The Dixie Pass trail gains over 5,000 feet as it leads you into the alpine. The views are world-class, and there's always a good shot at spotting wildlife on this hike. It's best to give yourself 3 or 4 days to fully explore this area, but an overnight is definitely better than not going at all. There are no support facilities here, so bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and supplies because there are plenty of great camping spots near water sources once you reach the alpine. You can either buy a bear-proof food canister at REI in Anchorage, or sign one out at the NPS headquarters on the Richardson Highway in Copper Center. It's not recommended to camp anywhere in this area without a sure way to keep your food away from bears.
Dixie Pass Trail
Distance
9 miles
Elevation Gain
3750 ft.
Difficulty
Moderate
Getting There
Coordinates
Latitude: 61.6306Longitude: -143.9033
At mile 14.5 of the McCarthy Rd, on the north side of the road, take the turn off onto Kotsina Rd (medium to high clearance vehicles recommended). About 3.8 miles down, the trailhead will be just past the trailhead for Nugget Creel Trail, in a small clearing on the left side of the road. The trail begins on the right side of the road.