O’Brien to Haley Creek 

Chitina, AK 

Chitina 

Haley 

Creek 

O’Brien 

Creek 

This is a privately maintained trail. It is not 

managed by the National Park Service. 

Access: The trailhead begins at O’Brien 

Creek. To reach O’Brien Creek follow the 

Edgerton Highway to the town of Chitina. 

Drive through Chitina and look for the 

O’Brian Creek road sign. Take a right and 

go about 21⁄2 miles until you reach O’Brien 

Creek where parking is available. The Haley 

Creek Trail begins from this parking area. 

Distance: Approximately 10 miles round 

trip from O’Brien Creek to Haley Creek 

Time: About 3-5 hours round trip 

Difculty: Easy to moderate, with easy 

stream crossings 

Highlights: Great views of the Copper River, historical sites and structures, campsites, 

and interesting geologic formations. This is 

also a nice route for mountain biking. 

Route: This trail follows the old right of 

way of the historic Copper River and Northwestern Railway which operated from 1911 

to 1938 to serve the Kennecott copper mines. The trail begins at the O’Brien Creek Bridge and continues 

for about fve miles until it reaches Haley Creek. The trail follows the banks of the Copper River, providing 

views of the river and Wood Canyon. The majority of the trail is fat with a few hills and easy stream crossings. Old railroad trestles are visible in some places. The trail passes through a historic railroad tunnel. Mile 

markers are sporadically placed along the trail. Haley Creek is located just past mile marker 7.14. There are 

several locations suitable for camping. There is a nice gravel beach near the confuence of Haley Creek and 

the Copper River. The railbed goes10 more miles to Uranatina River, which is impassable. 

Hazards: One mile after O’Brien Creek is a Road Closed sign, warning of possible hazards to anyone who 

continues past this point. The Department of Transportation no longer maintains the road. Proceed at 

your own risk. 

Notes: This trail is heavily used by ATVs. Be aware that private property borders the trail in many places. 

Please be respectful of these land owners’ rights and property. 

Revised 3/2015 EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM 
 

5 Mile Trail 

Chitina, AK 

This is a privately maintained 

trail. It is not managed by the 

National Park Service. 

Access: Trail begins fve miles 

from Chitina at Mile 27.8 on Chitina 

the Edgerton Highway, near the Airport 

Chitina airport. Parking is either 

right of the road or just up the 

trail. 

Distance: Approximately 16 

miles round trip 

Time: Allow 4-5 hours to reach 

the top and more time for exploring 

Difculty: Strenuous but straightforward. Total elevation gain of 3,500 feet. 

Highlights: Easy roadside access, wide clear ATV trail, spectacular scenery, panoramic views of mountains, the Copper River, and often wildlife. A scenic waterfall, stream, and lake can be seen right of the trail 

about a mile above tree line. Wildfowers are abundant. During the late summer and early fall, the berries 

are abundant along the trail. Blueberries are a bonus for making it above tree line. Once you are above tree 

line, this area is a great place to view wildlife, especially bears. 

Route: The trail proceeds in a southwest direction up the mountain. This is an ATV trail that is very easy 

to walk. The frst four miles are through trees with some nice views of the Copper River below. Once above 

treeline there are endless opportunities for venturing of the trail to explore mountains, lakes, and creeks. 

The trail continues to an old mine site. The Tiger Mine claim was discovered in 1963 and the area was 

mined for gold and other related minerals from 1987 to 1994. However, the mine is not very prominent and 

only one of the features of this trail. It is possible to travel through the high alpine tundra and hike your own 

route. There are many places to camp. 

Hazards: Bears are frequently sighted in this area. 

Notes: If camping overnight it is necessary to have a Bear Resistant Food Container (BRFC) for food storage. These can be obtained at any visitor center in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. There are several small 

lakes and creeks that are right of the trail, making water plentiful once you are above tree line. This trail is 

closed to ATVs and pack animals from July 26th through September 30th, due to the hunting season. 

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