Pinnell Mountain Trail

To enjoy the vast wilderness of interior Alaska with your canine companion, check out the Pinnell Mountain Trail. This maintained, primitive hiking trail offers an exciting challenge, and glorious solitude in nature. The trail passes through a rich tundra ecosystem, traversing alpine ridges and offering sweeping views of the Alaskan Range, the White Mountains, the Crazy Mountains, and the Yukon River Valley. Along the way, you'll have the chance to see some of Alaska's oldest rocks and unique landforms created by the cold climate. The trail is above the timber line, and is fairly exposed. 

There are two start points for the Pinnell Mountain Trail along Steese Highway. The Eagle Summit Trailhead can be found at mile post 107, and the Twelve Mile Summit Trailhead is at mile post 85. Plan to spend either a very long day or an overnight on this point-to-point backpacking trail, and enjoy the serenity of being far from the sights and sounds of man. There are two shelters along the way you can make use of, the North Fork Shelter and the Ptarmigan Creek Shelter. These small shelters are welcoming in harsh weather, and feature water catchment systems. 

After spending the night with your pup in one of the shelters, you'll get to wake up in the morning to a place that is teeming with wildlife and wildflowers. In the springtime, this area hosts a variety of migratory birds. Listen for the marmot's whistle, and keep an eye out for caribou, bears and wolves. In the summertime the hillsides sparkle with butterflies, alpine azaleas, and arctic forget-me-nots. 

The trail and shelters welcome dogs, but be sure to keep Fido leashed to protect him from dangerous animals. This rugged trail offers very few amenities, so you'll need bring food, water, and supplies for you and your pooch. Try out this trail if you and your doggo are itching for a challenge in the great outdoors, and to enjoy the unforgettable Alaskan wilderness.