Kesugi Ridge Trail

Kesugi Ridge Trail
Denali seen from Kesugi Ridge Trail
Length	22 miles (35 km)
Location	Denali State Park
Trailheads	North: 62.8765°N 149.6842°W / 62.8765; -149.6842 South: 62.7305°N 150.0581°W / 62.7305; -150.0581
Use	Hiking, backpacking
Elevation gain/loss	2,800 feet (850 m) feet gain, north to south
Highest point	3,500 feet (1,100 m)
Lowest point	700 feet (210 m)
Difficulty	Difficult
Waymark	Cairns at rocky parts
Sights	Denali
Hazards	Bear, severe weather
Surface	Unpaved
Maintained by	Alaska State Parks

Kesugi Ridge Trail is a through hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, United States. Under favorable conditions visitors can see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.[1] The trail is 22 miles (35 km) long, but does not connect directly to a roadway. The Upper Troublesome Creek trail, Cascade trail, Ermine Hill trail and Little Coal Creek trail provide access to it from Parks Highway between mile 137.6 and mile 163.9.[1][2] It starts below the tree line and works it way up to the alpine tundra along the ridge, crossing hills and valleys with cairns marking the way in rocky areas.[3] This hike can be considered difficult because of the elevation gain, exposure to sudden changes in weather and of bear activity.[4] At times the presence of bear forces the closure of the trail. Other times it is closed because of flooding.

Gallery

• 
  Denali visible from the Kesugi Ridge Trail, July 2023
• 
  Cairn along Kesugi Ridge
• 
  Rock Formations along Kesugi Ridge

References

1. "Guide to K'esugi Ridge Trail System North" (PDF). Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
2. "Guide to Kesugi Rigdge Trail South" (PDF). Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
3. "Denali State Park". Denali Guidebook. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
4. "KESUGI RIDGE TRAIL BACKPACK". ALASKA.ORG. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-14.

External links

• Alaska State Trails Program
• Alaska Hike Search