Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Alaska / Kenai Peninsula

Crescent Lake via Crescent Creek and Carter Lake Trails

Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Kenai Peninsula, near Cooper Landing and Moose Pass)

A dog leads the way on the Carter Lake Trail in September
“A dog leads the way on the Carter Lake Trail in September” by Amber Kraxberger-Linson, USDA Forest Service , Public domain · Source

Crescent Lake sits just below treeline in the Kenai Mountains, reached by trails from two directions. From the west, the Crescent Creek Trail climbs a gentle valley to the lake’s outlet. From the east, the steeper Carter Lake Trail climbs past Carter Lake to the other end. Connected by a rougher trail along the lakeshore, the two make a point-to-point trip of about 17.7 miles with two Forest Service cabins along the way.

Crescent Lake is also known for Arctic grayling. Wikipedia says the lake is somewhat popular with grayling anglers.

The hike

The Forest Service describes the Crescent Creek Trail as climbing gradually up the narrow valley of Crescent Creek through birch and aspen forest, over a low ridge, and down into scenic Crescent Creek Canyon. It alternates between wildflower meadows and forest. The trailhead is 3.5 miles up Quartz Creek Road from mile 45 of the Sterling Highway, past the Quartz Creek and Crescent Creek campgrounds. The Forest Service calls it suitable for families and day hiking, and suggests a two-day trip with tent camping at Crescent Lake or a night at Crescent Lake Cabin.

Crescent Lake lies just below treeline, according to the Forest Service, and most good camping sites are near the lake at designated campsites. One cabin reviewer called the trail good for kids ages 8 to 16. Another found it in good shape but a little bushy in spots.

From the east, the Forest Service says the Carter Lake Trail is an old jeep road at mile 34 of the Seward Highway. It’s a short but steep climb, especially the first 1.5 miles, through spruce and hemlock forest to a wide subalpine valley of meadows surrounded by mountains. It reaches Carter and Crescent Lakes in 3.4 miles and provides good access to alpine country.

Linking the two is the Crescent Lake Trail, which the Forest Service calls an 8.3-mile, less-developed trail along the shore through open meadows and brush with views of the lake and mountains most of the way. It warns the trail is rough and overgrown, with creek fords. The Crescent Creek trail sheet says crossings at miles 0.3 and 6.3 from the Carter Lake end have no bridges and may be difficult in high water. The Crescent Saddle Cabin sits along this route, 7 miles from the Carter Lake Trailhead.

One AllTrails reviewer who hiked from Carter Lake to Crescent Creek and stayed at Crescent Saddle Cabin says it took about three hours to cover the roughly 5 miles from the saddle cabin to the lake cabin. They found the trail from the lake cabin back to the Crescent Creek trailhead pretty good and really nice in stretches.

Fishing is a big part of the draw. The Forest Service says grayling fishing is best in the western half of Crescent Lake, and grayling are also in Crescent Creek. Cabin reviewers describe large grayling in both, though one group arrived before the season opened.

There’s one current condition to note. The Forest Service says sediment has raised the lake level, and the bridge over the outlet on the way to Crescent Lake Cabin has shallow flooding at both ends. It remains passable, but water levels change regularly.

For another Kenai Peninsula trip with cabins, see the Resurrection Pass Trail.

Tips

Camping

The Forest Service says Crescent Lake has designated campsites, and most good camping spots are near the lake. The Carter Lake map sheet lists designated campsites at miles 1.9 and 2.3 on the Carter Lake Trail and marks bear boxes and backcountry toilets. Crescent Lake Cabin and Crescent Saddle Cabin are by reservation only. One cabin listing describes wooden sleeping platforms that fit sleeping pads and bags. Contact the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178.

Inside Intel: Crescent Lake Cabin reviewers are enthusiastic about the fishing, with one reporting 16- to 19-inch grayling across the lake from the cabin. Another found the trail to the cabin perfect for kids. One reviewer warns that other hikers sometimes walk right past the cabin, so don’t expect total privacy.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Unbridged fords on the Crescent Lake shore:

The Crescent Lake Trail has unbridged crossings at miles 0.3 and 6.3 from the Carter Lake end that may be difficult in high water. Here are five tips to get across them safely.

See the water-crossing tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.