The Crow Pass Crossing is divided into two virtually equidistant halves — but they are very different in character.

Immediately upon leaving the Crow Creek Trailhead, the route climbs steadily for 4 miles to the actual Crow Pass (note: all distances listed are approximate). The full race trail gains about 3,200 feet and approximately 2,200 feet of this comes in the initial climb.

Racers must now turn right at this sign.

One of the only trail markers you’ll see is a signing at a junction about 1.5 miles. New for 2024 by mandate of the US Forest Service, you will turn right (the sign pointing right says “Crow Pass & Cabin” as well as “Eagle River”). This will take you to the “High Traverse” route; at this sign, DO NOT continue straight on the traditional Mine Ruins race route). This junction will be marked on race day and a volunteer will be staged to make sure no one inadvertently follows the Mine Ruins route.

The High Traverse starts with a lengthy switchback to the right and then follows a long traverse heading up valley that brings you nearly to the Crow Pass cabin before it reconnects to the original trail. You will spent perhaps 40 percent of the duration from the start to the Pass on the High Traverse route.

Looking back from about Mile 2.5 of the High Traverse Route.

This change is estimated to add 3-5 minutes of travel time to the Pass (and up to a half-mile of distance) and therefore the cutoff for the Pass Checkpoint has been increased to 65 minutes (from 60).

Shortly before the Pass, runners will may see the Crow Pass Cabin on their left managed by the Chugach National Forest; the cabin and its outhouse is off-limits for racers. In some years, runners will encounter considerable snow en route to the pass.
In 2021, a public outhouse was installed in this area near the trail; racers may use that if necessary!

A racer must reach the Pass (elevation 3,642 feet) in less than 65 minutes to continue.

At the Pass begins a 7-mile descent to the Eagle River. Near Mile 4.5, racers exit the Chugach National Forest and enter Chugach State Park, where they will remain for the duration of the course. Early during the descent are 3-5 short but steeply sloped snowfields that must be navigated. Typically, a somewhat flat path has been created by previous travelers, but losing the path or one’s footing risks a potentially disastrous slide down a snowfield into a boulder field.

After descending the final snowfield (or the adjacent rocky path), racers pick up the main trail down Raven Creek Valley. The first major landmark is a bridge over Raven Gorge (Mile 6.4) followed by another over Turbid Creek at Mile 7.8. Then the brush gets higher and runners spend several miles running (or walking) on faith, as waist- to chest-high vegetation obscures the chunky-rocked trail underfoot (they’ll also encounter cow parsnip and stinging nettle).

Runners will first see the Eagle River between miles 10 and 11. Do not cross the river at first sight, but turn right and continue upriver to the Ford Site at Mile 11.8, where a volunteers will check your name off a roster and offer basic guidance if needed.

Crossing the river — estimated at 150-200 feet from bank to bank — is exhilarating, freezing, no big deal or potentially an ordeal, depending on the person, their experience, their height and the river level on any given day (the depth can range from shin to chest-deep). Some racers link arms or put their arms over each other’s shoulders for extra stability; volunteers are NOT there to escort racers across, but Alaska Mountain Rescue Group personnel will be staged slightly downriver with throw ropes if a racer is swept off their feet.

This four-minute video about fording the river is geared toward hikers but has valuable information about how to cross. 

Aim for the white post on the far side of the river. Once there, take a hard left, run for a few seconds and turn right onto a singletrack trail. Once across, racers try to regain feeling in their numb legs as sections of the course become less technical and mostly flat.

While bears can be encountered anywhere along the trail, the second half in the Eagle River Valley is more forested and thus more prominent bear country (bees are also more prevalent). Runners should stay alert and not wear headphones.

Thunder Gorge (Mile 12.9) can be deep and rapidly flowing; it has a rope to assist in crossing the creek. However, if you go downriver about 35 yards from the rope, the creek braids and becomes much shallower, so this may be a better crossing point.
After Thunder Gorge, there is a dry creek area marked by rock cairns, Twin Falls and its campsites, the infamous “Chutes and Ladders” section and a boulder field (with a secondary adjacent path, take your pick). Then you’ll reach Icicle Creek (Mile 17.8), where a bridge was built in 2020 that eliminates the need to wade across. 

The first major landmark after Icicle Creek is The Perch, a gathering spot for spectators. About four miles from the finish, it’s a steep slab of rock with a scenic view of the valley. A new, longer trail has been built that rises above and then drops down to The Perch. The old, more direct trail is now blocked and off-limits.

One mile later is Echo Bend (Mile 20.2), where a maze of trails managed by the Eagle River Nature Center begins. Stick to the main trail and signs that point to the Nature Center or Visitor Center.

The last few miles, despite a “rock garden” that can trip you up, are among the easiest terrain-wise, although the 20 miles in your legs make it feel less so.

Then the trail widens and when you first hit the boardwalk, you’re less than a mile from the finish. The last stretch is the final insult, a half-mile of uphill until the finish line and Nature Center appear with little warning.

Congrats, you’ve completed the 23-mile Crow Pass Crossing, no small feat!