Denali National Park Visitor Center to Bison Gulch Hike

This is a very difficult and long hiking adventure, but offers some extremely unique and fantastic views of the frontcountry of Denali National Park. I hiked this trail during the last week in August and it was probably one of the best days for hiking I have had in Denali this year. The fall colors were out, the air was cool and there wasn't any rain! This is a long trail from the Visitor Center in the national park to the summit of Mt. Healy, and then back down to Bison Gulch. This is a combination of a few trails, but this route will give you some amazing scenery and opportunities for wildlife. The trail begins along the same route as Mt. Healy Overlook Trail, but continues on up to Mt. Healy, then down to Bison Gulch where it ends. You will see and experience areas in Denali that very few people have been to. There are opportunities for viewing wildlife, seeing vast tundra landscapes, and climbing to the top of the beloved Mt. Healy. Climbing to the top of Mt. Healy requires a minor rock scramble and might not be for everyone since it is a little exposed and very steep on some of the sides. Use caution and bring layers as you will be gaining 3800 ft. This is bear and moose country so always be prepared for an encounter. Bring plenty of food and water! This trail requires a shuttle system since you will begin and end in different locations. Park a car at the Bison Gulch Bridge pull-out and then have someone bring you to the Denali National Park Visitor Center. Or you could simply have two cars and park at both locations. You will begin at the Denali National Park Visitor Center and hike towards the west side of the parking lot and follow the trail markers to get to the Mt. Healy Overlook Trailhead. Just follow the trail which winds around for a bit until you come to the bridge which crosses over the creek and you are on your way to the top! This trail gets steep and there are some switchbacks but overall it isn't too strenuous and it ends at the top of the ridgeline and offers an incredible overlook of the entrance to the national park. You will know you are at the end of Mt. Healy Overlook portion of the hike when you come to the sign which says, "Mt. Healy Overlook. End of Maintained trail." This sign is at about the 2.2 mile marker. From here the trail will gain lots of elevation for a few more miles. It is easy to get discouraged during this part since you can see that you have another 4+ miles of steep climbing ahead of you but take your time, rest often, drink water and enjoy the surroundings. Be aware it may be very windy in this area too. At about the 3 mile marker the trail will continue to go up a rocky tower. I didn't go up this trail but I cut around the southern side of it and hiked on what I thought was a moose or sheep trail. Going up to the top of the rocky tower doesn't save you any time and you will expend more energy going up and over this tower until you come to the alpine meadow. I rested here for a little bit and continued hiking up the side of the mountain on the grassy part until the trail transitioned into rocks and dirt. It is important to always remember that the trail doesn't exist in certain parts of this hike. Once at the top, take a look in the next valley over. You can see that it is vastly different from the green grassy one you were just hiking in. It is still really cool though! The trail now follows the ridgeline up to the next top point which you can see in the distance to the north. It is more rocky from now on out and you will also be leaving all the blueberry bushes behind for now. You can see that you have a lot of rocky climbing to go still. It was here that it got really windy and the trail was a little hard to see in parts but overall I just kept following the ridgeline. There is also a cave right next to the trail on a larger outcropping of rock along the way. Finally you will arrive at one of the highest points on this hike! But, you are still about 1.5 miles to go until you are at the actual summit of Mt. Healy. From here you will need to follow the ridge to the west until you join up with the next ridgelines. You can see Mt. Healy in the distance - it is the peak with the abrupt edge. The ridgeline for the first part is relatively flat. You will see some cool stuff along the way such as a big rock tower. It is a 60+ foot tower and makes for an easy-to-recognize landmark (63deg46'6.83''N, 148deg59'44.91''W). From here stay on the north side of the ridge but not going too far down in elevation. This area is full of chocolate colored rocks. This area wasn't too steep, but if you look to the north you can see that it slopes down a thousand feet. Keep hiking the ridge until you come to two National Park markers. They are just two iron bars that were hammered into the ground. From this point it is about another 1/2 mile until you come to the summit. The trail is even harder to see but it isn't too bad as long as you just hike towards the top. There may appear to be the summit but it is actually hidden behind an outcropping. I hiked to the left of this, slowly gaining in elevation and then I came to the top of the Castle (Mt. Healy, sometimes called The Castle or Castle Rock). There were some large unstable rocks during this part which I accidentally knocked loose. Once at the top you need to be very careful! The eastern side is a 400 ft sheer drop so make sure you and others you are with stay away from this edge. The views are simply incredible! When I had rested long enough and took in the amazing views, I carefully hiked off the Castle just to the base of it and hiked north to begin my descent to Bison Gulch. The trail here also comes and goes so you may have to be vigilant to find the best route. Once you are near the bottom you will come to an area where you will see trees and bushes again. I have found moose in this area so try and be aware of your surroundings. You have finally finished this trail! The Bison Gulch "parking lot" is big enough for many cars and RVs. Hiking Mt. Healy is my favorite hike in Alaska. The landscape looks so alien and mysterious and on clear days you could even see Denali in the distance. I would recommend this hike to anyone who wants to do a hard full-day hike but doesn't or can't go deep in the national park.