Hunter Access
In-Progress Projects
Curry to K'esugi Ridge Connector – Denali State Park
Coordinates: 62.596180, -150.180360
Game Management Unit: 13E
Land Manager: Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Description
The Denali State Park trail system supports a broad range of user groups that access the area for hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and other recreational activities. The K'esugi Ridge trail network lies within Denali State Park and is quickly growing in popularity. Based on data collected by Alaska State Parks, guided wildlife viewing hikes in the park have increased 15% between 2015 and 2017 with just over 3,900 individuals participating in those hikes in 2017 alone.
Purpose
Parking is limited at the Ermine Hill and Little Coal Creek Trailheads, leaving the larger Byers Lake Campground facility to serve as the primary staging area for the K'esugi Ridge trail network. The increasing popularity of the trail, especially around hunting season, limits hunter success in an otherwise productive area due to high foot traffic and parking limitations. From Byers Lake, nearly all users follow the Cascade Trail to connect with K'esugi Ridge, resulting in concentrated traffic levels passing through a single point and reducing the chances of hunter success.
This project will establish a trail connector between Curry Ridge Trail and the K'esugi Ridge trail network. The Curry Ridge Trailhead is located at the K'esugi Ken Campground facility just south of K'esugi Ridge. This new facility boasts increased parking capacity and will provide users with an alternative to the Byers Lake facility as an access point. The expanded trail system will also provide access to a nearby backcountry area that has previously been difficult to access, allowing hunters improved harvest opportunities.
Project Partners
- Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation