Crow Pass Trail

07/23/2026

7/23/2026 Trail Update: 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.

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.

Notice (7/23): There is a known issue affecting flood inundation maps for Alaska. Maps for Alaska, if available, should not be used until further notice. Restoration time is unknown. Updates to follow.Flood Inundation Mapping services are now available for 60% of the U.S. population here. Additional...

07/17/2026

Crow Pass Crossing is tomorrow, 7/18/26. Race start is 9am on the Girdwood side of the trail. We expect finishers to start coming in at the Nature Center around noonish (yep, you read that right...3 hours to run the trail). Good luck to all the racers. We'll be cheering you on from the Friends of Eagle River Nature Center!

Check out the NWS spot forecast for race weekend:

FNAK71 PAFC 162236
FWSAER

Spot Forecast for Crow Pass Crossing... Healthy Futures Alaska
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
236 PM AKDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Forecast is based on forecast start time of 1200 AKDT on July 17.

DISCUSSION...

Wet and very cool (-for July) conditions are expected for the
Cross Pass route on Saturday.

Event Lead-up: Several rounds of rain / rain showers will move
across the Girdwood-Eagle River route Thursday into Friday, with
the bulk of rainfall occurring Thursday / Thursday night, then
tapering off on Friday. Rain may be heavy at times on the Girdwood
side of the pass, with lighter amounts in lower elevations towards
Eagle River.

Saturday: On Saturday, the weather pattern will be conducive for
isolated to scattered rain showers throughout the day along the
route, with a slightly higher probability of rain on the Girdwood
side of the pass (including the pass itself). Rainfall totals on
Saturday will generally be on the low side however (less than a
tenth of an inch). Low-level clouds may lead to mountain
obscuration / high-elevation fog at times, especially along the
pass and in Girdwood. Wind will be light/variable to begin the
day, but pick up from the ESE as the day progresses, with winds
through the pass gusting 10-20 mph early in the day, increasing to
20-30 mph in the afternoon, and in excess of 30 mph in the
evening. Temperatures will be chilly for July- anticipate morning
temperatures in Girdwood in the 40s to around 50 degrees, but with
temps in the pass in the upper 30s to around 40. Eagle River will
be a fair bit warmer, with temps generally in the 50s to around
60. Wind chill values in the pass are likely to be in the 30s,
possibly 20s at times.

River Conditions:

The gauge at Eagle River at Glenn Highway Bridge is currently at
5.17 feet as of midday Thursday. River levels are expected to
very slowly fall to around 5.06 feet for the start of the race on
Saturday. For reference, when this gauge reads 6 feet, water is
generally about waist high for those fording the river along the
Crow Pass Trail. Thus, based on this river forecast, it looks like
lower than that.
FRIDAY...

Sky/weather.........Mostly cloudy . Rain likely through the day.
Chance of pcpn......90 percent.
Max temperature.....44-54
Wind chill..........35-48
Surface winds (mph).Southeast winds 5 to 18 mph.
Rainfall amount.....0.12 inches.
FRIDAY NIGHT...

Sky/weather.........Mostly cloudy. Rain showers.
Chance of pcpn......80 percent.
Min temperature.....36-44.
Wind chill..........34-42.
Surface winds (mph).Southeast winds up to 12 mph.
Rainfall amount.....0.14 inches.
CEILING (KFT).......Variable. 3000ft above ground level (AGL) in lower
elevations to 0 / mountain obscuration at times
around the pass.
SATURDAY...

Sky/weather.........Cloudy. Rain showers likely.
Chance of pcpn......70 percent.
Max temperature.....37-58.
Wind chill..........35-56.
Surface winds (mph).Southeast winds up to 20 mph.
Rainfall amount.....0.07 inches.
CEILING (KFT).......Variable. 3000ft above ground level (AGL) in lower
elevations to 0 / mountain obscuration at times around
the pass.
Visibility..........Greater than 3-6 miles for lower elevations to less
than a mile at times for the pass and higher elevations.

$$
Forecaster...Brown

07/15/2026

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 the pinned post) but the trail will be OPEN for the race.

