Castle Peak Route

A short flight over Kennicott Glacier takes you to a small airstrip in Hidden Lake Valley. Guarded at its end by an ice-damned lake which drains annually, this canyon offers amazing scenery. Steep limestone cliffs, cut by waterfalls, offer bands of Dall sheep and mountain goats safety from the canyon's predators - wolves, wolverine, foxes, grizzlies and black bears. The route ascends this narrow canyon to a 5400' pass and descends into the Lakina River. While in the pass, visit one of several blue-green alpine lakes and enjoy the view of steep, southeast facing Castle Peak (10,190'). From here, the route takes you down steep, rocky, scree covered slopes to the landing strip on a gravel bar of the Lakina River.

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Streams: Be prepared for river crossings.

Terrain: This hike involves extended side-hill traversing of steep grassy and rocky slopes.

Here are some other trips of similar difficulty.

• Wolverine Circumnavigation
• Skolai to Wolverine
• Nutzotin Traverse