Crow Pass Trailhead to Eagle River Nature Center

This section of the Historic Iditarod Trail was formerly used as a transportation and mail route between the villages of Portage and Knik.  A roadhouse for travelers existed just below the current ford site.  It is now a back country wilderness hiking trail that takes you through the heart of Chugach State Park and beautiful mountain scenery.

Hiking the entire trail is usually done in 2 to 3 days, though fit hikers can do the entire length in a day.  The record time is 3 hours and 20 minutes!  Allow at least 12 hours and bring extra clothing.  Most hikers start from the Crow Pass trailhead.  Although a steep climb to the pass, it's all down hill to the Eagle River Nature Center.  Hikers should be prepared for bear encounters, proper food storage, changing weather, water purification, and fording Eagle River at a well-marked site.  Winter travel is not recommended due to high avalanche danger.

Turn left at mile 90 on the Seward highway on Alyeska Road.  Head North for 1.5 miles and turn left on ___, a gravel road.  Continue for ___ miles to the end of the road.  Be sure not to block any driveways.

The trail travels up a steep 3.5 mile trail to the Crow Pass/Raven Glacier overlook.  Snow will stay in the pass until mid to late June.  At mile 1.7, the remains of the Monarch Mine can be explored.  It was a hard rock mine that operated from 1906-1948.  Reservations are required for use of the USFS cabin located at mile 3.0.  Call Chugach National Forest at 783-3242.