Level: Intermediate
Length: 14 mi (22.5 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: -
Total: 12 riders
Mountain Biking Gold Mint Glacier
#18 of 63 mountain bike trails in Alaska
#3,839 in the world
A very old trail originally used to access a couple gold mines back in the valley near the base of the glacier. The first .5 mile of trail has been ‘improved’ for the ‘hundred yard hikers’ but after that it turns back to natural surface with some structural improvements here & there. Starting just at treeline the thick brush soon gives way to shorter, thinner brush increasing the views around you as you climb up through this magnificent valley. Elevation gain is very gradual and steady throughout the ride. Starting at about mile 2 you are witness to an incredible network of beaver dams & ponds all the way up to about mile 6.5 . The farther you ride up this trail the less traveled and more challenging it becomes, there are a few water hazards and a few hike-a-bike spots around large rocks, etc. All in all some great Alaskan singletrack. Wildflowers are very abundant at the right times of year and you can hear numerous ground squirrels and marmots whistling at you as you ride by.
First added by AK_Dan on Sep 1, 2009. Last updated May 9, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From Palmer or Wasilla find the south end Hatcher Pass highway (near Fishhook) and head north, just past mile 13 and the closed down Motherlode Lodge turn right into the trailhead parking/picnic area.
7 miles of Mud! Didn't expect this at all. Lots of rocks small hills and mud. Bring your power washer and weed wacker. Trail is not groomed for mountain bikes beyond 3 mile mark.
| ThankI guess you can call it intermediate.....very beautiful ride! It's a bit overgrown making difficult to see the trail. Also a few head sweepers from limbs drooping over the trail. You will spend time walking it, rocky and technical from 1.5 miles on. Lots of fun nonetheless......now if I can find the Tylenol ......
| ThankOverall not a very difficult ride. There were a few spots after mile 4 where the trail was more difficult due to numerous jagged rocks in the trail. There aren't really any steep sections either. I was able to stay in my middle ring for the entire ride. It was fun to do because of the scenery but overall an average ride.
| ThankMy favorite local trail. going in is a gradual 1-5% grade for miles. I rated it more dificult because it's in a glacier valley with lots of half buried rocks and roots to avoid, but its really an easy trail with quite a bit of technical riding thrown in for more fun. Prettiest scenery yet and coming out is FAST FAST FAST!
| Thank