Slaughter Ridge Hike Recap | TrailMates Take On Rain, Mud & Mountain Magic
- Sara Burda
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
Rain Jackets, Laughs, and a Saturday Start
Saturday, September 20th, wasn’t a bluebird day in Cooper Landing. Nope—it was misty, rainy, and a little bit wild. But honestly? That just made it better.
At 11:30 a.m., hike leader Kayla rallied the group at the trailhead. Spirits were high, rain jackets zipped, snacks stashed. And here’s the best part—two people were joining TrailMates for the very first time! Talk about jumping right into the deep end (or should we say, the mud puddles).
The trail stats: 4.6 miles, 2,700 ft gain. Translation? A short but spicy climb. Slaughter Ridge doesn’t mess around.
Up, Up, and… Together!
Usually on tougher trails, the group spreads out—some power to the top, others hang back and find their pace. Not this time. Somehow, some way, our crew hiked up AND down as one big squad.
That meant encouragement at every turn—waiting at switchbacks, offering a hand through slick spots, and making sure no one felt left behind. For our two first-timers, that support was everything; they weren’t just “joining a hike,” they were immediately part of the crew. By the time we reached the ridge, it didn’t feel like individual victories—it felt like one big group accomplishment. The smiles at the top said it all: we did this, together.
Every pause turned into a mini social. Every water break, a group selfie. Rain might have been falling, but the energy was absolutely soaring.
“I thought the rain would ruin the hike… but it actually made it unforgettable.”
The Ridge: Cloudy, Moody, and Worth It
Slaughter Ridge is famous for its sweeping views of Kenai Lake and the Cooper Valley. On a sunny day, it’s pure postcard material. On this day? It was moody, misty, and almost magical.
The clouds swirled around us, giving little sneak peeks of the turquoise lake below. Every time the wind shifted, it felt like nature pulling back a curtain for us. Cameras were out, snacks were shared, and somehow—despite the chill—no one wanted to rush back down.
It was summed it up perfectly:
“These are the hikes that stick with you. Rain-soaked, tough, and so full of connection.”
Downhill = More Laughs, More Mud
If you thought the climb was entertaining, the descent was its own comedy show. Slippery rocks? Check. Surprise slides? Oh yes. Someone even suggested we should’ve brought trash bags to ride the mud down.
But here’s the thing—we never lost momentum. Instead of grumbling about soggy shoes, we leaned in, laughed harder, and cheered each other through the sketchier spots.
By the time we hit the parking lot, we weren’t just hikers. We were muddy, tired, smiling teammates.
Why This Hike Felt Different
✨ Two first-timers who left feeling like family.
✨ A whole group that stayed side by side the entire way.
✨ Rain and mud that somehow made the day even better.
This wasn’t just about checking off a trail. It was about proving—again—that community changes the adventure.
Come Hike With Us!
Want in on the fun? Whether it’s your first hike or your fiftieth, TrailMates makes sure you never hit the trail alone. Check out our upcoming hikes here:👉 TrailMates Events Page
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