Photos of Backpacking

the Kesugi Ridge Trail

in Alaska's Denali State Park

Back to Kesugi State Park description page

This backpack was part of a 2 week Sierra Club Alaska Outing.

 

 

 

This backpack was about 18 miles in three days and began with an elevation gain of 1800 feet to get above treeline. The trail then roller-coastered up and down over small rises but three times dropped hundreds of feet to cross drainages and then went back up to Kesugi Ridge. The trail is rated as "Difficult" in the Kesugi State Park brochure. We began at the Ermine Hill Trailhead and headed north to the end, but there are several more access trailheads for longer trips.

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing the boulder fields required careful foot placement and good balance with your pack on your back, and there were 3 or 4 of these areas. Those who had hiking poles were glad for the extra support they provided, but care had to be taken not to get them wedged between boulders.

 

 

 

 

 

On our final day, we had to do the downhill and the boulder crossings in a light rain, making things more dangerous, so everyone is taking great care here. As you notice from these 2 downhill photos, switchbacks are not utilized. In fact, except for brief switchbacks near the 2 trailheads, the trail generally went straight up or down the mountainsides.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the rewards of all the uphill hiking is getting to sleep on the tundra which serves as a very soft, comfortable mattress. The views from Kesugi Ridge to the west reveal a side view of the magnificent Mt. McKinley -- or at least we would have had the views except for smoke from all the wildfires burning in Alaska during the summer of 2004. Over 125 fires had already burned 6 million acres and many were still burning when we were there in late August/early September .

 

 

 

Occasionally a boulder is in a fortuitous location and can serve as a table. Nick (our leader), Don, Mary, Joanne, and Maxine prepare supper on our kitchen table.