Crow Pass Cabin

Area Status: Open
The new Cabin at Crow Pass

August 2021 - There is a new 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

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 1 gallon/ day is sufficent.

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.

*Not recommended for winter use due to extreme avalanche danger* This cabin is closed November - May and not available for use.

Overview

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 some years. Getting there 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 is a 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 (www.CNFAIC.org). 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 along the Crow Pass Trail.

View of Crow Pass cabin and mountain lake Close-up shot of new cabin The new Crow Pass cabin, looking south Looking down the pass towards Girdwood

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Due to avalanche conditions this cabin is closed November - May
Reservations: Cabin reservations can be made by phone calling 1-877-444-6777 or on-line by visiting www.recreation.gov.

Check in time: 12 noon | Check out time: 12 noon

Area Amenities: Toilets: An outhouse 3.5 miles from Girdwood trailhead. For use by hikers and backpackers. Please burn toilet paper in burn pail provided.
Fees: 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
Open Season: June
Usage: Heavy
Best Season: July-August
Busiest Season: July-August
Restrictions: Every year, cabin reservations close on October 31, due to avalanche conditions.
Closest Towns:  Girdwood
Water: Not for drinking
Restroom: Pit
Operated By: USFS
Information Center: Glacier Ranger Station
907-783-3242
145 Forest Station Rd
Girdwood, AK 99587

General Information

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.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated in the Chugach Mountains near Crystal Lake at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. 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 (learn about bear safety). Dall sheep, mountain goats, marmots, arctic ground squirrels and white-tailed ptarmigan may be spotted on the rocky terrain surrounding the cabin.

Recreation

The Crow Pass Trail is a picturesque 24-mile section (Girdwood to Eagle River) of the Iditarod National Historic Trail offering alpine hiking, trail running and sightseeing opportunities. The Cabin is ~3 miles from the Girdwood Crowpass Traihead. The section to the Cabin is a popular trail for families, but does have steep switchbacks in places. Interesting points between the trailhead and the cabin include the Monarch Mine ruins and several waterfalls.

The trail continues past the cabin, revealing views of Raven Glacier and eventually the Eagle River. To continue the thru hike all the way to the Eagle River Nature Center (North Trailhead), it requires a substantial river crossing. The Eagle River Nature Center is a good resource for updated info on the river crossing. (907) 694-2108.

Glaciers and peaks around the cabin offer experienced climbers a challenging adventure. Hunting is possible, but the activity is tightly regulated in this area with limited permits available from the State of Alaska.

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hunting
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Historic & Cultural Site

General Notes:

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Cabin Rentals

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
61.05555556

  Longitude : 
-149.1169444