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Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska)

Coordinates: 61°04′41″N 149°49′25″W / 61.0780556°N 149.8236111°W / 61.0780556; -149.8236111
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Rabbit Creek
The headwaters of Rabbit Creek at Rabbit Lake, with North and South Suicide Peaks in the background
Anchorage Watersheds with Rabbit Creek and Little Rabbit Creek in green and pink, respectively
Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska) is located in Alaska
Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska)
Location of the mouth of Rabbit Creek in Alaska
Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska) is located in Anchorage
Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska)
Rabbit Creek (Anchorage, Alaska) (Anchorage)
Native nameGgeh Betnu (Tanaina)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
MunicipalityAnchorage
Physical characteristics
SourceRabbit Lake
 • locationChugach Mountains
 • coordinates61°02′31″N 149°35′08″W / 61.0419444°N 149.5855556°W / 61.0419444; -149.5855556
 • elevation3,153 ft (961 m)
MouthTurnagain Arm, Anchorage
 • coordinates
61°04′41″N 149°49′25″W / 61.0780556°N 149.8236111°W / 61.0780556; -149.8236111
 • elevation
13 ft (4.0 m)
Length15 mi (24 km)
Discharge 
 • locationTurnagain Arm
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftLittle Rabbit Creek

Rabbit Creek is one of several streams that flow through the city of Anchorage, Alaska. It runs for 15 miles from the Chugach Mountains to Turnagain Arm.[1] Before English-speaking settlers arrived in Anchorage, the Dena'ina called the creek "Ggeh Betnu."[2]

Course

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The headwaters of Rabbit Creek originate at 3,153 ft (961 m) at Rabbit Lake, a 75-acre (0.30 km2) alpine lake at the base of [3]North Yuyanq' Ch'ex and [4]South Yuyanq' Ch'ex.[5] Rabbit Lake is a popular hiking destination and can be reached via either the Rabbit Lake Trail or the neighboring McHugh Creek drainage. The creek then descends from the Chugach Mountains and flows west through residential areas and green spaces including Griffin Park. Near its mouth at Potter Marsh it receives a tributary from Little Rabbit Creek, which drains the hillside just south of the main creek channel. It then flows southwest under the Seward Highway and empties into Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet.

Recreation

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A well-traversed 4.4-mile hiking trail begins at Canyon Road and follows the upper stretch of Rabbit Creek through the Chugach Mountains to Rabbit Lake.[6][7][8][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "GNIS Detail, Rabbit Creek". US Geological Survey.
  2. ^ Kari, James (2007). Shem Pete's Alaska: The Territory of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena'ina. University of Alaska Press.
  3. ^ "U.S Board of Geographic Names".
  4. ^ "Offensive Peaks get new Dena'ina names".
  5. ^ "GNIS Detail, Rabbit Lake". US Geological Survey.
  6. ^ "Guide to Rabbit and McHugh Lake Trails" (PDF). Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
  7. ^ "Hikes Near Anchorage that are Well Worth the Effort". Anchorage Daily News.
  8. ^ "HEADLAMP: Not exactly killing yourself: Hiking North and South Suicide". Anchorage Press.
  9. ^ "Rabbit Creek Trail to Rabbit Lake". Alaska.org.