Elevation: 1620 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.2 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Access: Hike 2 miles along the China Poot Lake Trail. The Moose Valley trail is one of the more unique trails in the park. It is one of the best hikes in the park because it can be combined with other trails to make a very big loop. The hike is full of flowers, deciduous trees, stands of cottonwoods and alpine lakes. It is a classic Alaskan hike. It is common to see black bears in the first few miles of this trail. The trial begins at 267 feet and ends at just over 1600 feet. The trail begins along Two Loon Lake and offers outstanding views of China Poot Peak. At about one mile you come to Moose Valley Cabin. This is an old trapping/hunting cabin that should not be passed up. It is incredibly cool and offers a brief look into history. Before the cabin, the trail meanders among forest and meadows, crosses Moose creek and passes Moose Valley campground before it starts its climb into alpine. The climb is well graded and offers great views back into Moose Valley and the cirques on the opposite side of the valley. Finally, the trail will run through high alpine lakes and meadows for about a mile before its conclusion and junction with Poot Peek South Route Trail. If you dare take a swim out to the small island in the middle of the last small lake! It is almost heart stopping but is very refreshing on a hot summer day.