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.

07/08/2026

Heads up! Updated trail work info!

07/01/2026

7/1/2026 Trail Update: A couple of reports from 6/27 and 6/28 (Thanks Mack and Rebecca): "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! Eagle River ford site was over the knees to mid-thigh on 6/27. With the recent rain and warmer temps (more snow melt), expect the ford site and all other water crossings to be higher than normal. We do not know at any given time what depth the water crossings will be. They change daily. If you are not comfortable crossing, deep/swift water, turn-around and head back the way you came. A rescue in the back-country will take hours, even in good weather conditions. Thunder gorge crossing (about 1 mile after the ford site heading towards the Nature Center) reported as being waist deep, very fast and sketchy! Try walking downstream towards Eagle River to find a better spot to cross. Yakety Yak creek is very muddy. People losing the trail for a bit but eventually finding their way back. Rest of trail in ok 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 and other water crossings. 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.

06/24/2026

Heads up, Crow Pass Hikers: Temporary Trail Detour in Effect from Wednesday June 24 until further notice

*The trail detour is to protect hiker safety and support construction efficiency. Hikers who ignore the posted trail closure and detour may encounter extreme and potentially fatal hazards from rockfall and contractors will not be held responsible for injury incurred.*
Contractors are currently working above the "Chutes & Ladders" section on the Eagle River side of the Crow Pass Trail, rerouting the trail above the major washouts between Twin Falls and Thunder Creek. This will include rock breaking, tread work, and non-explosive rock removal that will cause rockfall hazards on the existing trail below. To avoid unpredictable trail closures, the contractor has flagged a short detour that takes hikers onto the river gravel bar, leaving the trail at the base of the ladder and rejoining upstream about 1/3rd mile south. The detour will be posted from ~7:30--5:30 on days when the contractor is working. If posts, follow the clearly flagged route. If the closure signs are NOT posted, the crew is not on site and you can confidently proceed along the original route without encountering hazard.

NOTE: The contractor's work camp and tool cache are private property: please do not tamper with or trespass, as this could affect the crew's safety and the efficiency of the work, which is supported by public funds.

Important Information:
-The Eagle River Nature Center Trailhead will remain open.
-Short trail detour will be intermittently present approx. 8.5-9 miles from Eagle River Trailhead. Detour will not add notable time or complexity to the regular route.
-Exposure to extreme hazards is likely if the posted detour is not followed.
-Helicopter noise and construction/equipment sounds may be heard throughout the summer.
-No crews or detours will be present during the Crow Pass Crossing on July 18.

Thank you for your patience Interior Trails works to improve and maintain your trails! Alaska State Parks greatly appreciates our partners, such as Interior Trails, whose expertise and dedication help us preserve and enhance our trail system for all to enjoy.

06/23/2026

6/23/2026 Trail Report (thanks Samantha!): hikers coming across the trail June 22, 2026 report - “Very doable right now. The snow slides are small and few, and easy to pass without spikes (we brought them, put them on at the cabin, and immediately took them off / didn’t use them). There are a couple short ones before the cabin, and a couple after the cabin.

Getting to the cabin: My husband and I were hiking in our group who had a cabin reservation. It was difficult to find a path to the cabin once we were at the top of the falls. You punch through everywhere and get soaking wet. The first attempt was finding a way somewhere near the normal trail to the cabin - that resulted in everyone who tried getting drenched feet / shins.

The only successful way we found (for now) is near the top of the falls. Crossing the rock face and a short 5 feet section wide of walking across very hard packed, stable snow (about 4 feet deep) over the rushing water to cross to the other side and walk through snow on the slope to the cabin.

A beautiful mountain goat greeted us at the top of the pass let us walk right by him (the whole group, about 10 feet from him on the trail).

