings or compression shorts. They’re a must! I also didn’t feel a need for a sports bra on this hike as you can move pretty slowly along each trail.
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments