Dude Mountain

The trail begins in a recently harvested timber unit, and quickly gains elevation, then heads through a dense forest before opening into muskeg and alpine meadows. For about the first mile, the trail is a combination of boardwalk and gravel tread. Some of the boardwalk in this section is leaning and slippery, so hikers should take caution. After the gravel and boardwalk ends, the final section of trail follows a narrow ridge to the summit of Dude Mountain. The final section of trail is unimproved, steep, and may be covered with snow until late summer. The trail offers an exhilarating alpine hiking experience that can be accessed quickly from the road system. Hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding peaks including Brown Mountain and Diana Mountain as well as the Tongass Narrows. During the summer season, the muskegs and alpine meadows bloom with a variety of wildflowers. There are blueberry, salmonberry, and huckleberry bushes present in the lower section of trail during the summer months. Scan the surrounding ridges and peaks for mountain goats once you have reached the summit.