An army helicopter flew super low right over the cabin and the boys all thought that was so awesome too.

2 of us dropped the rest of the crew off there with cookies and a backpacking ice cream machine (the essentials) and then continued to complete the rest of the trail to ER before evening.

The trail is sssooooo overgrown after the pass. We had been thinking we’d take our 3 kids (ages 11, 9 and 8 ) to backpack the trail over a few days later this summer. However, the overgrowth would be slapping their faces the whole time. So, we will not be doing that. 😌

We passed a mama black bear and 2 cubs shortly after Raven glacier.

River crossing was easy - the main crossing was only mid-thigh. The next crossing (assuming she means Thunder Gorge crossing) was deeper and had a much stronger current (to our butts - I am 5’8”).

From there, the trail continues to be very overgrown, not easy to identify in many locations, and is totally washed out with running and/or rushing water in many areas. Many more water passages than we remember. You hit a very boggy area and likely need a map to figure out how to get through that and stay on trail (we did, at least!).

The only section that felt “risky” to me was the short landslide area. There is a little bit of rope across the way if someone goes first and throws it to you to hang onto for the second half of it.

It will be great when they complete the new section to avoid a lot of the bigger problem areas!

We had a perfect day to complete the trail - lightly cloudy, a little wind to keep bugs away, and low water levels ✨.

Our moving time was 10 hours. We were hiking a group of 9 year old boys up to the cabin. The water passages and trying to navigate through all of the flooded areas and washed out sections definitely slowed us down. Not being able to see the trail in front of you slows you down a little. But overall we felt like we were keeping a pretty hardy pace.”

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 page for more information and hiker posts: Crow Pass Trail page

06/09/2026

Heads up, summer work on the trail info!

Chugach Region Crow Pass Construction: Heads up, hikers!

Trail work on the Crow Pass Trail will begin this week, lasting through early September, with contractor crews working in 8-day stretches. Construction will happen around Chutes & Ladders, rerouting the trail above the major washouts between Twin Falls and Thunder Creek. The existing trail will remain open until the completion of the reroute. If you encounter the contractor's camp or worksite, please do not trespass.

The Eagle River Nature Center trailhead use will not be affected, and the trail will remain open throughout the summer, but construction work may cause temporary closures to protect hiker safety below rock removal operations. Please obey all trail signage and respect any trail guards who ask you to pause your hike for your safety. You may hear helicopters from time to time as camp and supplies are supported by air, and chainsaws, brushers and rock breakers used for trailwork.

Important Information:
• The Eagle River Nature Center Trailhead will remain open.
• Temporary trail closures are possible for up to 30 min at a time.
• Helicopter noise and construction and equipment sounds may be heard during the summer.
• No crews or delays will be present during the Crow Pass Crossing on July 18.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve and maintain your trails! Alaska State Parks greatly appreciates our partners, such as Interior Trails, whose expertise and dedication help us preserve and enhance our trail system for all to enjoy.

For more information visit: https://www.interior-trails.com/build1.html

Stay tuned for updates!

06/04/2026

6/4/2026 Trail Update: It's still very much winter up in Crow Pass! To get an idea of how much snow could be in Crow Pass, check out the Alyeska We**am for Glacier Bowl Express (they are about the same elevation). As long as there is snow in higher terrain, there is late season avalanche risk.

ERNC staff talked with a hiker last night, 6/3/26. Hiker started at the Nature Center and got to Raven Gorge (~17 miles from the Nature Center). Just past Raven Gorge, the trail was heavily covered in snow, so not easy to navigate since the trail is not marked, and they weren't sure how deep the snow was further up into the pass. They turned around.

Crow Pass trail from the Nature Center to the Eagle River ford site is snow free/ok hiking. Interior Trails will be working on the chutes and ladders section this summer (~6-7ish miles from the Nature Center). We will update you when we know their schedule.

05/21/2026

Heads up! Still winter and still avalanche danger on the Girdwood side of Crow pass.