Crow Pass is a popular place to hike in Girdwood, but the full Crow Pass Trail is a 21-mile one-way and takes several days of backpacking. Luckily, Crystal Lake in Alaska is just three miles up the pass and makes a fantastic destination for a day trip in Alaska. There is a public-use cabin available for reservation if you’d like to spend longer in the fresh mountain air. Head into the Chugach Mountains to try this trail if you haven’t yet! The views are postcard-worthy with Dall sheep and mountain goats, alpine meadows, and turquoise pools. Check out the map and description of this amazing trail in this handy PDF trail guide from Alaska DNR.

Head out to explore the Chugach Mountains on the Crow Pass Trail. The first three miles to Crystal Lakes are perfect for a moderate day hike and the entire way, you will be met with breathtaking scenery.
Daniel Mitchell | AllTrails
Hiking in the area is best done between June and September, and not recommended in winter due to a high danger of avalanches. It is recommended to stay on the trail for your own safety when hiking in these mountains.
Zelmani Y. | AllTrails
At about one mile up the trail, you will find the remains of the Monarch Mine, active from 1909 to 1938. The ruins have been rusting into the tundra ever since and are a reminder of the Gold Rush history of the area.
Jon Scully | AllTrails
After you pass the mine, the trail forks. Take the lower route and wind through a rocky gorge with a series of waterfalls, especially in the early summer and after heavy rainfall.
Daniel Mitchell | AllTrails

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Wildlife is abundant in this wilderness area. In the initial miles of wooded area, brown bears and moose are sometimes seen. Stay in groups and make noise to avoid startling encounters. Learn about bear safety here.
Jon Scully | AllTrails
Crystal Lakes are a series of bright, clear lakes nestled in the alpine meadows at 3 miles up the trail. There is a cabin for public use available to reserve for overnight trips.
Brian Bradley | AllTrails
This trail is alive with wildflowers May through August and wild berries in late August and September. Look out for mountain goats, Dall sheep, hoary marmots, arctic ground squirrels and white-tailed ptarmigan at the higher elevations.
Zelmani Y. | AllTrails
Raven Glacier lies at mile 4 of the trail, a bit beyond the lakes. If you stay the night, hike up to the cabin, settle in, and continue to the glacier for an evening adventure.
Zelmani Y. | AllTrails
Head out to to see the beautiful Crystal Lakes and check out the variety of trails in the Girdwood area. The Chugach Mountains are always a wonderful place to escape to in Alaska.
Daniel Mitchell | AllTrails

Ready to head out on this trail right now? Book the Crow Pass Public Use Cabin and you can hang out for the night and wake up to the glorious mountain views!

Is chasing turquoise lakes your hobby? Check out This One Destination Has The Absolute Bluest Water In Alaska. Also, check out these 11 Magnificent Trails You Have To Hike In Alaska Before You Die.

Have you hiked Crow Pass? Tell us about it in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Tori Jane | June 08, 2022

Which alpine trail in Alaska is the best one?  

Alpine trails are trails that pass through difficult, mountainous terrain, and Alaska is full of ‘em. The Savage Alpine Trail, for example, is a 4.1-mile point-to-point trail nearby beautiful Denali National Park. It’s challenging, but it’s worth it; the incredible scenery aside, it’s home to an outrageous amount of wildlife. Sometimes it’ll even get closed down because of bear sightings (but don’t worry, you’re still safe)! It’s one of those stunningly amazing trails that really helps us appreciate the incredible natural beauty of Alaska. There’s no place like it, that’s for certain.  

What are some absolutely beautiful lakes in Alaska?  

Oh, goodness. How are we to choose? With more than 3,100 named lakes and ponds speckled all over the (enormous) state, Alaska’s also home to un-named lakes and ponds (about three million of them, actually). Some do tend to stick out above others in terms of sheer beauty and amazingness, though; one of our favorite absolutely beautiful lakes in Alaska is Lake Clark, within the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The park is secluded – it requires a plane or a boat to reach it – and it’s that seclusion that makes this park so incredible. The lake is a crystalline aquamarine color, and the reflections of the surrounding mountains are the cherry on top.  

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