Crow Pass Cabin
The cabin is a 16 x16-foot, A-frame with a main floor and sleeping loft. It can accommodate 6 people and has wooden bunks, a table with benches, fire extinguisher, snow shovel, a broom and an outside pit toilet.
A kerosene stove is provided as a heat source. Cabin users are responsible for bringing their own supply of kerosene. Typically, one gallon a day is sufficient.
Guests are responsible for supplying their own drinking water, a cook stove, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, mattresses, toilet paper, garbage bags, cookware, dishes and utensils.
A small creek is located near the cabin. Water should be treated before consumption.
Note: There is an outhouse for Crow Pass trail users (day hikers and backpackers). If you are not renting the Crow Pass Cabin, please use the new outhouse and help keep the beautiful landscape toilet paper and poop free! Trail rangers also built a new trail to the cabin and camping area near Crystal Lake. Bear boxes have been installed at the lake for backpackers to store their food.
Remember:
- Crow Pass Cabin use is by reservation only. Please respect cabin user(s) privacy
- Stay on trails to minimize damaging the alpine vegetation
- Burn your toilet paper in the burn bucket in the outhouse to maximize the life of the outhouse
Reservations
Make Reservations HereVisit Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (overseas: 518-885-3639) to check availability and make a reservation. Cabin reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. Cabin check-in and check-out time is 12 p.m.
Reservations made on Recreation.gov are non-transferable through a third party to prevent abuse, and unauthorized sale and resale. If necessary, work through Recreation.gov to adjust reservations. Contact the Glacier Ranger District office for questions regarding location-specific policy.
If you cannot use your reservation, please modify or cancel your reservation to make space for others.
General Information
Crow Pass Cabin is located about 500 yards off the Crow Pass Trail, which follows part of the former supply route for the Iditarod Trail. The trail is popular destination for its historic sites, stunning scenery and wildlife watching opportunities.
The cabin is an ideal stop for visitors hiking the entire length of the trail, which takes an estimated two to three days, or for visitors interested in a good base camp for mountain climbing or backcountry skiing in the area.
The site is only available for rent from June through October due to elevated avalanche danger during the winter and spring months. Please note, hazardous avalanche conditions may exist in this area as early as October and well into June. Access requires a 3-mile hike from the Crow Pass Trailhead off Crow Creek Road with an elevation gain of 2,080 feet. The trail may have snow October through mid-June. There are small stream-crossings to navigate just before the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.
More information on avalanche hazards in this area can be found at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center website. If accessing this cabin in late fall or early summer, please be prepared for winter conditions and/or potential avalanche hazards affecting the route in and along the Crow Pass Trail.
Crow Pass Cabin is available for reservations from June - October. The optimal season for a stay is July - August.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, June 1 - October 31. Closed in winter due to avalanche danger. Check-in/Check-out time is 12pm.
Hunting requires a permit. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website for more information and permits.
Every year, cabin reservations close on October 31, due to avalanche conditions.
Per night price is $75. This cabin is available June 1 - October 31 and closed November 1-May 31. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov
Contact Name: Glacier Ranger District Office
Contact Phone: (907) 783-3242
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 61.05300516
Longitude: -149.11971782
Elevation
3,500 ft
Directions
At Mile 90, Seward Highway (35 miles south of Anchorage) turn north onto paved road leading to Mt. Alyeska Resort. After 2 miles turn left onto Crow Creek Road. Trailhead is at end of road (6 miles). Refer to USGS map, Anchorage A6.
Travel Considerations
Black and brown bears, wolves and moose inhabit the area. Learn about bear safety here.
Parking
Parking is available at the end of Crow Creek Road in Girdwood.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Other Amenities
An outhouse 3.5 miles from Girdwood trailhead for the use of hikers and backpackers. Please burn toilet paper in burn pail provided.
Recreation Opportunities
Hunting Info
Wildlife hunting is available and strictly regulated. A permit is required. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website for more information and permits.
Viewing WildlifeViewing Wildlife Info
The cabin is situated in the Chugach Mountains near Crystal Lake. It sits in open tundra above the tree line with vegetation of low shrubs, grasses and summer wildflowers. Black and brown bears, wolves and moose inhabit the area. Dall sheep, mountain goats, marmots, arctic ground squirrels and white-tailed ptarmigan may be spotted on the rocky terrain surrounding the cabin.
Climbing - MountainClimbing - Mountain Info
Glaciers and peaks around the cabin offer experienced climbers a challenging adventure.