Eklutna Lake

Eklutna Lake is a a fresh water lake situated between the Matanuska Valley and Anchorage, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains. Although it is the source of freshwater for the city of Anchorage, it is also a popular recreational spot. Camping, bike riding, hiking and much more is available around the lake.

This painting is based on a photo taken on a family trip to the lake during the late summer of 2023. We rented bikes and followed the trails around the shore of the lake, taking in not only the natural beauty of the lake, but enjoying the stillness of the area. We stopped several times for photos and just admiring the view, but what struck me the most was how quiet it was. 

I knew as soon as I looked at our photos later that evening that I had to paint at least one of the scenes we captured. This one, with the blooming Fireweed, caught my attention because of the beautiful colors of the Fireweed against the backdrop of the lake and mountains behind it. It reminds me of the beauty and stillness we experienced during that bike ride.

If you’re ever in the Anchorage area visiting, it’s worth taking a day, renting bikes and just exploring the area.