National Park Service Dixie Pass U.S. Department of the Interior

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve 

Access: Trailhead is accessed from the Kotsina Rd, which 

is located of of the McCarthy Rd. Kotsina Rd turn-of is 

located at mile 14.5 of the McCarthy Rd, on the north side of 

the road. 

Distance: Approximately 8-9 miles one-way, 16-18 miles 

round-trip 

Time: 3 days or more 

Maps: USGS Maps-Valdez (C-1); McCarthy (C-8) 1:63,360; 

Valdez , McCarthy 1:250,000 

Difculty: Moderately strenuous with multiple creek crossings. Requires route fnding and moderate trip-planning. 

Highlights: Accessible by road, alpine tundra, great views 

Route: At mile 14.5 along the McCarthy road, turn north across from the Strelna airstrip onto the road 

heading towards the Kotsina and Kuskulana valley. Medium to high clearance vehicles are recommended 

on this one-lane road. The frst two miles of road pass through non-federal land and continue onto Native 

Corporation land. After passing the Nugget Creek Trailhead, turn into the small clearing on the left side of 

the road at 3.8 miles from the McCarthy road turnof. If no parking is available you may need to park at the 

McCarthy Road and walk to the trailhead. The trail begins on the right side of the road. 

For the frst 2 miles, the trail follows a wooded bench before dropping down to Strelna Creek. After 

reaching Strelna Creek, stay on the west side of the creek for approximately 2 miles until reaching the 

confuence of Strelna Creek and the creek from Dixie Pass from the northeast. A good campsite is located 

at the confuence. Cross Strelna Creek above the confuence. Follow a series of trails along the (right) 

tributary from Dixie Pass. After about 1/2 mile, the trail turns into a route. Follow along the creek, crossing 

several times on your way to the second confuence. 

At the second confuence follow the west (left) fork. You will come to a canyon that may be impassable 

with high water. If so, you will need to hike up and around it on either side of the creek. If you wade up the 

canyon, a scramble over a large boulder is necessary to avoid a deep pool. 

At the third confuence, cross to the confuence of the two creeks where you will fnd a trail switch-backing 

up and then traversing the hillside, before dropping to near the valley bottom. Then pick your way directly 

cross country up to the pass or climb up to capture a traversing animal trail to the pass. This high trail 

crosses a pass and leaves the explorer to route-fnd into the steep east branch of the third confuence. 

Return via the same route. 

Hazards: Travel in this area should be done only by experienced parties who are able to read and follow 

a map and compass. This is a remote area and the hiking can be strenuous. Help is not readily available. 

Bears may be present anywhere along this route. Precautions should be taken to avoid encounters with 

bears. Packing out all excess food and garbage will prevent habituation of wildlife. Stream crossings may 

present difculties and dangers due to water volume and velocity that vary drastically according to the 

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season, time of day and weather conditions. Temperatures of most creeks are just above freezing, even in 

mid-summer. A frm understanding of glacial creek and river crossing is essential. Be prepared for all types 

of weather conditions, including rain and snow in the higher elevations. Summertime brings snow to the 

saddle of Dixie Pass. Use extreme caution when crossing snow felds as they may conceal drainage systems 

underneath. 

Notes: Please call the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center at (907) 822-7250 for assistance with trip-planning. 

Dixie Pass is an obvious and natural corridor for wildlife. The hiker may fnd and lose the game trails many 

times before the trip is completed. Proper food storage is required. Bear Resistant Food Containers are 

available from park visitor centers. 

Campsites are found along Strelna Creek and the Dixie Pass drainage on sand/gravel bars. The saddle of 

Dixie Pass has room for 3 or 4 tents. However, Dixie Pass is a thru-way for bear and other wildlife and 

camping is not advised. Hikers may want to camp and day hike from the confuence 1 mile below the 

walled-in canyon. 

Water is easily accessible for most of the trip except for the last mile or so up to the pass. At Dixie Pass , it 

may be possible to collect water from snow feld runof (snow pack dependent). 

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