McHugh/South Suicide Loop 20 Mile
Chugach Mountains
July 19
    Julie Udchachon
    Eliseo Marquez
    JP Ingenbrightsen
    Jeff Arndt
    Rob DeVelice
5 starters

This loop is a mix of about every terrain available.  There are sections of pavement, wood chip covered trail, manicured to brushy single track, cushioned tundra bushwhacking, and gnarly rock scrambling.  

The views are equally diverse and amazing.  The ascent from the start at McHugh Picnic Area has awe inspiring overlooks of Turnagain Arm, where, in 1778, Captain Cooks' ship Endeavor fought the 35 foot swirling tides.  Vistas of lakes and towering peaks surround the approach to South Suicide Peak.  The Turnagain Arm Trail section rolls though beautiful forests of birch, aspen, cottonwood, and spruce.

One of the participants, Julie Udchachon, had just won the 24 mile Crow Pass Crossing trail race two days before.  Julie later went on to win the Resurrection Pass 50 Miler in record time in August, and the Fairbanks Equinox Marathon in September.  Amazing!