Elliott Highway
MP 0
| Fox
| The Elliott Highway intersects with the Steese Highway at MP 11 – you actually go straight at the intersection for the Elliott Highway, but the Steese Highway continues with a right turn.
The next gas after this intersection is at either MP 5.5 or MP 151.2 Manley Hot Springs. In 2018, sections of the road were in very poor condition. | Links: White Mountains Trail Condition Report
Downloads: Steese & Elliott Hwys Travel Guide - BLM
BLM Campgrounds Steese-Taylor-Elliott Highways
Steese Nat’l Conservation Area Map
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MP 10.8
| Olnes Pond / Lower Chatanika River SRA
| Access: West side of the highway, drive 1 mile and turn into the campground on the right. 12 campsites scattered around the perimeter of the pond. Some sites are private, some aren’t. Expect ORV traffic on trails and around the campground. I recommend hiking elsewhere, though it is allowed here since the trails are multi-use. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 65⁰ 04.927’ Long W 147⁰ 42.883’ Elevation 541’
Distance: Trails are short trails around pond to river Elevation Gain: Minimal Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 11.1
| Whitefish Campground / Lower Chatanika River SRA
| Access: Left side of the highway. Boat launch into river. Nice campground, 8 campsites. Some sites are private, some not. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 65⁰ 05.095’ Long W 147⁰ 43.670’ Elevation 499’ Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Downloads:
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MP 27.8
| Wickersham Dome Trailhead
| Access: Turn into to the parking area on the right side of road.
Lat N 65⁰ 10.665’ Long W 148⁰ 04.680’ Elevation 2188’
Distance: 3.5 miles to Wickersham Dome, approx. 8 miles to the “Summit,” approx. 21 miles to Beaver Creek, 5 mile loop ski trail. Also at this trailhead is Wickersham Creek Trail -- 7 miles to Lee’s cabin. See the “BLM White Mountains Brochure” download for a trails map and distance table. Elevation Gain: 1440’ to Wickersham Dome Difficulty: Easy-Moderate to Wickersham Dome Best Months: Year-round
Summit and Ski Loop Trails are non-motorized only. (There is snow machine access to White Mountain National Recreation Area System that leaves from this same parking area via Wickersham Creek Trail, next to the outhouse.) The first mile of the Wickersham Dome/Summit Trail to the top of the first dome is in good condition and is well worth the hike even if you don’t go any further. As you dip into a saddle, there may be muddy spots that aren’t too bad. In early spring to late June, hikers may find snow drifts still on the trail. At 1.7 miles you will reach a signed intersection; take a left to Wickersham Dome. At 2.6 mile there is an unmarked but well-defined “social trail” on the left that departs the main trail for the ridge and granite tors. The GPS Trail Map (see Downloads) follows this route up to the ridge at 2.8 miles. Past the tors to the right, there is no worn route, so hiking to the communications tower along the ridge is through uneven tundra. You will reach the tower and a 360 degree view at 3.4 miles. Though the GPS trail map shows traveling cross-country to meet up with the main trail after leaving the communications tower, I recommend either returning the way you came, or staying on the ridge a little further before meeting up with the main trail. Do not attempt this cross-country section without navigational skills and backcountry experience; walking through the moss, rocks, and holes is not easy and you want to make sure you don’t miss the main trail. If you continue along the Summit Trail, there are boardwalk sections in some of the muddy areas in saddles. In winter, beyond the junction with the Ski Loop Trail, the Summit Trail is not maintained. The trail is unmarked and usually covered with deep snow. Expect travel and route-finding to be moderate to difficult. The Ski Loop Trail is groomed periodically. Weather can come in rapidly here any time of year, and since you are on a ridge, you will want to carry a GPS and/or compass and be prepared for changing conditions. Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
White Mountains Trail Condition Report
Wickersham Dome Area Trails Conditions
Downloads: Steese & Elliott Hwys Travel Guide - BLM
BLM White Mountains - Winter Trails & Cabins
Cabin Reservations - White Mountains NRA
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MP 39
| Grapefruit Rocks
| Access: Turn right on the dirt road just past the overgrown MP 39 marker. There is a very small parking lot.
Distance: .4 miles plus short side trails to rocks Elevation Gain: 591’ Difficulty: Moderate, then strenuous Best Months: Summer, Fall
Primarily used by technical rock climbers to access the Rocks, the trail starts past the end of the parking lot, just to the right of a blank kiosk. The trail first skirts above the highway embankment, then heads straight up the mountain (no switchbacks), with side trails to various rock formations. Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links: Rock Climbing at Grapefruit Rocks
Grapefruit Rocks Trail Conditions
Downloads: Steese & Elliott Hwys Travel Guide - BLM
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MP 57.1
| Colorado Creek Trailhead
| Access: Turn right into the parking area.
Lat N 65⁰ 28.219’ Long W 148⁰ 16.041’ Elevation 614’
Distance: See download for distances of trail network Elevation Gain: Varies Difficulty: Varies Best Months: November to early April. Winter use only – extensive wetlands in summer
BLM maintains the trail system during the winter season, but trail conditions can change daily. Some trails can be difficult to follow in certain weather conditions. You should always be prepared to break trail. Thin ice, open leads, and overflow are common throughout the area and can create hazardous situations. Plan for cold weather, high winds, deep snow, and unexpected weather changes. Temperatures may be as much as 25⁰F colder than Fairbanks, especially on the creeks. For current conditions, call 907-474-2372. | Links: White Mountains Trail Condition Report
Colorado Creek Area Trails Conditions
Downloads: Steese & Elliott Hwys Travel Guide - BLM
BLM White Mountains - Winter Trails & Cabins
Cabin Reservations - White Mountains NRA
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MP 62.5 | Fred Blixt Cabin
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| Links:
Downloads: Steese & Elliott Hwys Travel Guide - BLM
BLM White Mountains - Winter Trails & Cabins
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MP 73.1
| Intersection Dalton Highway
| The Elliott Highway makes a sharp left hand turn here. Driving the Dalton Highway involves risks and challenges. There are no medical facilities, and few vehicle services between Fox and Deadhorse at Prudhoe Bay. Plan ahead by knowing where to find help and services, packing for emergencies, and stopping at information centers for updates. | Links: FAA Webcam Weather Conditions (Livengood)
Downloads: |
MP 151.2
| Manly Hot Springs
| Access: End of the road.
| Links:
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