Skookum Volcano Trail

This primitive trail leads past extraordinary geologic formations and tops out at a 5800-foot mountain pass. To reach the Skookum Volcano Trail, start hiking at the Nabesna Road trailhead at mile 36.8. You will walk up an alluvial fan on gravel and cobble surfaces, before following a creekbed that will likely involve shallow creek crossings. Be prepared to get wet and wear footwear that will protect your feet and have good tread. A mile from the trailhead, the creek splits; follow the drainage that heads left to get to the top of the pass. The trail becomes less visible once in the tundra, but you can hike to the top of the pass for panoramic views of surrounding hillsides. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including Dall sheep, up here. From the pass, simply retrace your route for a 5 mile roundtrip hike. Alternatively, continue over the pass and follow an unmarked creekbed south to meet back up with Nabesna Road at mile 38.3. Go left on the road for 1.4 miles to reach your starting point. Although there are some cairns to mark the trail up to the top of the pass, it is important that you have route-finding and navigation skills because the trail is not signed and conditions of cairns change from year to year. This trail displays fantastic examples of volcanic geology. It leads through a deeply eroded volcanic area where rhyolite, dacite, lava flows, and erosion-resistant dikes are visible.