White MountainsWinter Trails and Cabins |
Brochure Winter Trails and Cabins at White Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA) in Alaska. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
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Winter Trails
Safety
The White Mo1mtains National Recreation Area has
over 200 miles of winter trails offering a variety
of challenges a11d scene1y to cross-co1mtry skiers,
skijorers, dog n1ushers, snowmachiners, and other
experienced wi11ter travelers.
Know Before You Go
Prepare for tl1e unexpected. Even when planni11g for
a day trip, always be prepared to spend the 11ight.
Equip1nent problen1s, bad weather, or unexpected
inishaps can leave you stranded far fron1 help.
Trailhead parking areas are marked with large
11ighway signs. Trailhead displays provide
info1n1ation on the general area, b1it are not a
replacement for tl1is brochure or topographic 1naps.
The trail ro11tes are intennittently n1arked with
reflective trail 1narkers and have directional signs
at trail junctions. I111nost treeless areas, trails are
marked with tripods. Topographic maps for the
White Mom1tai11s are available from the Map Office
located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks
can1p11s.
File a Trip Plan with a Friend
Always make sure someone knows:
• when you plan to leave and rehlill
• where you are goit1g
•the color, type , ai1d license nun1ber ofyo1rr vehicle
• what survival gear you are taki11g
Trail Conditions
The Bureau ofLa11d Ma11age1nent (BLM) atte1npts
to keep the trails packed tlrro11ghout the winter, but
trail conditions can change on a daily basis. Saine
trails can be difficult to follo\v i11 ce11ain weather
conditions. Yo11 should always carry topographic
trail maps a11d a compass, a11d be prepared to break
trail.
A weekly trail conditions report is available from
the BLM-Alaska Web site (address below) or by
calling a recorded inessage at (907) 474-2372 .
Emergency and Survival Gear
Be s1rre to caiTy at least the following:
• d1y n1atches and fire sta11er
• metal cup for boiling water and extra food
• sleeping bag, ground pad, and space blanket
• spare socks, gloves, hat a11d face inask, snowshoes
• n1aps, co1npass, and first-aid kit
• axe or handsaw and sharp knife
• eq11ipn1ent repair tools a11d spare parts
Unpredictable Conditions
Plan for cold weather, 11igh winds, deep snow, ai1d
unexpected changes in weather. The te1nperatures in
the White Mo1mtains inay be as 1n11ch as 25 degrees
colder than it1 Fairbanks! Be alert for conuno11 b11t
often hidden hazards such as thin ice, open leads,
and overfto\v.
Cover photo: Caribou Bluff Cabin, I Ox 12/t, sleeps 4
Bureau of Land Management
Fairbanks District Office
1150 University Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3844
Local: 907-474-2200
Toll Free: 1-800-437-7021
www.blm.gov/ak
Winter Trail Use
Cabins
Backcountry Etiquette
Winter trails in the W11ite Mo1mtai11s N atio11al
Recreatio11 Area are sl1ared by inany types of
ltsers such as dog m11shers, skiers, skijorers, and
snown1achiners.
Several cozy log cabi11s have been b11ilt at sce11ic
locations along the White Mo1mtains \Vi11ter trail
syste1n to erth.ance the safety and co1nfort ofyo1rr
wi11ter adventure.
The Alaska Spirit
Motorized Use
The area is ope11 to n1otorized vehicles, including
snown1achines, with a Gross Vehicular Weight
Rating (GVWR) under 1500 po1111ds fro111 October
16 to April 30, except as noted below.
Cost and Registration
Public recreation use cabins must be reserved i11
advance and paid for at the time yo111nake yo1rr
reservations. Shelter cabi11s are first-con1e , first
served. Reservations can be n1ade in person at the
BLM Public Info11natio11 Center in Fairba11ks at
1150 University Avenue or by telephone at (907)
4 74-2251 or 474-2252, if you are using a credit
card.
• Windy Creek and Fossil Creek drainages close on
April 15 because of critical wildlife areas.
• The Ski Loop Trail ai1d Sununit Trail are closed to
all 1notorized vehicles.
• Research Nahrral Areas are closed to all motorized
vehicles at all ti111es so tl1ey ca11 be preserved in a
11atural state for future research.
Contact BLM for an OHVArea Designation Map
for inore details.
Non-motorized Trails
The Ski Loop Trail begins and ends at the
Wickershan1 Dome Trailhead at Mile 28 Elliott
Higl1way. This moderately challe11ging, five-mile
trail starts on Sun1mit Trail and cli1nbs above
timberline for views of the Alaska Rai1ge and
Mount McKit1ley. The trail descends through a
forested area before co1Ulecti11g with Wickersham
Creek Trail.
Wickersham Dome, an alpine area suitable for
off-trail skiing and ca1nping, can be reacl1ed via the
Ski Loop and Summit trails . A small, 10-foot by
10-foot trail shelter is located about 81niles fro1n
the traill1ead. This cabin is minimally fi.m1isl1ed and
does not have a woodstove. Areas above ti1nberline
are often very windy, so go prepared.
Reservations 1nay be 1nade up to 30 days in
advance. Stays are lin1ited to three consecutive
nights per cabin. Weekends, holidays, and spring
breaks are peak use times. Reservatio11s are from
noon to noon. Rangers will issue citations to people
usi11g cabit1s witho11t reservations and proof of
payment, so don 't forget your cab;n per111il!
