Aspen Interpretive Trail
This is a community maintained trail in Glennallen with interesting ecosystems and good views.
Guide Sections
Use Aspen Interpretive Trail's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Aspen Interpretive Trail Details
Difficulty
Open
Distance
1 mile
Estimated time
1 hour
Region
N/A
The Aspen Interpretive Trail is part of the Glennallen Community Trails system. This interpretive trail passes through three widely varied ecosystems, all within the boreal forest. Explore the aspen/white spruce forest and pay attention to post-fire forest succession here; these stands burn every 50-150 years. Wander through the black spruce forest, where it is cooler and wetter, making it a great home for mosses. Finally, walk through sedge meadows that grow in poorly drained areas. This trail is not maintained by the National Park Service and is located west of the main visitor's center. To reach it, turn off at mile 187 of the Glenn Highway and take Co-op Drive north to a marked trailhead. The trail is lollipop shaped, and there are options to take other trails to make your hike longer (by using the yellow blazed winter ski trail and blue blazed ATV trail). This is a popular trail and provides views of Glennallen. It is marked by a red aspen leaf.