BLM Alaska: White Mountains National Recreation Area: Trail Conditions Update

White Mountains Trail Conditions Update

Last updated Thursday, February 2, 2012

General Remarks/Safety Alert

The Wickersham Dome Trailhead (Mile 28 Elliott Highway) has received about 25 inches of snow so far this season, with slightly less than that at the Colorado Creek Trailhead (Mile 57 Ellliott Highway). The upper Nome Creek snow gauge reports a snow depth of 19 inches.

The trail groomers were back in action this week after extremely cold weather sidelined them for much of January. The crew encountered lots of big snowdrifts while grooming the Lower Nome Creek, McKay Creek, and Bear Creek trails on Wednesday. The Trail Creek, Wickersham Creek, and Fossil Creek trails are scheduled for grooming before the weekend, but those visitors using the other White Mountains trails are likely to encounter extensive drifting in open areas. More detailed descriptions for each trail may be found below.

Remember to carry survival gear and be prepared for the unexpected, even during day trips. Bad weather or unexpected mishaps may prolong your trip or even mean spending a night on the trail. Also, be sure to leave a detailed trip plan with a friend or family member. A trip plan form (PDF/100 KB) is available on the Alaska State Troopers website.

Cabin Reservations and Information

For reservations and permits, visit the BLM office in Fairbanks (address below) or call the BLM Public Lands Information Office at (907) 474-2251. Cabins must be paid for in advance and the permit carried with you to the cabin. Trail shelters are free of charge and used on a first come, first served basis. Cabins may not have firewood present for the woodstove, so plan to carry some with you or cut some along the way. As a courtesy, replace the firewood that you use. Dog owners please remember to clean up after your dogs.

Detailed trail and cabin descriptions are available at the Bureau of Land Management Fairbanks District Office located at 1150 University Ave. in Fairbanks. A map of areas open to motorized vehicle use is also available.

Wickersham Dome Trailhead (Mile 28 Elliott Highway)

Summit Trail – This trail is open to non-motorized use only. A trail shelter, located at mile 8, is an enclosed cabin that is minimally furnished and does not have a wood stove. This trail has not been broken by BLM.

Ski Loop Trail – This trail is open to non-motorized use only. This trail has not been broken by BLM.

Wickersham Creek Trail – This trail is scheduled to be groomed Friday Feb. 3. There is some overflowing ice developing across the trail past the Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter. The crossing at Beaver Creek was passable but had some overflow on top of the ice in January.

Trail Creek Trail is scheduled to be groomed Thursday Feb. 2. Open areas on the ridges are likely to have considerable drifting. Earlier in the winter the trail crew rerouted a short section of the trail that crosses the slough to the north of Beaver Creek to avoid open water. Follow the tripods and trail markers to cross the slough.

Moose Creek Trail – This trail was groomed on Jan. 6. The trail is likely narrow and drifted.

Fossil Creek Trail – BLM may groom this trail on Friday Feb. 3 if time and conditions permit. The trail was in decent condition when last groomed on Jan. 12.

Fossil Gap Trail – BLM packed this trail on Jan. 12. The trail was in decent condition at that time. Expect areas of snowdrifts.

Cache Mountain Loop Trail – BLM finished breaking this trail on Dec. 19. Expect lots of drifting near the divide and difficult traveling. A couple of the stream crossings had a little water on them earlier in the winter.

Colorado Creek Trailhead (mile 57 Elliott Highway)

Colorado Creek Trail was groomed on Jan. 12 and was in good condition at that time. Expect lots of drifting on the upper part of the trail.

Big Bend Trail has not been broken by BLM trail crews this season.

Windy Creek Trail – This trail was groomed between Wolf Run Cabin and Windy Gap on Jan. 11. The trail was in good shape then, but there has likely been a lot of drifting in recent weeks. The trail crew may groom this trail on Friday Feb. 3 if time and conditions permit.

Fred Blixt Cabin (mile 62.5 Elliott Hwy.) – The driveway was plowed on Jan. 9. Cabin users should bring a supply of water, a cook stove and lantern, and firewood for warming.

McKay Creek Trailhead (mile 42 Steese Highway)

There are private driveways adjacent to the parking area. Take care that you do not block them.

McKay Creek Trail – A BLM trail crew groomed this trail to Cache Mtn. Cabin on Feb. 1. Conditions were good. Expect some drifting snow in the open areas and ridge tops. The Beaver Creek crossing was solid, but use caution when crossing the creek.

U.S.Creek Trailhead (mile 57 Steese Highway)

U.S. Creek Road is not maintained during the winter for vehicular traffic. However, the road provides a good route for snowmachining and dog mushing.

Lower Nome Creek Trail – BLM groomed this trail on Feb. 1. Conditions are good but expected drifted snow in open areas.

Bear Creek Trail – BLM groomed this trail to Richards Cabin on Feb. 1. Conditions are good. Expect drifted snow in open areas. Use caution when crossing Champion Creek and Bear Creek.