Pluvialis Pluvialis the the drier hillsides with The northern ), also known as the old-world avities avities between the rocks. They The lesser golden plover ( ) can be found on While hiking, watch for young and on animals and birds young for watch hiking, While Plover. Northern Wheatear. Northern Hoary Marmot living among the and rock Hoary Marmot living among the tundra and rock scree. and willow ptarmigan (Lagopus ). lagopus Both are close relatives of grouse, but unlike their seasons, the cousins, with white to brown from turn ptarmigan making them difficult for predators to see. migrate to eastern Asia for the winter. Asia for the winter. migrate to eastern surface trail the on run to easier it find Chicks trail. the rather than among the tundra vegetation. Caribou calves may be just days old when you see them. Respect all wildlife and give them the right-of-way. , is found in rock fields and rock ridges, where ridges, rock and fields rock in found is thrush, it builds nests in c dominica nests in the tundra moss. These speckled and brown winter Their tundra. the on camouflaged well are birds grounds are Argentina. in Plovers eat mainly insects but also like crowberries and blueberries. ( oenanthe Ochotona Ochotona Lagopus mutus) Lagopus Fork Shelter Cabin. They feed They Cabin. Shelter Fork There are two species of ptarmigan The northern or collared pika ( ), known as the “rock ,” is closely related closely is rabbit,” “rock the as known ), Marmots. Hoary marmots (Marmota caligata) Pika. Caribou. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are unique Ptarmigan. Wildlife live in rock outcrops and rubble fields, including North the around those on grasses, flowering , berries, roots, mosses, and lichens. Marmots are social animals that live in colonies. When startled, hoary marmots usually sound a loud whistle, explaining their nickname, and growl, squeal, hiss, also they but pig,” “whistling “wildness” their respect but presence, their Enjoy yip. by maintaining a reasonable distance. Grizzly bears alert be and signs bear for watch so marmots, on prey around marmot habitat. collaris around bark shrill their for Listen . and hares to rock slides or talus slopes. They are remarkable for their well-developed hay-making or grass-collecting behavior. Consider yourself lucky if you see these highly alert animals. among the deer family in that both females and males have antlers. Males shed their antlers after rut (breeding) while some pregnant females carry their Caribou spring. late in them shed and winter all antlers and sedges, grasses, birch, scrub willows, lichens, eat available. when mushrooms eat also They cottongrass. Caribou have been described as they having as plants “universal of variety wide a eat they because tastes” migrate great distances between traditional calving and cow for Watch areas. feeding winter and grounds calf groups and stay well away from them. living along the trail: rock ptarmigan ( ptarmigan rock trail: the along living Other rock types are visible in different areas along areas different in visible are types rock Other unusual view to place excellent an also is trail The polygon- include features permafrost-related Other Solifluction lobes found in the Pinnell Mountain area. trail. This schist dates to the Precambrian-Cambrian only when ago, years billion 2 to million 700 periods, the simplest life forms flourished. Shelter Fork North the surrounding area The trail. the Cabin is composed of granite. On the eastern side of light of intrusion an parallels trail the Mountain, Table gray rhyolite. most The climate. cold Alaska’s by created landforms visible of these formations are tundra. solifluction the on lobes, ripples or fabric draped like look which Look for them on steep slopes, where the allow freeze-thaw permafrost discontinuous of zones in cycles downhill slide to soil of layer top and mat vegetative over the bedrock. created rocks,” of “seas and fissures ground patterned rocks fractured pushes frost as years of thousands over to the surface.

Pink Family. Family. Pink ) Crowberry Family. Family. Crowberry ) (Eritrichium aretioides) (Minuartia arctica) (Minuartia Empetrum nigrum Empetrum ( Hikers on the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Recreation National Mountain Pinnell the on Hikers Sandwort. Arctic Forget-Me-Not. Arctic Bistort. (Polygonum bistorta) Buckwheat Family. Crowberry. Arctic Sandwort growing on the rock scree. on the rock Sandwort growing Arctic Geology Trail walk across some of Alaska’s oldest rocks. Schist, rocks. oldest Alaska’s of some across walk Trail the predominant rock type, forms the prominent tors jutting from narrow ridge tops on sections of the Forms large mats of white, five-petaled flowers. mats of white, five-petaled Forms large Borage Family. Bright blue flowers on short, dense clusters of branching stems. A spike of bright pink flowers on single stalks with long, pointed leaves. A A mat-forming, evergreen shrub with small, narrow berry. edible an producing flowers, maroon and leaves Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail National Recreation Pinnell Mountain

