Stiles Creek Trail - Fairbanks, AK

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Stiles Creek Trail


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Stiles Creek Trail begins at mile 31.6 Chena Hot Springs Road and ascends gently to a ridge line paralleling the road. The trail is open to off-road vehicles. The trail inclines slightly and intersects with the Winter Trail. At the fork at mile marker 1, turn right to continue on the Stiles Creek Trail marked with red diamonds. To the left is the Colorado Creek Trail, marked with blue diamonds. Hikers will climb one-half mile. At the top of the hill, bear right to continue on the trail. To the left is an overlook of Colorado Creek.

The trail levels out and then climbs softly to a hilltop view of Chena Dome. The next five miles of the trail consist of a series of small ridges and saddles. Mile marker 7 provides a flat, open area with a great view of the Chena Dome Trail. At mile 7.5 there is a trail on the left which leads to the rock tors. The trail travels to the bottom of the ridge, then up to the tors.

Beginning at mile 7.7, the trail follows a very sharp slope to the Stiles Creek Cabin. At mile 7.9, turn right to the cabin or continue straight if hikers wish to bypass it. The use of Stiles Creek Cabin is by reservation only. From mile 7.9 to 9.1, the trail is flat with a gentle uphill rise. Mile 9.1 provides an overlook of the Chena Dome Trail. At mile 9.1, the trail begins a 3.5 mile trek over a series of ridges and saddles.

At mile 12.8, there is a scenic overlook, a potential overnight camping site. From there, the trail continues downhill and flattens out. It intersects again with the Winter Trail which is marked with orange diamonds. Take a left turn to reach the trailhead at the 36.5 mile shooting range on Chena Hot Springs Road, or turn right to go back to the Colorado Creek Trailhead.