Early in the season, head here. This trail is haphazardly maintained and routefinding on its upper stretches can (and does) prove difficult. But for good routefinders and those who don't mind an occasional deadfall, it's a good early-season route to the high country of Alaska Lake. Even hikers who opt not to push on to Alaska Lake will enjoy the valley hike as it explores the creek basin and its multitude of beaver ponds and flower-filled clearings.

The route follows the road as it heads north, deeper into the Gold Creek valley. Land on both sides of this road is privately owned, so don't wander off it for the first 0.5 mile. Past the end of the maintained road you'll find yourself on an old, abandoned miners track. This fading roadway peters out in another 0.25 mile, leaving you on a wide single-track trail. The path moves north along the floor of the valley, sometimes stretching out through thick forest, sometimes running along the foot of the slope in the dense vine maple brambles that clog avalanche chutes.

At 2 miles from the second gate the trail enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and a mile farther on you'll cross Gold Creek via a rough-hewn footlog. Look for beaver activity along the creek--spring snowmelt frequently blows out the beaver dams, but they are rebuilt quickly, and the chisel-toothed animals have left their mark on plenty of alders and aspens along the creek shores.

The trail crosses Silver Creek at 3.5 miles. This creek tumbles down from the flanks of Kendall Peak to join Gold Creek. Above this point the trail is frequently brushy and sometimes hard to follow early in the year.

At 4.5 miles cross Alaska Creek and just beyond, in a flower-filled meadow, start the long, steep climb to Alaska Lake. If the climb proves too rough, turn back at the meadow. Note: The trail to the lake is frequently eroded by the ever-present water that rushes down from the heights, and dense vegetation--feeding on that same plentiful water--crowds the trail tread nearly into oblivion at times.