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White Mountains National Recreation Area - Trail Creek Trail
TRAIL BEGINS: Wickersham Creek Trail mile 6
TRAIL ENDS: Cache Mountain Cabin
LENGTH: 33 trail miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ELEVATION CHANGE: 825 feet
RECOMMENDED SEASON: In the winter there is usually enough snow to travel this trail from November through early April. This trail is suitable for summer backpacking to Lee's Cabin.
USE: Moderate to heavy winter use by snowmobiles with moderate dog sledding and skier use. Light summer use by backpackers, mountain bikers, and some ATV use.
U.S.G.S. 1:63,360 TOPO MAPS: Livengood A-2, B-1, B-2
TRAIL CREEK TRAIL ELEVATION PROFILE
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
The Trail Creek Trail begins at mile 6 of the Wickersham Creek Trail. Lee's Cabin is located about 0.75 miles from the junction with the Wickersham Creek Trail and is clearly marked with a trail junction sign. The cabin is 100 yards off of the main trail. The Trail Creek Trail continues along a forested ridge line for the next four miles. It then climbs for the next two miles to an elevation of 2,245 feet. The trail drops down into a saddle and then gently climbs to the top of a hill after two miles and enters an old burn area. This is a good place to collect firewood for the Moose Creek Cabin. The trail then descends for one mile and breaks out into a large open meadow. This meadow is usually very wind blown and the trail can be obscured by drifting snow. The Moose Creek Trail junction is 1.25 miles farther, and the Moose Creek Cabin is another 0.25 miles beyond, at the eastern end of the meadow.
From the Moose Creek Cabin, the Trail Creek Trail climbs for 1.5 miles to its highest point of 2.387 feet, then follows the ridge line north, paralleling Trail Creek. From this high point the trail gently climbs and descends for the next 9.5 miles to the Crowberry Cabin, which is located at mile 21 of the Trail Creek Trail. The turn-off to Crowberry Cabin is clearly marked with a trail sign and is approximately 100 yards off of the main trail. The trail continues along a forested ridge for three miles until it breaks out of the trees into a large, open meadow and then descends for another three miles towards Beaver Creek. The trail drops steeply for 0.5 miles on to Beaver Creek and continues downstream for approximately 0.25 miles, before climbing off of the creek and back in to the trees. The trail goes northeast for three miles through an old burn area and through open spruce forests. It then heads northward, past the junction of the McKay Creek Trail which leads to the Steese Highway. The Trail Creek Trail parallels the western side of O'Brien Creek northward for three more miles to the Cache Mountain Cabin and connects with the Cache Mountain Loop Trail.
CABIN INFORMATION:
Lee's Cabin is located on top of a ridge overlooking the Wickersham Creek drainage with fantastic views of the White Mountains in the distance. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft, and can sleep six people comfortably.
The Moose Creek Cabin is located at the eastern side of a large meadow overlooking the Moose Creek drainage and the White Mountains. Occasionally Mt. McKinley can be seen in the evenings. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft that can sleep four to five people comfortably.
The Crowberry Cabin is located in an open spruce forest at mile 21 of the Trail Creek Trail. It has a spectacular view of Big Bend and the White Mountains. This 10' by 12' cabin has two bunk beds and can sleep four people comfortably.
The Cache Mountain Cabin is located approximately six miles north of Beaver Creek on the northwest side of O'Brien Creek at the junction of the Trail Creek and Cache Mountain Loop trails. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft, and can sleep six people comfortably.
Each of these cabins have a wood stove for heat, a Coleman cook stove and lantern, a table, and an outhouse.
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from Away.com
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