Pinnell Mountain Trail

Sweeping mountain vistas and brilliant wildflower displays under the unceasing light of the midnight sun.... the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail, one of Interior Alaska’s premier hiking trails, offers an unforgettable experience whether your visit lasts a few hours or a few days. Located 100 miles (161 km) northeast of Fairbanks, this 27-mile (44 km) trail traverses a series of alpine ridge tops entirely above timberline. The Pinnell Mountain Trail is marked with rock cairns as it crosses open tundra with views north to the Yukon River and south to the Alaska Range. Wooden posts along the trail show the mileage from the start at Eagle Summit (milepost 107 on the Steese Highway) to the trail’s end at Twelvemile Summit (milepost 85.5, Steese Highway). Two emergency shelters provide refuge from storms, but hikers should come prepared for unpredictable, dramatic weather.