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Spaulding Trail
The Spaulding Trail is 3.1 miles long. It begins at Glacier Highway mile 12.3 and ends at Spaulding Meadows. It is extremely muddy during the warm seasons, but it becomes an important Nordic ski route in the winter. The trail starts on an old corduroy road, now covered in gravel, that leads to the first muskeg meadow. It then continues through a wooded area for about one mile to a second meadow. After another stand of trees, the trail ends in the third, large subalpine muskeg meadow. During winter the rolling hills of Auke Mountain and Spaulding Meadows offer great stretches of skiing opportunities with views of the Chilkat Mountains, upper Mendenhall Glacier, Lynn Canal, and Auke Bay. West Spaulding Meadows is closed to snowmobiles and other forms of motorized use. The eastern part of Spaulding Meadows is open to snow mobiles, but access is restricted to the Lake Creek Snowmobile Route. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, XC Skiing
At a Glance
| Reservations: | No reservations are available for this area. |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | 1/1 |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Closest Towns: | Juneau, AK |
| Water: | No |
| Restroom: | No |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
General Information
Directions: The Spaulding Trail begins at the parking area to the right just off Glacier Highway, Mile 12.3 (past the Auke Bay Post Office on the left and before Waydelich Creek). The Auk Nu Trail begins on the left at .8 mile Spaulding Trail.Activities
Day Hiking
The Spaulding Trail is 3.1 miles long. It begins at Glacier Highway mile 12.3 and ends at Spaulding Meadows. It is extremely muddy during the warm seasons, but it becomes an important Nordic ski route in the winter. The trail starts on an old corduroy road, now covered in gravel, that leads to the first muskeg meadow. It then continues through a wooded area for about one mile to a second meadow. After another stand of trees, the trail ends in the third, large subalpine muskeg meadow. During winter the rolling hills of Auke Mountain and Spaulding Meadows offer great stretches of skiing opportunities with views of the Chilkat Mountains, upper Mendenhall Glacier, Lynn Canal, and Auke Bay. West Spaulding Meadows is closed to snowmobiles and other forms of motorized use. The eastern part of Spaulding Meadows is open to snow mobiles, but access is restricted to the Lake Creek Snowmobile Route. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, XC Skiing| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
|---|
Viewing Plants
Viewing Scenery
Hike through lushly vegetated forest to the Spaulding Meadows which provide an expansive view of the Montana Creek drainage as well as Mt. McGinnis and Mt. Stroller White.| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
|---|
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
This trail is steep in some areas. Many people hike up carrying their skis and then ski at the top of the meadows. Hiking skins attached to skis can aid the uphill skiing. Back country skis are recommended. The skis should provide some control in minor downhill conditions and floatation in powder snow.| Difficulty Level: | Difficult |
|---|
Location
Area/Length :
3.1 miles
Elevation :
40 - 1840
