savage alpine trail

There are very few established hiking trails in Denali National Park but of the few, this one is probably the best and much more scenic than the Mt Healy trail. The views of Mt McKinley and the Alaska Range is absolutely breathtaking for the majority of the trail. The trail starts from near Savage River Campground or the parking area near Mile 15. This means you can drive in on your own if you want, without needing to purchase a shuttle bas ticket. At both ends the trial is clearly marked and overall, the trail is easy to follow and well maintained. From the Mile 15 parking area, the trail is steep with switch backs for the first 10 -15 minutes. However, if you want a phenomenal view of Mt Kinley, the first view point will make the switch backs completely worth it. The view of the mountain as you climb higher on the trail is also amazing but you get the biggest bang for your buck at that first view point so if the view is what you are after, don't feel compelled to do the whole trail.Overall, I would classify this hike at a moderate difficulty with some strenuous (i.e. switchbacks) parts but anyone who does any walking or hiking could do it. It will probably take most people 2 hours to complete. Once you are done the trail, you can always grab a shuttle bus to get back to your car. The trail was definitely worth doing and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to do a hike in Denali. Amazing!