Trail Conditions for: Friday, 9/4/2026

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.

Albert Loop Trail:  CLOSED as of 8/10/2026 until further notice.  This is a seasonal Alaska State Parks closure due to the salmon run and bear activity.  Closure is strictly enforced. All other trails are open.  Trail typically reopens in early November. 

Historic Iditarod Trail/Crow Pass Trail (Nature Center Trailhead to Echo Bend only):  Great hiking.  Once you pass the Yukla Yurt trail, the trail gets skinnier, rootier and rockier.
​
Dew Mound Trail:  Good hiking.  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. 

Mountain Meadow Cutoff Trail:  Good condition for hiking.

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

9/4/2026 Trail Update: New Trail Alert – "Chutes & Ladders" Reroute

Trail contractor Interior Trails LLC has completed a .7-mile reroute midway up the Crow Pass Trail in Chugach State Park. Construction hazards are over, and the new route is officially open!

Starting from the Eagle River Nature Center, the reroute begins at approx. mile 8, shortly upstream of Twin Falls. It replaces a badly degraded section of trail that had a major washout, a creek running down the trail, heavy brush, and extensive beaver activity/ponding.

The new route ascends through forest, tundra, and rocky ribs with wide open views of Eagle River and surrounding alpine terrain. The trail passes through some unique natural rock features, with steep, technical sections that give a nod to the infamous ladder.

The reroute is obvious and easy to follow and adds less than .10 mile to the original route. It gains and loses approximately 70' elevation in a steady climb/descent, replacing ups and downs of 135' on the original route. The old trail will not receive future maintenance.

This project was made possible by funding and support from Alaska State Parks, cooperation with the Eagle River Nature Center, advocacy by Alaska Trails, and work by Interior Trails LLC.

Otherwise, no recent trail reports!  This time of year, expect to see some snow up in the pass.  The trail is not marked, so if it's snow covered it can be hard to follow!  Eagle River water levels tend to be lower this time of year (just be aware of any significant rain, this can cause the river levels to rise rapidly.  Remember the daylight hours are decreasing (pack a headlamp)!

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.

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