The total elevation gain is 6,200 feet and elevation loss is 6,800 feet. Kesugi Ridge is located directly across the Parks Highway from Denali National Park. Nearly halfway, the Ermine Hill Trail comes in from the right (elevation 2,300 feet). There's also little shelter from inclement weather - something to keep in mind when pitching your tent for the evening. Any racer arriving thereafter must take the Ermine Hill Trail down to the Parks Highway (even if they’re one minute past the cutoff and were slowed by taking a bunch of pictures). What gives K'esugi Ridge its incredible views - extended periods of time in the alpine - also leaves campers and hikers exposed to wind and weather in the event of a large storm. When the weather is right, visitors can see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. This trail is the northernmost trail that provides access to Kesugi Ridge. Original Trail up K'esugi Ken Curry Ridge Trail 3.2 mi 5.1 km • 1,036' Up 315.8 m Up • 32' Down 9.88 m Down. Thomas Ritchie, 6:05:19; 15. Men will start first because they are slightly faster so there will be less passing than if the women went first. Message to Racers June 20 — Registration and COVID-19 Details, Message to Racers Aug. 3 — Mitigation Plan/Refunds & Deferrals, Message to Racers Aug. 16 — Transportation/Camping/Hydration, Message to Racers Aug. 17 — FB events page/Wave Starts, The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame and Healthy Futures program. Jan Tomsen, 6:25:12; 9. Andrew Dennis, 7:48:52; 32. Help us keep our trail information current. The Ermine Hill Trailhead is at Mile 156.5. Weekends are the busiest times. Racers need to be aware of wildlife and should not wear headphones. The post-race barbecue and awards ceremony were canceled. Cara Hesselbach, 9:05:43; 21. The 2020 Kesugi Ridge Traverse Trail Run 30 Miles had 56 total finishers. Male winning result was 4:19:39 and the female winning result was 5:37:06. Photo looks E. The trail levels out a mile W of K’esugi Mountain. There was a problem with your submission. Christy Pierce, 8:28:42; 19. It’s not possible to power-hike the full distance and make the cutoff; some running is necessary. The Kesugi Ridge Trail, an easy-to-navigate route just outside Denali National Park, no reservations or bushwhacking required. The new Kesugi Ken Campground (Mile 135.4) allows reservations for tent camping, RV camping and public use cabins. From the saddle, the trail very briefly climbs before descending again and crossing a broad, low valley. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Edit Blog Post. At the Little Coal Creek end of the ridge, the route crosses short boulder fields that require walking across uneven boulders that may be slippery … The point-to-point Kesugi Full Traverse starts at Little Coal Creek Trailhead and finishes at Byers Lake Campground. [citation needed]The trail is 36.2 miles (58.3 km) long. When the weather is right, visitors can see Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Past races have featured rain, snow, cold, and limited visibility. Be aware this is not a race for beginners. There are also many pullouts along the highway where camping is possible. During periods of clear weather, this route through Denali State Park offers similar terrain and scenery to Denali National Park - including unparalleled views of Denali (formerly Mt. Racers are asked not to arrive more than 40 minutes before their start. Wan­der through spruce and birch trees on the north side of the lake and enjoy big views, 2019 UPDATE: Trail, day use area, kayak tours & rentals, and pub­lic use cab­ins are open, but the main camp­ground will be tem­porar­i­ly closed begin­ning in 2019 due to the dan­ger posed by trees infest­ed with spruce-bark bee­tles. The Half Traverse is expected to return in 2021. Views of the Alaska Range and Denali are spectacular from many points along the trail. Sign up for the Full Traverse next year! 137 likes. Participants for each race must wear or carry the following gear: Windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, pants or tights, winter hat, gloves, sustenance and water bottle (or hydration device), and race bib. Photo looks W. K’esugi Ridge trail W of Pass 3500. Reviews. One other major change was the cancellation of the 15-mile Kesugi Ridge Half Traverse from Little Coal Creek to Ermine Hill, though race organizers hope to bring it back in 2021. This 27.5 mile through hike is a relaxing overnight backpacking trip. