Johnson Pass North Trailhead

This north trailhead of the Johnson Pass trail is about a quarter mile off the highway. (The south trailhead is at Mile 32.6.) This 23 mile trail follows a portion of the historic Iditarod Trail, which connected Seward to Nome. The trail is over fairly level country with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. Allow two or more days.

Between 1888 and 1896, many gold claims were staked in the Hope-Sunrise area and this trail was used to transport supplies and mail, From 1896 to 1917, thousands passed over the route from Seward and Whittier to Hope, Sunrise, Girdwood, Knik and Susitna.

The trail offers spectacular views and emerges into alpine country where you can extend your hike in almost any direction. Along the trail, hikers will be treated to outstanding views of mountains and lakes and good fishing for grayling and trout.

The trail usually remains blocked with snow until June, and is closed to horses during April, May and June because of soft trail conditions.

In winter the trail offers good crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing for the first two to four miles from the north trailhead. Avalanche danger is extreme beyond the four-mile point.