Horseshoe Lake, Denali

The walk starts at the Denali Visitor Center, at mile 1.5 of the Denali Park Road. Take the Taiga Trail from behind the visitor center, past the turn for the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, to the Horseshoe Lake trailhead by the railroad crossing on the Park Road. The trail climbs a short hill to a bench above the lake, then drops steeply, about 250 feet, to the water, where the loop begins. Our line goes round by the east side, past the short spur to the beaver dam overlook, to the north end beside the Nenana River, and back along the west shore under a steep slope. Return by the Taiga Trail.

It is 3.9 miles (6.2 km) there and back, loop included, with 500 feet (152 m) of climbing; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: good paths, with one steep hill down to the lake and back up.

Beavers have dammed the lake's outlet and are sometimes seen in the water, and moose come to feed. Keep at least 25 yards from moose and 300 yards from bears.

The park charges $15 a person, valid for seven days. A 2-mile version starts from the small car park at the railroad crossing. In winter the visitor center is shut and the Murie Science and Learning Center nearby takes its place.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.