After Denali, Seward is the most visited destination in Alaska. If you are coming to Alaska by air, a typical vacation package would have you stay two nights in Seward before heading north to Denali National Park. Of course you would enjoy full day trip into the Kenai Fjords National Park aboard a cruise boat, or take a full day Real Alaska Tour. But here is something very few visitors seldom do, hike to Lost Lake.
Trailhead to the Lost Lake hike is at Mile 5 on Seward Highway. I did this hike last weekend with my significant other, and we had a great time. I would rate this hike as easy to moderate. We hiked to the Lost Lake (since we got to the lake, we might as well call it Found Lake 
), and returned back on the same trail to the trailhead, hiking about 14 miles. At the lake, the trail connects with Primrose Trail, which terminates at Mile 17 on Seward Highway. You should do the full traverse, only if you have some form of transportation arranged to bring you back to your vehicle at the trailhead. Primrose trail is little difficult as well, I would grade it moderate to difficult, a reason we opted for little moderate Lost Lake Hike.
Hiking the Lost Lake trail from the trailhead, you will gradually gain in elevation hiking through dense spruce forest. Big trees, broad leaf ferns, and dense vegetation with moss hanging the branches of big tress makes you feel as if you are in the dense rain forest. Hiking about 2 miles through this dense forest, the trail meanders through a mountainside with meadows and brush. You would be in awe of the complete change in scenery with spectacular views of towering mountains on one side, and if you are hiking in the middle of July like we did, you will be greeted by meadows full of wild flowers. The trail stops gaining elevation about 4 miles in, and you will be hiking through subalpine area of wet meadows ever so gradually coming up an alpine ridge. About 6 miles into the trail, you will start seeing the Lost Lake amidst the background of rolling green meadows, wild tundra and distant mountains. From here it is a gradual descent for about a mile until you reach the lake. Smelling flowers and taking in scenery, we returned back the same way to the trailhead.
A bit of advice, forested area is a prime habitat of black bears, so always carry bear spray or bear bells with you and make noise. The trail is popular with both runners as well as bikers, so make sure to give them the way. Even though this is a popular trail, you will still feel like being out in the wild. That’s all folks, happy hiking and hope to see you on trail somewhere!
