Kesugi Ridge Trail
| Kesugi Ridge Trail | |
|---|---|
 Denali seen from Kesugi Ridge Trail | |
| Length | 22 miles (35 km) |
| Location | Denali National Park |
| Trailheads | North: 62°52′35″N 149°41′03″W / 62.8765°N 149.6842°W South: 62°43′50″N 150°03′29″W / 62.7305°N 150.0581°W |
| Use | Hiking, backpacking |
| Elevation gain/loss | 2,800 feet (850 m) feet gain, north to south |
| Highest point | 3,500 feet (1,100 m) |
| Lowest point | 700 feet (210 m) |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Waymark | Cairns at rocky parts |
| Sights | Denali (Mt. McKinley) |
| Hazards | Bear, severe weather |
| Surface | Unpaved |
| Maintained by | Alaska State Parks |
Kesugi Ridge Trail is a through hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, United States. Under favorable conditions visitors can see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.[1] The trail is 22 miles (35 km) long, but does not connect directly to a roadway. The Upper Troublesome Creek trail, Cascade trail, Ermine Hill trail and Little Coal Creek trail provide access to it from Parks Highway between mile 137.6 and mile 163.9.[1][2] It starts below the tree line and works it way up to the alpine tundra along the ridge, crossing hills and valleys with cairns marking the way in rocky areas.[3] This hike can be considered difficult because of the elevation gain, exposure to sudden changes in weather and of bear activity. [4]At times the presence of bear forces the closure of the trail. Other times it is closed because of flooding.
The different starting/ending points allow hikers to tailor their trip. Visitors can check with the Park to ensure that the Troublesome Creek Trail-head is not closed for flooding, which is a common occurrence in the summer.[citation needed] The Ermine Hil trailhead offers a day hike of part of the Kesugi Ridge Trail on a fairly easy 6.2 mile round trip near rock formations and a small lake at the end of the trail. The Byers Lake Trail-head is located within Byers Lake Campground, a convenient ending or starting point.
Gallery[edit]
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Denali visible from the Kesugi Ridge Trail, July 2023 -
Cairn along Kesugi Ridge -
Rock Formations along Kesugi Ridge
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Guide to K'esugi Ridge Trail System North" (PDF). Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Guide to Kesugi Rigdge Trail South" (PDF). Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Denali State Park". Denali Guidebook. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ^ "KESUGI RIDGE TRAIL BACKPACK". ALASKA.ORG. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-14.