Gold Creek to Alaska Lake

Begin at the Gold Creek Trailhead. For 1/4 mile head counterclockwise around the paved Gold Creek Pond Trail. @0.25 mile: Follow the signs to the junction with the unpaved Gold Creek Trail, which follows a road through private property over a mile before entering the national forest and becoming a trail. Please respect the folks who live along this road and stick to the designated trail.@2.5 miles: Enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Continue up the Gold Creek Valley through deep second-growth forest, open talus fields and several large avalanche tracks, enjoying occasional glimpses of Gold Creek.@4 Miles: Cross an especially large avalanche path from 2007. It crossed Gold Creek with such velocity that the snow and debris went up the west side of the valley, knocking down trees that fell uphill, rather than down. From here the trail becomes more difficult.@4.3 miles: You'll need to cross Gold Creek. In early season it may not be possible or safe due to spring runoff causing dangerous high water. Luckily, there are a few good campsites along the creek, to wait out a high-water time, or to simply take a break and call it a day.@5 miles: The junction for Alaska Lake follows the left trail, which climbs one steep mile through vine maple, alder and talus to Alaska Lake at 4,230 feet. The righthand fork stays lower, proceeding a little less than two miles up the main valley, climbing through avy path greenery and forest to the base of Alaska Mountain. From here, a steep and hazardous boot path on a staircase of rocks and roots climbs to Joe Lake at 4,624 feet.