winner creek trail hand tram

This is your reward at the end of the 2.5 mile hike out of the rear of Alyeska Resort. The only disappointment is the tram is closed for the winter. I guess I will need to return to Alaska in the summer!

Unfortunately, there was very poor snow this year so the trail was open. It is a very nice 2.5 mile hike up and back to the hand tram. There is more to hike in the summer but a winter hike is beautiful. The creek, bridges and trees take on a beauty in the winter that is worth seeing. It is not a strenuous hike to the tram. When we arrived, the tram was closed for the season on October 21. It is still a great hike.

For those who wish to venture off the beaten path (well, perhaps a poor choice of words since this is a fairly well-used trail) may I suggest the Winner Creek Hand Tram. You must either hike or bicycle (some rough trail riding here) a couple of miles just to get into the tram. Then it's bicep workout time. You must pull yourself across the gorge using a rope on a pulley. It's a good workout!

After stopping at the Crow Creek Mine, we decided to hike the Winner Creek Trail. There is a little sign about head high on the left side of the road maybe 150 yards south of their parking lot. Bear to the right on the trail until you come to the main trail (1/4 mile), then follow the signs to the Hand Tram. It is a steel cage that you pull across a gorge of rushing water 75' below. There were gloves left at each end which helped to pull the rope which brings the tram across about 200'. 2 or 3 people max can go across at a time. It is a strenuous pull, but not too hard. Everyone helps everyone get across. Go 1/4 mile further to a bridge which crosses the gorge also. From here you can work your way down to the waters edge and take pictures. If you continue another 2 miles, you wind up at the Alyeska Resort. We turned around and headed back the way we came. all totaled, we spent an hour and a half hiking, tramming and picture taking.