Erie Lake and the Knoll

The trail to Erie Lake and the Knoll begins in Kennecott. From the Visitor Center, walk through town north on the Root Glacier/ Erie Mine Trail until the road splits. Here you will stay straight, go over Bonanza Creek, and hike alongside the terminal moraines of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. Ignore the turnoff for the Root Glacier Access Trail on the left (although note that there are campsites, an outhouse, and food lockers available here). You'll have to cross the Amazon Creek drainage, which may or may not have water flowing in it. Stay on the trail as it meanders in and out of brush atop the glacial moraine. As the trail begins to peter out, you will need to hike down the lateral moraine to the Root Glacier. Just pick your way down as there is no established trail here. You'll see the Erie mine bunkhouse up on the hillside to your right and you may see some large rock cairns marking one option to get down (if you reach the Erie Mine tram cables you have missed it and must go back. Trying to get down from this point or beyond can be treacherous due to sheer drop-offs.) Once you've made it down the moraine, follow the trough between the glacier and the moraine, walking along the rocks, until it opens up to the glacier's ice. If it is cold and cloudy, do not attempt to walk on the ice without crampons. If it is warm and sunny, it is possible to proceed without crampons if you have good traction. After six miles, Erie Lake will be on your right. This lake was formed by the glacier, making it a joukaloup. There are some nice backcountry campsites here. To reach the knoll, hike around Erie Lake on the ice several hundred yards to the left of the lake. You will see a large, grassy hill appear to the east as you look north to Stairway Icefall. The route-finding can be tricky here as you will need to cross the ice, the rocky edge of the glacier, and the lateral moraine. Aim for a few hundred yards to the right of a waterfall and climb the hillside here, staying to the right of the cascade. Hike along the stream, watching for a trail that leads away from the left side of the stream. It will take you to a great campsite on top of the knoll (3800 feet), with phenomenal views of the Stairway Icefall. You can explore for a day or two in this area and then retrace your steps back the way you came. This route is appropriate for advanced backcountry hikers with navigation skills. This is a remote and unforgiving landscape. Beware of dynamic creek levels and bears; proper food storage is required and bear-resistant food containers are available from park visitor centers.