Current Trail Conditions
ALL TRAILS at the NATURE CENTER are HIKING/SKIING USE ONLY.
See exception below for Winter Fat Tire Access to the river corridor.
Trail Conditions for: Thursday, 7/23/2026
Trails are always open. Fee machine and trail maps to the left of the front door. Bathrooms/latrines located BEFORE the parking lot (brown building).
Rodak Trail: Great condition for hiking. Recent rain, so some puddles.
Albert Loop Trail: Mud and puddles from recent rain. Major flooding (see map below) has occurred on the section of Albert Loop that parallels Eagle River. USE THE BYPASS trail to avoid flooding (it is over the knees in places). Hikers are encouraged to use the Bypass Trail to avoid potential flooding on an older section of the Albert Loop, where river overflow may affect trail conditions. The bypass route is clearly signed. Beginning June 1, 2026, the ERNC trail crew will be working to improve the Bypass Trail. You may encounter crew members and equipment along the route during this time. The trail will remain open throughout the project. Please use caution around work areas, follow any posted instructions, and excuse the temporary work in progress as improvements are completed. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Historic Iditarod Trail/Crow Pass Trail (Nature Center Trailhead to Echo Bend only): Great hiking. Recent rain, so some puddles and mud. Once you pass the Yukla Yurt trail, the trail gets skinnier, rootier and rockier.
Dew Mound Trail: Good hiking. Recent rain, so some puddles and mud. Watch for orange trail markers on the trees to follow the trail.
Dew Mound Trail is skinnier, rootier, and rockier than our other trails.
Rapids Cutoff Trail: Good condition for hiking. Recent rain, so some puddles and mud.
Mountain Meadow Cutoff Trail: Good condition for hiking. Recent rain, so some puddles and mud.
Fat Tire Bike Eagle River Corridor Access: CLOSED for the season. Biking IS NOT PERMITTED on any ERNC trails during the summer months.
Dog owners: Please remember to keep your dog(s) on a leash on the Rodak Trail, Albert Loop Trail and the first mile of the Dew Mound Trail and Iditarod Trail. Please be responsible trail users and pickup after your dogs. Bags are available at the trail head sign at the ERNC.

Crow Pass Trail
7/23/2026 Trail Update: Current Conditions: Trails are WET and muddy, and all water levels remain high due to recent rainfall!
At the Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River water levels have dropped slightly but still running high. We had some significant flooding on our Albert Loop, so expect trail to possibly be washed out in places that it's close to the river (from the Eagle River ford site to the Nature Center).
You can monitor the NOAA river gauge on Eagle River here:
https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/erba2
But please note: This gauge is located at the bridge over the Glenn Highway, many miles downstream from the trail ford. It can provide a general indication of river levels, but it does not represent the actual conditions at the ford or other stream crossings on the trail.
If you choose to hike, use extreme caution at every water crossing. Expect higher-than-normal water levels and swift currents. If you are not comfortable crossing, turn around. There is no shame in making the safe decision.
Remember that a rescue, even on a day with good weather, can take hours to reach you. No hike is worth risking your life. Please make smart decisions, know your limits, and help keep yourself and rescuers safe!
Tomorrow, trail expert Pete Panarese will be giving a Crow Pass 101 talk at the Eagle River Nature Center, Friday, 7/24/26 @ 6:30pm. Free program, $5 parking fee.
Weekend forecast is looking like less rain, so water levels should come down. We'll update people if we get any new trail reports. Feel free to post below or DM us if you have any updates.
7/15/2026 Trail Report: We haven't had any reports the last week here at the Nature Center. With the recent rain, expect all water crossings to be high! Eagle River is definitely running high as observed from the Nature Center. Trails wills be muddy and overgrown vegetation wet
Heads up that Crow Pass Crossing is this Saturday (7/18/26). There will be 100+ racers on the trail. The Girdwood side/Crow Creek Trailhead will be busy Saturday AM and the Eagle River Nature Center parking lot AM/PM. All trails are ooen, but parking will be limited. You may want to hike elsewhere Saturday! Race start is 9am and we expect the first racers to finish at the Nature Center around 12pm. Good luck to all the racers!! Looks like it may be a soggy race
Keep in mind that periodic trail closures are still happening (see below) but the trail will be OPEN for the race.
7/3/2026 Trail Update: "Still some snow patches up by Raven glacier. Hike-able without spikes but use extreme caution when descending down from Raven Glacier. The trail is off camber and steep, one slip in the snow will send you down into the gully! Clear Creek, walked a little bit upstream to find a shallower (knee deep) place to cross. Trail overgrown from Clear Creek to Eagle River Ford Site. Eagle River ford site varied from knee deep to mid-thigh on 7/4/26 (5'6" person). Thunder Gorge crossing is swift and above the knee deep. Do NOT cross using the rope. This rope was rigged by an unknown person and has been found to be not reliable. Walk up or downstream to find a spot to cross. After Twin Falls, there is a rockslide. Keep a look-out for a hiker made bypass up above the cliff to avoid going through the slide area! Icicle creek bridge is washed out. There is a log that was passable, however it's right in front of a drop, so not the safest option. We followed the pink tags on trees to navigate where to cross (note: these pink tags are from an unknown source. Use caution and explore all options before crossing at any spot). Area is also very muddy/swampy. Rest of the trail is overgrown until Echo Bend. Last 3 miles to the Nature Center is in good shape."
These are reports from trail users. We cannot and do not guarantee trail conditions on any given day/time. Trail conditions change daily, especially the river depth at the ford site. Be prepared for anything from knee to waist deep. If you are not comfortable crossing, turn around and go back the way you came. You should be prepared for any kind of weather (rain, snow, sun, fog) and wildlife (bears/moose). Always carry a map for navigation, the trail is not marked. Trail condition contacts: Eagle River Nature Center 907-694-2108, Chugach National Forest 907-783-3242, or Chugach State Park 907-345-5014. Please check out the Crow Pass Trail Facebook page for more information and hiker posts:
Crow Pass Trail Facebook Page





