The Goat Trail: Navigating Wrangell-St. Elias’ Wild Heart
Ten years ago, Backpacker Magazine threw the Goat Trail into the spotlight, naming it the quintessential backcountry route in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It’s now a legend—and for good reason. Panoramic views, glaciated peaks, and rugged adventure make this roughly 25-mile trek a badge of honor for those who crave true wilderness. This summer, I traded the desk for a week in the wild, linking up with friends to hike the route from Wolverine to Skolai.
But don’t let the name fool you. The Goat Trail is no neatly marked path. It’s an intermittent trail, etched by the hooves of mountain goats and fading in and out at some of the most inopportune times. If you’re here, you’re navigating—not just walking. You’ll need solid orienteering skills, a well-thought-out route, and a hefty dose of humility.
The Terrain: Beauty and Brutality
Four days, 25 miles. That’s what it took my group to weave through this rugged corner of Wrangell-St. Elias. It’s not the distance that slows you down; it’s the complexity.
Route Finding: Sometimes the shortest distance is not the quickest
River Crossings: Glacially-fed, bone-chilling, and relentless.
Rock Fields: Unstable and ready to keep you light on your feet.
Exposed Cliffs: A full-body experience in mindfulness, not for the faint of heart
Steep Climbs & Descents: Your legs will curse you, but the views are well worth it
Amid the challenges, you’ll earn every laugh, you’ll eat the best tasting ramen you’ve ever had, and you’ll be surrounded by incredible wildlands - Butte-like plateaus loom over high alpine wildflowers, snow-capped peaks stretch across the entire horizon, and glaciers snake through valleys. With a little luck, you might just catch sight of a mountain goat, or thirty!
The Infamous Cliffs
If there’s one part of the Goat Trail that demands your full attention, it’s the exposed scree cliff section. About halfway through the route, this half-mile stretch isn’t just intimidating; it’s a test of nerve and skill. For those with a fear of heights or in unfavorable weather conditions, this section could be impassable.
Our group took a nail-biting hour to traverse the cliffs, carefully placing every step on the narrow, unstable goat path. The drop-offs are steep, the footing can be unstable, and the consequences are severe. It’s critical to assess your group’s confidence and conditions before attempting this section. Since it’s roughly in the middle of the route, turning back is still an option if anyone feels unsafe.
Reflections From the Trail
The Goat Trail gave us a week of pure wilderness immersion. Early in the trip, we spotted a grizzly bear and her cub over a mile away. Thanks to the open terrain, we watched them from a safe distance, marveling at their calm, unhurried pace, and altered our route to ensure appropriate spacing.
The Wolverine Plateau, once an ancient seabed, offered its own treasures. We found fossils of nautiluses embedded in rock—a stunning reminder of the earth’s history underfoot. Marmots kept us entertained with their antics, and Alaska cotton grass made for a whimsical resting spot where we could roll and soak in the wildflowers. Over the week, we identified more than 20 species, their colors popping against the backdrop of endless green.
The trip wasn’t without its challenges. Route-finding demanded constant attention; there were dead ends and backtracks, but there was always a way forward with a little creative thinking. A grassy ramp became our saving grace during a long, gradual ascent, its soft incline guiding us gently up the mountain to camp.
I’ve never thought of myself as someone scared of heights, but the cliff section was truly terrifying for me. With the support of my friends, I managed to keep my fear in check and push through, step by step and breath by breath, but I did cry tears of relief when it was all over!
Weather dictated much of our rhythm. High river levels on the second-to-last day forced us to pause, but by the following morning, the waters receded, and we could safely continue. Sunny skies followed us nearly every day, until the morning of our pickup. A weather delay turned into hours spent playing games in the tent while rain ripped outside, capped off by a rainbow breaking through the clouds as our plane arrived. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable journey.
Why the Goat Trail? Why Not?
This trail—or lack of one—offers the kind of raw, unfiltered Alaska that lingers in your bones long after you’ve left. But as I’ve learned in my years exploring this park, Wrangell-St. Elias doesn’t have a single “must-do.” It’s 13.2 million acres of endless possibility, with options to suit every flavor of adventure.
If the Goat Trail is booked or not your style, don’t fret. Here are a few personal favorites:
Allie’s Valley: A quiet retreat that feels like stepping into a postcard
Fan Glacier: Ice, rock, and the finest beach Alaska can offer a hundred miles from the coast
Iceberg Lake: A wild gem perfect for circuits and longer point to point routes
Bremner: A historic mining site that connects to some of the more grueling routes in the park
Lakina: If packrafting is your thing, this offers some of the sportiest whitewater in the park
Wrangell-St. Elias is vast—intimidatingly so—but Wrangell Mountain Air makes it accessible. With over 30 years of flying experience and a knack for matching adventurers to their ideal destinations, we’re your partner in exploration. From logistics to airstrips, we’ve got you covered.
So if you’re dreaming of the Goat Trail or something off the beaten path, give us a call. The wilderness is waiting, and there’s no better way to see it than from the air… and on foot.
Ready to Fly Over Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?
With over 30 years of safe, unforgettable journeys, our experienced pilots are your trusted guides to America’s largest national park. Experience the unparalleled beauty of Wrangell St.-Elias National Park with Wrangell Mountain Air. From flightseeing tours to backcountry adventures, we’ll fly you to Alaska’s most remote and stunning destinations. We make wilderness accessible!
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