Great trail but a lot of traffic on it. Many users shortcut the switchbacks which is creating an erosion problem in some places.
★
★
★
★
We love the hike and the views from the Coal Creek Divide are beautiful. We do this hike every year.
★
★
★
★
I would not say this was easy, maybe more of a medium hike. From the parking area to the cave entrance and back, my Gaia record track showed 6.2 miles round trip. The tail is in very good shape up until the last few hundred yards. This is a great time of year. Everything is green and the flowers are blooming. Probably only saw 20 to 25 people throughout the day and all very friendly. You are almost there once you cross the stream and the first small waterfall which you can get behind for photos. The last turn before "The Steps" you can go off the main trail and get behind the large waterfall. Great photo op looking into or out of. The last 50 yard was muddy and still snow, most people turned back at this point as it was very slick and tough. Stopped 10 yard short as there was so much water coming out of the cave there was no way to get into it. We did this on June 30th so if you want to get into the cave you will wait as the water is all still snow melt off. Plus was we got to play in the snow in later June. Weather was great, cool breeze blowing down the canyon. Lastly bring an extra pair of shoes and on the way back there are several placed to wade in the creek to cool off. Not sure how to post photos on this review but feel free to email if you would like any additional information or photos which show upper trail conditions and waterfalls. BCSO321@msn.com
★
★
★
★
Have hiked this in July 2014 and late August 2018. In July you probably want an ice axe for the traverse between Static Peak Divide and Buck Mountain Divide. In August it was almost dry, but because of the rainy summer wildflowers were going crazy. I believe the track information is incorrect here. I recorded 5,600 feet total elevation gain. It's 4000 feet just to Static Divide; after this you've got the sheep steps and Mount Meek pass to get over.
There's been plenty of water along the whole route every time I've been on any of these stretches of trail. The driest parts are the few miles after Phelps lake when the trail rises above the creek, the higher parts of the Alaska Basin trail before Static Divide, and the first couple of miles of Death Canyon Shelf. I bring a small filter and a 2L hydration bladder and never have to worry. Your choice if you want to fill the bladder all the way and make fewer stops, or load up on just a liter at a time more often.
This is one of the great long routes in range. Truly spectacular.
★
★
★
★
★
