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| 123 |    Photos Map |
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| Last Updated:
July 07, 2010
Please help this site! Since I no longer live here, it is important that users verify the data. If this date is longer than a year ago please email me and let me know the information below is still valid. If I don't get verification on this trail, I may remove it from the site. |
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Difficulty |
Mostly uphill, but not dispiriting, so I'd say moderately difficult. This is a long day hike; give yourself 5-6 hours. | |
Connects With |
Near Point | |
Miles One Way |
5 miles, including the Prospect Heights Trail (or Basher Trail). | |
Miles
from
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In town, about a 20 minute drive from downtown. | |
General Vicinity |
Chugach State Park | |
Season |
June to September ***** The following is a contribution from GQ Punk: I noticed that this hike does not come up when you search the winter season for trails. I have hiked this in the winter and the trail is well traveled and pretty easy. Just make sure and bring some crampons then it will be a lot easier, but is doable without them depending on the weather. ***** The following is a contribution from James Wright on February 24, 2009: I noticed that wolverine is not considered a winter hike. I was
hoping you would change that as I think a lot of people are missing out
on a great trail. A friend and I ran up wolverine today. It was
beautiful blue skies, great conditions, a little slippery but totally
hikable. We glissaded down to the base of the saddle and hiked the rest
of the way out. We only saw one other person the entire time. ***** The following is a contribution from Ross Timm: The
danger on Wolverine is 1st the overflow on the approach - it
can be built up clear ice in areas, ice grippers strongly
recommended - and, more importantly, the lateral traverse of the lower
ridge approach after you get on the side trail and get up past the stand
of hemlocks. This is a north facing slope with wind driven hard packed
snow that has a clear slide fall of over a a few hundred yards in many
areas, without clearly visible stopping points until the valley shrubs.
I have traversed this ridge and been quite scared with just ice
grippers. The hard packed snow does not allow trail making unless
softened, and when hard packed it has shown signs of slab cracking while
crossing it. I have gone across in crampons and felt much safer, but the
danger still exists that if you fall you had better be prepared for an
arrest. I am continuously amazed seeing people cross these kind of long
fall 35-45 degree slopes of hard packed snow with only trail runners on-
no traction, no poles even, let alone ice axes. Perhaps they should read
my account of my long fall down flat top in similar conditions, with a
similar lack of traction devices or a proper thought of arresting my
potential fall. I have since turned away from similar snow packed
traverses, most recently towards the top of the valley between Flat
Top and Peak Two, because there was only one way to cross, a lateral
traverse across a long hard packed steep snow field, and we only had ice
grippers. Perhaps I am psyching myself out, but those who are only
psyched to get to the top and have not thought it out properly are
really tempting fate. Note from the Webmaster: in the interest of erring on the side of safety, I will continue to list this hike as a spring/summer. |
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Description |
This is a great day
hike and the view at the peak (one of highest in the park) is spectacular. Going 360 degrees,
you can see: Canyon Valley, Williwaw
Valley, O'Malley, Flat
Top, the Chugach Mountains, the Kenai Mountains, the Anchorage Bowl, Cook
Inlet, Mt. Susitna (Sleeping Lady), the Alaska
Range, and the Talkeetna Mountains. The Mountain itself resembles a huge bowl (almost like a
moon crater). Some people walk along the ridge around the whole perimeter. |
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Important Information |
Once you pass the
creek in the lower valley on the way to the trail, there is no water anywhere. Bring an adequate supply with you. There are a whole lot of criss-crossing trails before you get to the Wolverine Trail proper from the Prospect Heights Trailhead. You basically want to head down the valley over the bridge, then curve around and back up. You should see the sign on the right as as you level off. If you're half way up and feel you can't make it, you have the option of just hiking the moraine on your right or if Wolverine seems to daunting, head further along the Prospect Heights Trailhead, and hike to Near Point. |
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Etc. |
The Prospect Heights Parking Lot requires a $5 parking fee (bring exact amount). The price for an annual parking pass is $40. You can purchase a pass at the Federal Building at 4th and F or the Atwood Building on 7th and E, 12th Floor. | |
