Kesugi Ridge Trail

Kesugi Ridge Trail is a through hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, United States. Under favorable conditions visitors can see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. The trail is 22 mi long, but does not connect directly to a roadway. The Upper Troublesome Creek trail, Cascade trail, Ermine Hill trail and Little Coal Creek trail provide access to it from Parks Highway between mile 137.6 and mile 163.9. It starts below the tree line and works it way up to the alpine tundra along the ridge, crossing hills and valleys with cairns marking the way in rocky areas. This hike can be considered difficult because of the elevation gain, exposure to sudden changes in weather and of bear activity. At times the presence of bear forces the closure of the trail. Other times it is closed because of flooding.

The different starting/ending points allow hikers to tailor their trip. Visitors can check with the Park to ensure that the Troublesome Creek Trail-head is not closed for flooding, which is a common occurrence in the summer. The Ermine Hil trailhead offers a day hike of part of the Kesugi Ridge Trail on a fairly easy 6.2 mile round trip near rock formations and a small lake at the end of the trail. The Byers Lake Trail-head is located within Byers Lake Campground, a convenient ending or starting point.