Ermine Hill Trail

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		Last Updated: January 21, 2007
	Difficulty	Somewhat easy - some elevation gains but switch backed. Moderate if root stair is used.
	Connects With	Kesugi Ridge
	Miles One Way	3.1 A traverse can be made of any length (see below) and/or direction with Kesugi Ridge and the Upper Troublesome Creek Trail. There are various companies offering shuttles that can drop you off and pick you up at the various trailheads. Mountain Light Adventures, a guiding company that specializes in Denali State Park, will pick up your vehicle at your departing trailhead and drop it at any other trailhead you want. Expect to pay $40-$75 for whatever option you choose.
	Miles from Anchorage	Mile 156.4 on the Parks Highway.
	General Vicinity	Denali State Park
	Season	July to September

	Description	My original plan this year was to do Kesugi Ridge and add Upper Troublesome Creek for a 4 night/5 day trek. For the website, I was going to camp near the intersection of Kesugi Ridge and Ermine Hill and quickly head down to the highway and back up so I could give definitive information on the trail. However, the weather was horrible and instead I just did this as a day hike. Unfortunately, since it was a crappy day, I didn't get to see Denali (your chances are 30% on any give day - don't say I didn't warn you) but it was a nice pleasant hike nonetheless. For those who don't have the time, skill, and/or physical capabilities to do the whole Kesugi Ridge Trail, this is a great alternative. You still get to see Denali (fairly quickly, I might add) and at the end of the trail, you can explore the cool rock formations along the hills and along the Kesugi Trail before it descends down into the valley. The trail is relatively easy and would be a great hike to take the kids as I think most would get a kick out of playing around the rocks. *** Leslie Schwalm graciously let me publish her email on using the Ermine Hill Trail: Just a quick thank-you note for responding to my inquiry about a day-hike section of Kesugi Ridge Trail; you suggested going up Ermine Hill Trail and then exploring the ridge trail. We found Ermine Hill a wonderful trail. The switchbacks offered beautiful views of Denali, and a small lake on the valley floor in the distance hosted both Tundra swans and a mother grizzly and her two cubs. The trail was in good shape, although the bridge crossing one of the streams was under repair. (Also, there are some deep erosion cracks in the switchback section, suggesting there will need to be some maintenance in the not-too-distant future). As the trail rises above the timber line, Ermine Lake appears, and we found Arctic loons there, and watched a black bear crossing the ice fields up on the northern portion of the Kesugi Ridge trail. The rock formations were beautiful. Thanks for the suggestion! ***

	Important Information	Unless you're a serious "A" personality, I see no reason to shorten the trip by using the root stair shortcut. You only save a 1/2 mile and the potential for a slip and fall looks high. You'd have to do a lot of bushwhacking to actually get to the lake's shoreline for water. Bring an adequate supply. If you do get water from the lake, I would filter as there is a lot of algae growing in it. You could roundtrip this in a little over 2 hours but I would pack a lunch and plan on exploring time.

	Etc.	Byers Lake is a great campground but can be buggy.


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