Igloo Mountain Summit

Healy, Alaska

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Details

Distance

2.26 miles

Elevation Gain

1634 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Mike Quine

From the Big Creek/Igloo Mountain Campground, in the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve, head northwestbound onto a social trail leading towards the mountains summit. Follow this social trail along the mountains southface to encounter slippery, hair-raising scree fields, plush tundra grasses, and life-altering views of the Denali Wilderness.

Make no mistake, this is a unkempt, social trail. Starting at the base of the mountain at the McKinley Park Road sign for Big Creek/Igloo Mountain Campground, begin hiking northeast towards a faint social trail heading up the mountain. Once you reach the first false peak approximately 1/3 of your way to the top, you can carefully hug the southeast-face of the mountain along a precarious scree field. Progressing forwards, you eventually reach an unmistakable bed of plush field of tundra grass. This is a perfect place to either make camp for the day or rest and soak in the views thus far. To continue towards the summit, continue north along the east/west ridge before reaching a second false peak. From this point, continue either north or south to catch a commanding view of the valley floor and the ever-reaching horizon of snow-capped majesty. Either camp towards the wind-swept summit or trek back down. Hiking down the northwest side of the mountain may prove more stable, though you run the risk of heavier bushwacking through a tangled tundra forest.

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Features

Photography

Camping

Fitness

Backpacking

Hiking

Forest

Romantic

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

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