Sediments Creek Hike

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This hike follows a well-developed use trail from campsites at the mouth of Sediments Creek to views from the plateau of Goat Ridge to the west. It is usually included as an option with a rafting trip on the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers; trips which end at Dry Bay in Glacier National Park, Alaska. A number of American and Canadian outfitters offer such trips, which are usually run between June and September.

About 250 yards westward up the outwash plain from the campsites, there is a use trail (usually marked with a small cairn) that goes right (north) into an aspen forest. Soon you'll leave the aspens and climb up an open hillside to a viewpoint on the ridge. You can enjoy the view from here and then turn back, or continue on.

Continuing on and up, the trail passes through a forest of old cottonwood trees, goes along the left side of a rock band and through some willows to a large, open pile of rocks - a good spot for a break. From here, the trail does a climbing traverse across an open slope of layered, highly-weathered metamorphic rocks, then turns directly uphill for the last steep climb through a drainage to the alpine plateau above.

From the plateau, the views north and south along the Tatshenshini River are spectacular. You can also go to the south edge of the plateau for a view directly up the Sediments Creek drainage. If you're lucky, you'll see mountain goats here or on the slopes across the creek. The clear use trail effectively disappears one you reach the plateau, so pay attention to where you arrived at the top so you can find your way back.

This area is famous for its grizzly bears, black bears, and mountain goats. You must practice "bear awareness" the whole time you are on this hike.