Difficulty

On June 8, Micah McGuire, added to this hike and rated it somewhat difficult- (see his other comments below)

Connects With

Miles One Way

Miles from
Anchorage

General Vicinity

Season

Description

On the good side, there are some terrific sights once you get to the river. Go at least six miles from the trailhead because that's when the scenery starts to get good. Another plus is the always good chance for wildlife viewing including bears, eagles, dall sheep, and a mess load of moose. If you can make it to the end, that's the best part; nice and open with a glacier and glacial lake nestled in the mountains.

AMENDED 4/20/03:
I just got back from 3 days of backpacking and I am definitely on the love side tonight.  Because of our unseasonably warm winter this year, the river was quite low. Subsequently, I was able to easily ford the river the 20-30 times necessary to beeline it to the end.  It was never more than a foot deep.  At the end of the trail (where the Crow Pass Trail starts),  I set my tent up with a spectacular view of Eagle Glacier.

It was a sunny 3 days and I was able to spend all morning the second day exploring around the glacier.  I was all set to do this the last time I visited in March of 2002, but I woke up to a snowstorm and had to hightail it out of there (see picture).  While the glacier is cool, the chasm, lake, and surrounding landscape is incredible.  You could spend an entire day getting to know it.

So my new review is: If you're going to do this trail, commit and go to the end.  You'll be glad you did.

Be warned: looking at the glacier from a distance gives the illusion that the glacier is hanging near the moraine.  There is a huge expanse between them.  Give yourself an hour to negotiate the rough landscape to get to the glacier proper.  Be very careful and plan ahead.  The smartest way seems to be to ridgeline it on the North side.

*****

The following is a contribution from Micah McGuire:

As a day hike, the round-trip length is grueling. As an overnighter, its much more reasonable. The trail follows the old Iditarod trail up Eagle River Valley until Glacier Lake, then deviates either over or around the lake (depending on the season). Access to the glacier is tricky business, with lots of steep moraines between the lake and the glacier. In winter, its best just to follow the frozen wash up to the glacier through the canyon. In the summer its best to approach from the north via the moraines. Be careful, this is one mean glacier at its terminus! Lots of deep crevasses and loose, crumbly seracs. This hike sees few people in the winter, but since it joins the Crow Pass hike, below the glacier lake is a zoo. Above the lake you may as well be on your own personal planet, I've seldom seen even a footprint from another person up there.

I suggest doing this hike in the winter, preferably after a big wind has blown away much of the snow, and following the river instead of the trail. You'll see so much more this way, and it is a more direct (and debatably easier) route. Just start at the Eagle River Nature Center and walk up the old Iditarod Trail until you get to Echo Bend camp, then walk along either the river bank or continue up the valley via the trail until you eventually get to the glacier lake. At this point, there is no trail, and you can either skirt the edges of the lake, or cross it if its frozen (preferable).

*****

On the down side, there are too many people and very little chance for solitude. Another minus is the really gross sections of the trail. Sometimes you’re bogged down in mud and towards the end, finding the trail can be quite difficult. The designated campsites are underneath the canopy so I usually wind up camping on the riverbed.  I'll probably get a lot of flak for this because there's a really nice nature center at the trailhead and there are a lot of dedicated people who help out at the place, so to them, I apologize. I have seen volunteers working on the trail and hopefully they'll have it back in shape soon. But for visitors, I wouldn't put this on top of my list for a backpack trip. You can do better. For people who live here, save it for the off season when you'll need it more.

A very popular hike is to combine this with Crow Pass where a car has been dropped off at the other end before the journey. The smart move is to start at the Crow Pass side, as the elevation would be mostly downhill if you do. 

Starting at the Nature Center are several short day hikes (perfect for kids). There is also a yurt (a circular dwelling mainly used in Mongolia) and a cabin on the trail for rent.  This is a great idea for families in the winter; less than 3 miles from the trailhead and the firewood is cut and ready to burn. Go to the website for details and availability.

Important Information

Except for the summer, be aware that there are hunters in the area.  

If you're going to camp on the riverbed, use some common sense on where you set up so that if heavy rains come, you won't be swept away.

There's a good chance that you will see bears here.  Make sure you are educated about bear safety.  

If you do the entire traverse with Crow Pass, be aware that midway you will have to ford the river where it is waist high and chilly (it may be lower or higher depending on when you do the hike and the previous rainfall).

*****
The following is a contribution from Micah McGuire:

Warning: Don't do it all in one day. That said, if you do, be sure to bring plenty of food. In the summer, bring a way to purify the water (unless you trust the melt at the bottom of the valley-some of the upper melt is probably cool, but I don't like drinking unpurified water near the river in summer, although the winter is fine). Its a bleeding long hike, so pack the moleskin, make sure the boots fit well, etc. And it tends to be a wet hike, even in the winter, so bring a couple pairs of socks. A mountain axe is invaluable for accessing the glacier itself.

*****

Etc.

If you have the time, it's worth it to go in and check out the center.  

For great information on winter camping, I recommend the book Winter Camping, 2nd Edition by Stephen Gorman (Appalachian Mountain Club Books) 1999.

The best way to hike this in the winter is to buy a cheap plastic sled and carry your stuff on it.  For details about how I built mine, go here.