National Park Service Trail Creek Trail U.S. Department of the Interior

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve 

Access: Road access via the Nabesna 

Road, trailhead at mile 29.8 where Trail 

Creek fows across the road. There is not 

a parking lot at the trailhead - you must 

park on the side of the road. Do not park 

your vehicle within the creek drainage, as 

fash foods may occur. 

Distance: The maintained trail is about 6 miles one-way. Up to the pass (and the start of Lost Creek) is 

about 10 miles one-way. 

Time: 8-10 hours to go all the way up to the pass and back. Hikers can choose any distance that they want, 

to make a shorter hike. 

Maps: USGS Maps-Nabesna (C-5) 1:63,360; Nabesna 1:250,000 

Difculty: Easy to moderately difcult, due to walking in a rocky creek bed and climbing tundra hills. 

Highlights: Road access, spectacular scenery, alpine tundra, fowers, wildlife. Keep your eyes out for 

sheep, as this is a favorite area for them. 

Route: The Trail Creek trailhead is located at mile 29.8. The frst four miles follow the creekbed. Most 

hikers will fnd it necessary to cross several times, so be prepared to get your feet wet. A sometimes elusive 

ATV trail parallels the creek to climb over neighboring hills and along the vegetated benches. By staying to 

the east of the stream channel you may be able stay out of the creek most of the way. After four miles, you 

reach the mouth of Trail Creek Canyon. After two more miles, the canyon narrows considerably and a sign 

indicates the end of the ATV trail. The creek is confned by low gravel benches covered with a carpet of 

alpine vegetation. There are many nice camp spots above the eastern side of the creek. 

If you want to hike to the pass, the route follows the frst major side canyon (the fourth drainage on the 

eastern side of the canyon). For the next three to four miles, ascend towards the pass. Some hikers may 

generally follow the gravel river bed, but hiking along the high ground through the lush tundra provides 

spectacular panoramic views, marmot sightings, and wildfowers. Look carefully among the canyon walls 

for focks of Dall Sheep. The upper reaches of Trail Creek are very scenic and provide views of rugged 

Noyes Mountain, rock glaciers, and hardy alpine plants. 

Hazards: On warm summer days, the creek may be low in the early morning but rise several feet during the 

day. An easy morning ford may be impassable by the late afternoon. Also, the creek level can rise suddenly 

during and after rain storms. The lower 5-6 miles of Trail Creek is very rocky and can be a test of ankles & 

feet! Be prepared for areas of scrambling on scree slopes. Bears ARE present in this area. 

Notes: There are two creeks on the Nabesna road to drive across, Trail Creek and Lost Creek. Check 

current road conditions before starting out. This is a popular hunting destination, especially in August. 

Please be aware that ATV use is permitted on this trail. 

This hike can be extended into a 2-3 day backpacking loop route from the Trail Creek drainage to the Lost 

Creek drainage. Please see a park ranger for more details. 

Revised 3/2015 EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM 
Trail Creek Drainage 

Pass 

6000’ 

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM