Penguin Peak Route

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Don't run alone; grizzlies and black bears frequent the area.

This trail will take you on a mostly easy run with a few exposed sections to reach the summit of Penguin Peak. When you reach the end of Penguin Ridge Trail, head southeast to ascend the ridge directly to your left. Running through the tundra instead of the scree is easiest. From the ridge itself, a backcountry trail eventually appears. Stay on the ridge until you reach the summit of Penguin Peak, marked by the weather station at the top. The route is generally a Class 1 with a few Class 2 sections; you may find running down and around a few of the more exposed sections of the ridge a bit safer.

An alpine lake, the north face of Penguin Ridge, the south face of Bird Peak, Bird Ridge, and even the 7500 foot peaks creating the canyon above Eagle River are all visible from the summit!

The weather station at the top is used by the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center during the winter and by pilots year-round. You can check the data at cnfaic.org.

Tundra, bears, service berries, alpine willow.