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Pass route / through-hike · Kenai Peninsula & Turnagain
Johnson Pass Trail
A gentle 23-mile Iditarod National Historic Trail segment between Granite Creek and Upper Trail Lake.
- Season
- Year-round (USFS). It can be muddy until mid-June, and snow lingers up high until then.
- Distance
- 23 mi one way (USFS)
- Elevation
- 1,000 ft of gain, with grades of 5–20% and a few steeper pitches (USFS)
- Cabins
- None on the trail
- Booking
- No cabins to book. USFS lists no permit for hiking it.
- Avalanche center
- CNFAC (the Girdwood/Turnagain and Summit Lake zones border the trail)
Overview
Johnson Pass is trail No. 310 on the Chugach National Forest and a segment of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. It's mostly forested for the first 4 mi from the north and the first 10 mi from the south, and open subalpine in between.
USFS lists hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and winter sports on it. In winter it's a long ski with avalanche terrain above you.
Rules, permits, and etiquette
- Motorized vehicles are closed May 1 to Nov 30. The first 3.9 mi from the north trailhead are closed to motorized use year-round. Stock is closed April 1 to June 30.
Access, trailheads, and fees
- North trailhead: At Seward Highway mile 64, east of Granite Creek Campground, turn south and go 1/4 mi on a signed gravel road. In winter, use the Johnson Pass Wagon Road at the west edge of the parking area instead of the hiking trail.
- South trailhead: Seward Highway mile 32.5, a signed pullout west of Upper Trail Lake. In winter, the Johnson Creek winter route starts 1 mi up Trail Creek from the end of frozen Upper Trail Lake and joins the trail at mile 7.88.
- Parking: USFS warns that trailhead lots may not be plowed in winter.
Hazards
- Avalanche terrain. In winter the trail passes under avalanche slopes. Check CNFAC, and see our avalanche page.
- Mud and snow. Expect mud and lingering snow at the pass until mid-June.
- Bears. Bears are common on the Kenai, so practice bear-country food storage.
- Creek crossings. USFS lists no fords here, but check current conditions with the Seward Ranger District.
Avalanche: before any snow-season trip, check our avalanche conditions page and the full CNFAC forecast.
Skills you need
- Multi-day backpacking or bikepacking
- Winter: avalanche awareness for the pass
Gear
A standard Alaska backpacking kit works. In winter, add avalanche rescue gear.
Our lists: Backpacking kit
Map: huts, cabins, and trailheads
Only the north trailhead is plotted, from USFS coordinates. USFS doesn't publish coordinates for the south trailhead here, so use the USFS trail map. Basemap: USGS The National Map. Don't navigate with this map.
- Johnson Pass North Trailhead (USFS): 60.72430, -149.27771 source