About this Website:

I had the idea for an Alaska Trails membership website because of sketchy information “out there” on the internet and other sources.  Often I was frustrated because the directions to the trailhead were incorrect, poor, or non-existent.  So I started finding and verifying directions, and checking basic information such as distances, elevation gains, and routes. 

Some websites claim to have people verifying their information, but one website actually maps the trail going 6.1 miles in the exact opposite direction of the actual trail!  Once a single website gets the information incorrect, it propagates – for example, I found multiple websites that had Curry Ridge Trail and K’esugi Ridge Trail as the same trail with interchangeable names, when in fact they are two separate and unconnected trails.   I discovered that so much information is incorrect (even from government agencies), that I don’t trust anything I haven’t personally verified.

When I’ve talked to hikers about this Alaska Trails project, a question I sometimes get is “Isn’t this all on the internet?”  The answer is that much of it is, but aside from much of it being incorrect, it’s not organized/synthesized by location.  It took thousands of hours of research and in-person visits to put together this information.  I’ve provided the information for you in one convenient location, but since I don’t want to sell ads, a membership website finances this project.  The annual fee ensures you have the most updated information, links, downloads, and trail conditions available.

How is Alaska Trails organized, and what’s in it?

This website is organized by Alaska highway/road, so you can find trails and public campgrounds based on where you are planning on traveling, rather than finding a trail on the internet and figuring out where it’s located, and then trying to figure out what else might be nearby (see sample road logs in the left menu).

You’ll also find information on Alaska downhill and cross-country ski areas, biking trails, visitor centers/ranger stations, public use cabins, hut systems, boat launches, river float trips, rest stops, and hostels.  You’ll know where to get gas in remote locations, and where to take showers and dump RV tanks.  I’ve included Alaska FAA webcams, State of Alaska road weather cams, avalanche condition report websites (so you can check before you go), wildlife viewing locations, and GPS coordinates.  Symbols are used so you can get information at a glance.  Users can post their own experiences and assessment of trail conditions.  Photos will be added over time.

I’ve included thousands of links and Alaska Trail information downloads, which can’t be included in a print version due to the volume of information.  Many brochures had to be obtained by personally visiting a site, or by contacting the relevant agency to get copies.  Over time, I am adding my own GPS Alaska Trail Map downloads as well, with topography/aerial imaging, elevation profiles, and distances.

There is also a quick-reference Alaska Trails print version for use while traveling, since internet/cell access is non-existent or limited in much of Alaska.  You can get it here.  It does not include GPS coordinates for trailheads and facilities that are found on the website, or the hundreds of links and downloads. The website will be updated annually, whereas the print quick-reference guide will be updated infrequently.

Browsers:  This website displays best in IE.  With Chrome, there is no bottom slider bar, so you may need to use your arrow key to scroll over to the links and downloads on the right side of the page, depending on your screen size, OR reduce the “zoom” of your screen in the settings found by clicking on the 3 vertical dots in the upper-right corner.  With Firefox, the menu scroll bar does not work well, but can be controlled by an extent with the arrow buttons.  None of these “fixes” are needed in IE.  I have no control over the appearance in browsers/screens.

Highways/Roads:  Yes, our Alaskan highways do have numbers.  I doubt many Alaskans could tell you what they are — we refer to them by name; so that is the convention I use.

Mileposts:  Mileposts refer to the green markers on the side of the highway that indicate how many miles you are from the highway starting point.  (They originally used to be wood posts, but are now metal in most places).  Because of highway realignments, these “miles” can now be as short as .4 “miles,” but are often .6 to .8 mile “miles.”  I had to pick a convention, so I decided to take my mileages from the last (lowest number) milepost.  Keep in mind that they may not exactly match the mileage-counter on your vehicle.  Sometimes a milepost was missing and I had to measure from the previous milepost, and that milepost may have since been replaced.  Start looking for directional signs when you get in the vicinity of the indicated mileage.  If I have verified the mileage, there will be a check-mark.  It was not always possible to verify mileages because of too many missing mileposts, such as on the road to McCarthy.

Intersections are marked with an intersection symbol.    This indicates that you need to turn off and follow the directions.  If there is a link on the intersection name, the intersecting highway/road has its own section on this website.

Dogs on Trails:  Most trails in Alaska allow dogs.  Sometimes they have to be on a leash, sometimes just under voice command.  If your dog is not on a leash on an allowed trail, please don’t allow it to chase wildlife!  You may think it is harmless if your dog doesn’t actually catch the critter, but the animal is expending needed calories for getting through the winter.  Most animals have to eat as much as they can in summer and store those calories.  Your dog chasing an animal can result in its death from starvation months later. If dogs are not allowed on a trail, a symbol will indicate that.

Bears, Moose, & Other Wildlife:  A good rule of thumb is to avoid approaching wildlife.  You are more likely to be attacked by a moose than a bear.  Most people mauled by bears were moving quickly – either running or biking.  Plus keep it in perspective – you are much more likely to be injured or killed in your car driving to the trailhead than being mauled by a bear.  Bears will normally run off, whereas moose are more likely to charge.  Read about avoiding bear encounters here, and moose encounters here.

Switchbacks and Off-Trail:  Switchbacks not only make a climb or descent more gradual, they prevent erosion.  If you cut switchbacks, water will run down the trail and cause the trail to disintegrate.  In alpine areas, ever widening trails are unsightly and cause damage that takes years to repair, since alpine plants grow so slowly.  Please stay on the trail!

Above all, be safe and have fun exploring Alaska Trails!