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. From the Little Coal Creek trailhead, there's a tough climb of more than 2,000 feet in the first four miles to access the ridgeline and the high point of this trail system. Jeff Young, 6:09:06; 16. State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Denali State Park, Starting Point: Little Coal Creek trailhead: 62.89223, -149.74754, Ermine Hill - K'esugi Ridge Trail Junction: 62.79459, -149.86834, Ermine Hill trailhead: 62.82752, -149.90431, Ending Point - Byers Lake Campground: 62.74535, -150.11820, Troublesome Creek trailhead: 62.63013, -150.22572. There is also the Curry Ridge Trail, which is two miles long and has several switchbacks, leading hikers to Lake 1787 (named for its elevation). Alec Kay, 8:06:23; 33. McKin­ley). Course conditions vary year-to-year. This trail is the northernmost trail that provides access to Kesugi Ridge. Registration filled in 30 minutes in 2019 prompting the implementation of a lottery. We wanted to get the full Kesugi ridge experience, so we didn’t think of taking the cutoff at the time; but, if I were to do it again, I would hike past where the two trails intersect, check out the rock formations, backtrack to the Ermine Hill trail and finish the hike. Lupe passed a couple of scenic small tarns. Hannah Lies, 7:10:10; 14. The Curry Ridge Connector will continue this work connecting to the existing K’esugi Ridge Trail around the point that it crosses Upper Troublesome Creek. Nate Boltz, 8:46:15; 36. Joshua Taylor, 5:44:10; 12. If you intend to leave the trail at the Ermine Hill trailhead, this is where you'll turn off. Mike Monterusso, 6:31:18; 20. K’esugi Mountain (R). This trail is often closed due to flood­ing as well as bear activ­i­ty for the safe­ty of its hik­ers. Yes, if they determine you are underprepared and unlikely to meet the cutoffs, they can turn you back at any time. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (Mile 133). In the past 49th State Brewing Co. has kept us well supplied! Low clouds and rain can obscure the views. It gently climbs 1100 feet up to the lower bench of Curry Ridge and provides access to the rolling tundra terrain of the Lake 1787 area. Kesugi ridge trail is a through hike in Denali national Park, Alaska, USA. Photos. Entrants will receive additional race details via email. Marek Kolendo, 7:26:22; 29. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. This is a popular trail for visitors and locals alike. Anne Fleetwood, 6:36:06; 10. During our week long trip to Alaska, I was most excited for the Kesugi Ridge Trail in Denali State Park. Travis McWhorter, 7:19:12; 28. Christopher Maus, 5:25:36; 9. Due to COVID-19, anyone who chooses not to participate (regardless of reason) will receive a cash refund ($60 of their $65 entry fee) or deferral to 2021. Briana Sullivan, 6:01:11; 6. Non-Alaskans will be required to follow state quarantine mandates. It took 3-4 years to put in the basic trail. This is one of four trails that lead to Kesu­gi Ridge. Car, train, or group tour. Jamie Solberg, 8:26:45; 18. Keep driving for another 15 miles and you’ll find a parking lot on the right-hand side of the highway called Little Coal … Contact: Race director Matias Saari at matiasmountain@gmail.com or cell phone 907-529-4178. The Kesugi Ridge HALF TRAVERSE (not held in 2020) course is about 14.2 miles and ends a short distance uphill from this junction at a rock formation called "The Doors." Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Clinics in downtown Anchorage, Midtown Anchorage and South Anchorage. See registration requirements below. If you're lucky and get a clear day, you can see Mount McKinley (Denali) without the hassle of Denali National Park's bus sys Keep your eyes and nose open for brown bears along troublesome creek. Consider bringing bear spray and know how to use it. Note: The 3.3 mile long Little Coal Creek Trail is the northernmost of several access routes to the K’esugi Ridge Trail in Denali State Park. Also, spectators are allowed to hand-off sustenance and drinks to racers. The Kesugi Ridge Half Traverse (not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic) starts at Little Coal Creek Trailhead and finishes just beyond the Ermine Hill Trail Junction. Kesugi Ridge (Curry Ridge) Trail is a 29.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Trapper Creek, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Bears and moose have been observed during the race. There are various companies offering shuttles that can drop you off and pick … No. No refunds are given; if race is canceled due to COVID-19, entries will be deferred to 2021. No obstacles. Racers must stay on trail and not travel overland or cut switchbacks. Its about a 12 miler or something to the ermine lake intersection. Located in Denali State Park, the Kesugi Ridge Traverse course starts at the Little Coal Creek Trailhead (Parks Highway Mile 163.9) and finishes 30 miles later at Byers Lake Campground (Mile 147). Guide to K’esugi Ridge Trail System North & Guide to Upper Troublesome Creek Trail for more information). Continue this direction for a couple hours, past Talkeetna, all the way to Denali State Park. ...where we reached the Kesugi Ridge Trail, part of a 35 mile-long north/south alpine ridge which is the backbone of the eastern half of the park. The Curry Ridge Trail is an out and back trail with slow but steady elevation gain to an incredible plateau with views of Denali and the Alaska range. The course ends in the Byers Lake Campground (elevation 800 feet) with food, drinks and awards. Photo Notes: These photos are from a July 4th trip to Kesugi Ridge with Yvonne, Isabelle, Bryn, Louis and Aven.We camped for two nights and endured temperatures in the 80s. 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