Kesugi Ridge
Trail description:
With spectacular views of Denali (Mt McKinley) and the Alaska Range, Kesugi Ridge is often considered one of the best hikes in the state. The early portion of the trail heads uphill while making its way out of the surrounding forest. Several rock piles (known as cairnes) are placed along most of the trail as markers. After reaching the ridge top, the trail veers to the right and extends southward. Several small streams in this area can be used for water refilling. Eventually another trail (an optional path to start from) joins the main trail on the right near a small pond; just continue strait. Shortly afterwards, a very interesting section of the trail with eccentric rock formations is reached. After passing the rocky section, the trail begins it's first real decent, into a thick forest. Be especially alert for bears here. There are many small 2 x 4 wood planks along this portion of the trail to help hikers travel across wet patches of ground. After an hour or two, the trail rises out of the forest and onto large granite hilltops. Look for Skinny Lake on your left around this time. After passing the lake, the trail begins one of its toughest sections, up a steep hillside and back to the top of the ridge. From here the scenery will remain pretty much the same for the next 8 miles. Look for another small lake, "mini skinny". Shortly after passing this lake, the trail begins the final (and somewhat steep) descent. As the trail begins to level off, you'll come across a tangent trail (on the left) which leads to a lakeside campground. Head strait to reach the trail's end at the Byers Lake parking area; there will be an interesting suspension bridge crossing a small river beforehand.
Difficulty:
Not easy. A long trail with many ups and downs. The weather can also be pretty poor. Make sure to pack accordingly, and be prepared for at least 3 days of hiking beforehand.
Directions:
Take the Glen Highway north from Anchorage for roughly 50 miles, and follow the bend towards Wasilla. Continue west / northwest for a couple hours, past Talkeetna, until Denali State Park is reached. Look for the sign for a veteran's memorial (this is where the trail ends). Continue past it for about 15 miles, and you'll find the Little Coal Creek parking lot on the right, where the trail begins.
Additional Information:
Bring bug repellent! Bear protection is also recommended (I carry bear spray), as bears are numerous. Also, unlesss you're up for a bit of hitchiking, be sure to arrange a way to return to the trailhead beforehand.
Denali is the native athabaskan name for Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, at 20,320 feet above sea level. When measured from base to summit, and excluding oceanic mountains, it is also arguably the tallest mountain on earth, with roughly 18,000 feet of vertical rise.
The initial ascent to the ridge from Little Coal Creek Trailhead is somewhat strenuous.
Just before decending into the valley, there is a very interesting set of glacier-carved rock formations.
View of Skinney Lake after passing through much of the forested valley.
After climbing back up to the second ridge system, most of the trail consists of rolling tundra.
After making the steep decent, you'll eventually reach this interesting suspension bridge. Here's Derrall making his way across. The whole thing swings and sways as you walk over it.
The trail ends just beyond Byers Lake, seen here. This view of Denali is common; the mountain quite often creates it's own weather and pulls in clouds. On any given day, there is roughly a 33 percent chance of viewing the mountain; with the best time of day usually being later in the evenings.