Heath Heath magenta flowers magenta (Vaccinium -idaea) (Dodecatheon frigidum) (Cassiope tetragona) (Oxytropis (Oxytropis ) nigrescens Pea (Loiseleuria procumbens) ountains. Storms moving through the through moving Storms ountains. All of Alaska is bear country. Alaska Remember is to All bear watch of country. Water Water is available at both shelter cabins from a There are two shelter cabins located on the Pinnell the on located cabins shelter two are There The Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail Alpine Azalea. Frigid Shooting Star. Spectacular wildflowers and shrubs are a highlight of highlight a are shrubs and wildflowers Spectacular Purple Oxytrope. Purple Oxytrope. Arctic Bell Heather. Bell Arctic Mountain Cranberry. Mountain Vegetation Safety Ptarmigan Creek Shelter Cabin. Shelter Ptarmigan Creek for for bears and other wildlife. Cooking should take place outside the shelter cabins so that animals are sleeping from away food Cook them. to attracted not clean a keep Always tents. from downwind and areas feet 200 least at buried be should waste Human camp. including garbage, all and sources, water from m) (60 leave not do Please out. hauled be should paper, toilet food in the cabins for the next people to pack Remember – “If you pack it in, pack it out.” out. catchment system constructed to collect melting snow melting collect to constructed system catchment and All rain. water should be treated before cooking or drinking. Other water sources can be found in early the in and trail, the along scattered ponds small water, of plenty Carry melted. be may snow summer, hike. even if you are only doing a day Mountain National Recreation Trail. The Ptarmigan km) (16.2 10.1 mile near located is Cabin Shelter Creek in a saddle just below Pinnell Mountain. The North Fork Shelter Cabin is located at mile 17.8 (28.6 km) provide cabins small These hill. a of side back the on emergency shelter, away from strong wind and blowing rain or They snow. operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Hikersshould always have tents and be prepared to use them in case the shelters are occupied. traverses the high ridges between the White Mountains White the between ridges high the traverses M Crazy the and valleys or Tanana reach this high ground and stall. The results are windy conditions, drop can low Temperatures clouds, snow. or hail, rain, fog, ground April, while highs below can freezing reach in to the time any at snow for prepared Be July. in 80’s middle of the year. hikes along the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation National Mountain Pinnell the along hikes Trail. Depending on when you visit, types many the different of few a just are Here bloom. in be may kinds of vegetation you will find along the trail. Forms Family. mats of many light pink, five-petaled flowers.

on short, single-stalked plants with large basal leaves. basal large with plants single-stalked short, on Primrose Family. Look for drooping, for Look Family. Primrose Family. A tiny, grayish-leaved with dark purple dark with plant grayish-leaved tiny, A Family. flowers that produce a seed pod. Family. Family. A dark green, dwarf shrub with scale-like leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers. Heath Family. An evergreen mat-forming shrub An with evergreen Heath Family. that flowers bell-like pinkish, and leaves ovoid glossy, produce an edible berry.

BLM Alaska

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www.blm.gov/ak l Re

1150 University Avenue 1150 Eastern Interior Field Office Eastern Interior For more information, contact: Bureau of Land Management Bureau Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3844

907-474-2200 or 1-800-437-7021 907-474-2200 or

ail

Offering an escape to a unique and remote section section remote and unique a to escape an Offering The Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail is

Hikers Hikers using the Pinnell Mountain National The trail is 27 miles (44 km) long and traverses

r

The Trail The

T Nationa

Mount ain Pinnell Mountain Mountain National Recreation Trail of the Steese National Conservation Area, the Pinnell the Area, Conservation National Steese the of B-4, C-3, and C-4. have detailed USGS maps covering the trail: Circle B-3, Circle trail: the covering maps USGS detailed have must be under control at all All times. visitors should closed to summer use of motorized vehicles, and pets

