Temptation Peak via the Dome

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views

Temptation Peak stands at an elevation of 5384 feet and is #69 of the 120 Chugach State Park Peaks as listed on Peakbagger.com. There are several ways to approach this peak, but all of them require a long run into Snowhawk Valley. This approach begins at the Dome Trail for a more alpine approach than starting from the Snowhawk Trailhead.

This trail system is entirely on JBER military land and requires a $10 annual recreation pass permit, which can be purchased online at jber.isportsman.net/. You must also sign in and out as you enter and exit the area. There are times that training exercises are being held, closing the area off, and closures are also posted on the website.

This route begins on the Dome Trail, so please refer to that trail page for a detailed description of that stretch of the run. From the Dome Trail, continue northeast toward a prominent pass between Snowhawk Mountain and Kanchee Peak. Stick to the Snowhawk Mountain side of the pass, away from Kanchee, to avoid lots of low brush as you move through the pass.

There looks like an old Jeep trail when heading towards Snowhawk from the Dome Trail, and you should take that and traverse over to the pass. We came back following a fairly established trail that hugged the base of Kanchee through the pass and we ended up cross through endless bushes and hidden streams.

As you descend down towards Snowhawk Creek, you'll encounter Snowhawk Trail which you'll take south (up-valley) for about three quarters of a mile. As of 2017, there was a temporary bridge placed across the stream maybe half a mile from gaining the Snowhawk creek trail from the pass that is not mentioned in any beta I've read.

This really wasn't a great way to gain the spine up to the tarn below Temptation, nor is there a sign of a trail, but the tundra was manageable enough. Once you reach the spine, you'll see a tarn located in a picturesque amphitheater, which would make for an amazing camping spot if it wasn't so far from a trailhead. From the spine, it is a fairly straightforward run up to the summit.

Gaining the summit, you get great views of Ship Creek Valley, Eagle River peaks, the Chugach front range, and the Knik.

The descent we took, which is different from what is mapped here, was pretty much straight down the scree slopes down to the bottom of the valley where the Snowhawk Trail is encountered once again. Heading down-valley, north, you'll encounter Snowhawk cabin, which is operated by JBER. Continuing down the trail, you can retrace your steps back to the Dome or you can follow the trail out all the way to Snowhawk Trailhead.

This Featured Run has a difficult rating due to its length, steep grade, and descent down scree slopes.