Road-Accessible Cabin
The BLM n1aintains the Fred Blixt Cabin at Mile
62.5 Elliott Higl1way. Contact tl1e BLM for details.
Firewood and Water
The BLM atte1npts to supply tl1e cabins \Vith
firewood, but 1nakes no guarantees. Firewood is
scarce at some cabi11s; carry firewood with yo11, cut
some alo11g the way, or be prepared to cut wood
ltpon yo1rr a1Tival. Be sure to cut only dead trees .
Cut standi11g trees at ground level so stun1ps do not
pose a hazard to trail users. Please replace all the
\Vood you bu1n, a11d leave a supply of d1y kit1dling
and wood in the cabi11 for the next person. The only
sources of water are melted snow a11d creeks.
The Accommodations
All cabins have a cooking area, table, b111iks, ai1d
a nearby 011thouse. All cabit1s have a woodstove
except the Sununit Trail Shelter. TI1e cabins are of
different sizes and design, a11d the n111nber of people
they can sleep va1ies .
The BLM eq11ips eacl1 of the cabins with tl1e
following:
• propane cookstove • fire extinguisher
• propa11e lante1n
• broom and dustpan
• axe and bow saw
• outdoor thermo1neter
• shovel
• cabin logbook
The BLM cannot e11sure the co11dition of these
ite1ns. Please do not remove them fro1n the cabin,
and notify BLM if they are broke11or1nissing.
Please leave the cabin clean and ready for the next
user.
The following iten1s are not provided, so be sure to
bring:
• propa11e ca11isters for the cookstove and lantern
•personal ca1nping, cooking, and survival gear
• spare lantern mantles ai1d candles
• two, AA-sized batteries for the s1noke detector
• Replace the firewood you burn-use only dead
trees .
• Leave dry kindling in the cabin and fill the lantern
and cookstove for tl1e next person.
• Bu1n all food scraps and paper, including toilet
paper-ha11l out all non-bu1nable trasli.
• Remove food fron1 cabins-it attracts lmwanted
anin1als.
• Ensure the fire is out, clean the cabin, and close
the door, windows, and shutters before leaving.
•Leave all ELM-supplied items in the cabin and
notify BLM if things are 1nissing or broken.
• Dogmushers: clean ltp after yo1rr dogs and dmnp
waste materials far fro1n the cabin.
•Do not shoot within one-quarter mile of the
cabi11s.
•Respect the privacy of those \vho have reserved a
cabin--don' t ask to sl1are the cabin, and camp at
least 011e mile away.
• Do not dishrrb trappi11g activities in the area.
• Ca1np at least 25 feet away fro1n the trail. Do not
camp or b11ild fires on the trail.
• Operation of moto1ized vehicles, includi11g snow
1nachines, while intoxicated is prohibited.
Rules of the Road
• When meeting head-on, snown1achiners should
p11ll off the trail and nm1 their engines off to let
dog tea1ns, skijorers, and skiers pass.
• When approaching fro1n behind, snowmachiners
should slow down and wait until the traveler it1
fro11t signals that it is okay to pass.
• When dog tean1s want to pass, skiers and skijorers
should 1nove to the side of the trail and restrain
their dogs .
• Slower m11shers should move to the side of the
trail to allow faster dog tea1ns to pass.
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National Recreation Area
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Colorado Creek Cabin
12 x 16/1, sleeps 4
Fred Blixt Cabin
MP 62.5
Cabin
Colorado Creek
Trail head
MP57.1
•m
61.IHfil'I
Campground
r.;'! fJ rfil1
Wickersham Creek
Trail Shelter
Davidson Ditch
MP 57.3
fJ!]jj
Eleazar's
Cabin
Lee's Cabin
Cripple Creek
Campground
MP 60
I.Ii r.;'! rfil1
Summit
Trail Shelter
U.S. Creek Trailhead
MP57.3
~
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The U.S. Creek Road and the
Davidson Ditch turnout are not
maintained during the winter.
McKay Creek Trailhead
MP 42.5
II
m~ me fJ llirfill
Cabin
•m
Miles
Crolvberry Cabin
16x 16/1, sleeps 6
•
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Chatanika e
Wickersham Dome
Trail head
imu•
MP 27.7
miliii
MP 27.9
Mileages given are the shortest
distances between cabi11s on BLM
1naintained trails. Miles are rounded
to the nearest whole nun1ber.
!?! mrd H ~rfill
Respect private property near the
Wickersham Dome Trailhead.
.,.<
Do not navigate from this map.
.,.• 'I-'
Cht1tu11tr
Cleary
Summit
MP 20.3
Legend
r.;'! Camping
Wickersham Dome Trail head
Lee's Cabin
iJ Information
Eleazar's Cabin
Summit Trail Shelter
~ Parking
Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter
Ill Public Recreation Use Cabin
Iii Shelter Cabin
Borealis-LeFevre Cabin
Windy Gap Cabin
~ Snowmobiling
Moose Creek Cabin
IJ Snowshoeing
Ill Skiing and Skijoring
rfil1 Vault Toilet
ti Winter Recreation Area Access
Crowberry Cabin
=Trail
-Road
- River or Creek
Caribou Bluff Cabin
Cache Mountain Cabin
Colorado Creek Trail head
Colorado Creek Cabin
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Wolf Run Cabin
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