(0.8 km). elevation elevation changes over a distance of one-half mile trail features long switchbacks with 600-foot (182 m) (182 600-foot with switchbacks long features trail Summit, Pinnell Mountain, Mountain, and the Table many sections the grade exceeds 25 percent. At Eagle Eagle At percent. 25 exceeds grade the sections many Most of the trail has at least an 8 percent grade and in and grade percent 8 an least at has trail the of Most Recreation Trail Recreation Trail should expect a physical challenge. when visibility is poor. when visibility is poor. of the trail require good navigational skills, especially skills, navigational good require trail the of and wooden posts areas indicate the trail. Many parts Many trail. the indicate areas posts wooden and terrain makes the trail difficult rock to cairns follow, (mile 0) toward Twelvemile Summit (mile 27). Where 27). (mile Summit Twelvemile toward 0) (mile timberline. Mileage is measured from Eagle Summit a series of alpine ridge tops that are entirely above Porcupine Dome. Porcupine Dome. for Robert Pinnell, who died while climbing nearby along the trail at 4,721 feet (1438 m), was named midnight sun. Pinnell Mountain, the highest point wildflower displays,and the unceasinglight of the a visual feast of sweeping mountain vistas, brilliant Porcupine Dome Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail 4915 ft. • Eagle Summit: N65°29.087', W145°24.869' • Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter: N65°30.186', W145°37.728' • North Fork Trail Shelter: N65°28.733', W145°49.043' Trail Characteristics Trail Information • Twelvemile Summit: N65°23.865', W145°58.376' Grade • Trail Length: 27.3 miles (44 kilometers). These coordinates (in WGS84 datum) are approximate and Average 12%, 82% exceeds 8%. Maximum • Elevational Change: 1,691 feet (515 meters). should not be used as your only means of navigation. Pinnell Mountain section is 39% for 38 feet. • Time needed to hike the trail: 3 to 5 days. 4934 ft. Cross Slope Average 8%. Width Minimum 4 inches wide, average 24 inches. Eagle Summit Wayside Surface Swamp Saddle Ptarmigan Creek 92% natural surface, 6% wooden planking, Ptarmigan Creek Milepost 107.3 - Elev. 3,624 ft. 10-12 inches wide, 2% very soft – bog. 3500 ft. Shelter Cabin Rock Uneven rock surface.

Drop Off Scree slopes.

Legend

Parking Bates Creek

North Unit Information North Fork Fish Creek

Shelter Cabin Bear Creek Steese National Conservation Area Hiking Trail Location of area shown on map

Trail Eagle Creek Shelter Table Alaska River Mountain North Fork Access 4472 ft. Gold Dust Creek

Fishing Fairbanks

Anchorage Vault Toilet Willow Creek Mileage 1 Marker

Reed Creek

Butte Creek

Creek White Steese National Mountains Conservation Steese Highway Birch National Area Twelvemile Creek Recreation Area Upper Birch Creek Wayside Steese National Conservation Milepost 94.1 - Elev. 1,900 ft. Pinnell Area Twelvemile Summit Wayside Mountain Trail Chena Hot Springs Milepost 85.5 - Elev. 3,150 ft. Steese National Conservation Area South Unit Birch Creek South Fork National Wild River Caution: This map should be used for general trip planning only. Corridor Use USGS inch-to-the-mile maps for detailed trip planning. The National Trail System The Pinnell Mountain Trail was established by Congress in 1968 and nominated as a component of the National Trails System in 1971. The trail is one of the few maintained primitive hiking trails in interior Alaska. It is managed for a primitive experience, where users feel isolated from the sights and sounds of man, encounter a high degree of risk and challenge, and use outdoor skills. On the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail you can experience the remote backcountry areas of the Steese National Conservation Area and enjoy outstanding views of the White Mountains, the Crazy Mountains, the Alaska Range to the south, and the surrounding Yukon-Tanana uplands and Yukon River valley.

BLM/AK/GI-11/008+8351+F0000 Rev 2011