The Historic Iditarod Trail or Crow Pass Trail

The section of the Historic Iditarod Trail, between the Eagle River Nature Center and Girdwood, was formerly used as a transportation and mail route between the villages of Portage and Knik. A roadhouse for weary travelers existed just below the current ford site after Raven Gorge. The trail was abandoned when the railway was completed in 1919 and reopened for hiking in 1971 by a Girl Scout trail crew.

Trailheads are at the Eagle River Nature Center, or
Parking area at Milk Creek, Mile 5 Crow Creek Road of the Chugach National Forest in Girdwood.

Popular Trail Spots along the Historic Iditarod Trail/Crow Pass:

Crow Pass Trailhead________ Mile 0.0/ 26.0

Monarch Mine_____________ Mile 2.5/ 23.5

USFS Cabin ______________Mile 3.5/ 22.5

Crow Pass________________ Mile 4.0/ 22.0

Clear Creek _______________Mile 6.0/ 20.0

Raven Gorge ______________Mile 7.0/ 19.0

Turbid Creek______________ Mile 9.5/ 17.5

Glacier Lake______________ Mile 12.2/ 13.7

Ford Site _________________Mile 13.0/ 13.0

Thunder Gorge ____________Mile 14.0/ 12.0 *

Twin Falls ________________Mile 16.5/ 9.5 *

Yakedeyak Creek___________ Mile 20.0/ 6.0

Icicle Creek ________________Mile 20.3/ 5.7 *

Heritage Falls ______________Mile 21.0/ 5.0 *

Dishwater Creek____________Mile 21.5/ 4.5

The Perch _________________Mile 22.0/ 4.0

Echo Bend _________________Mile 23.0/ 3.0 *

Rapids Camp_______________Mile 24.5/ 1.5 *

Nature Center_______________Mile 26.0/ 0.0

* = site with a metal fire gate

River Crossings: Midway through your trip there is a ford site on Eagle River. It is important to cross it as early in the day as you can.

Fires: Fires are allowed in designated firepits (see chart) and on river gravel bars ONLY! Obliterate gravel bars when you are finished.

Firearms: You are allowed to carry a weapon in Chugach State Park for protection of life and property. TARGET SHOOTING AND HARASSMENT OF ANIMALS IS PROHIBITED.

Bears: There are many bears throughout the park, both black and brown.

Pets: Wildlife and pets are not a good combination. If you decide to take your pets along with you, please keep them on a leash; it's safer for them and you. Bears and moose are throughout the park and are very protective of their young. Porcupines are also common, and can cause severe pain to pets.

Drinking Water: Clear and glacial streams are found all along this trail, but this doesn't maen that the water is safe. Giardia, a parasite that occurs in mammals, is becoming more and more prevalent in the back and high country. Boil or filter all water from streams and rivers.

Map: Stop by the Eagle River Nature Center for a complimentary copy of the Iditarod Trail. You can also pick up a good copy of the Trail in the "Anchorage and Vicinity" map found at most stores. USGS maps Anchorage A-6 and A-7 also covers the Trail. Carrying a good map while hiking the trail is STRONGLY recommended.

Crow Pass Cabin Reservations: Call the Chugach National Forest at 1(800) 280 -2267.

For More Information: See the February 1997 issue of Backpacker magazine for a story on hiking the Crow Pass Trail. The Story is titled "Solo with the Bears." A few other references include, but not limited to the following:

55 Ways to the Wilderness in SouthCentral Alaska by Helen Nienhueser and John Wolfe, Jr. The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA, $12.95, 1994.
Hiking Alaska by Dean Littlepage. Falcon Press Publishing Co., Billings, MT, $16.95, 1997.
Backpacking in the Nineties by Victoria Logue. Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham, AL, $14.95, 1995.

Trail Conditions (click to get here)  Note: This page should not be your only understanding of the trail. We strongly recommend that you call the Nature Center or Chugach State Park Headquarters to get current trail conditions and updates. Nature Center Phone Number