mt. healy overlook trail

The trail was well kept. A few informational signs along the way. Good photo opportunities. Bathroom facilities at the trailhead. An easy hike for all ages and fitness levels.

A well maintained trail with a steady but not overwhelming incline to the peak. You are rewarded with awesome views.

This hike starts from the Visitor Centre and is well signposted. It's flat for a while then you start to climb. We are reasonable hikers and this trail wasn't at all difficult. We stopped about half a dozen times to look at the views and take photos - we had a lovely sunny day. As others have said, if you want 'the' views, you'll need to go deeper into the Park. Well worth the effort. .

My wife and I made this hike after a flightseeing tour of Mt. McKinley. It was listed as strenuous, and I agree. The vertical climb is about 1700'. There were several pretty steep, switchbacks that had loose gravel and rock trail, although they were being repaired when we made the hike. The scenery all the way up was beautiful, and the summit overlook was a nice reward for the somewhat exhausting climb...would definitely recommend. The hike took us about 1.5 hours up, and an hour down.

The walk leads straight from the car park of the visitor centre and we found it to be a good walk to get a feel for the park. Obviously you need nice clear weather to be able to get a good view of the park. If you have reasonable fitness it's no bother at all and on a hot day it's nice and breezy at the top. You can continue further but the marked trail ends. Didn't see any bears but came across moose. On a windless day you might need bug repellent.

The trails on this mountain is absolutely breathtaking and worth every picture you would take of it. I wish we could have taken the trail longer. It goes for every and you are sure to see wildlife!!

We didn't make it all the way up (baby and time constraints prevented us from attaining the summit), but views on the way up were really spectacular! This is a very steep trail, so bring lots of water and potentially a snack. Give yourself plenty of time to get up and down. Also, bring bug spray! Ability level is definitely not for the couch potato but views were really gorgeous and worth it. Next time we go back we'll give ourselves more time for the hike!

Despite what the Park Rangers (and Lonely Planet) may say, there is no easy route from the end of the Mt. Healy Overlook Trail to the summit of Mt. Healy. We followed a good trail from the Overlook along a pleasant undulating ridge which heads directly towards Mt. Healy. The path ends on a steep, rocky peak surrounded by vertical drops which halts any further progress. The only possible route to the summit is then to retrace our steps down the ridge then to traverse to the left across steep, grassy, pathless slopes before climbing steeply up to the ridge of Mt. Healy. The route then follows a long, switchback ridge over loose rock and scree to reach the highest point. It is a very committing and possibly dangerous route that would be very risky to attempt. The correct hiking route up Mt. Healy is via Bison Gulch. Take the Parks Highway (3) and park at the small parking lot located at mile post 244. Cross the highway and you will see a worn path running up the ridgeline.

I hiked this trail with my 8 year old daughter. The park ranger tried to talk us out of it because of the steepness of the trail. We went anyway and were very glad we did. We even glimpsed the summit of Mt. McKinley from the top.

Do this hike! You will be rewarded with fantastic 360 degree views! And I was lucky enough to see Denali (Mt McKinley) as well! Strenous but doable. Take lots of water. Hiking poles were most helpful for this 57 y.o. woman!!

If you can handle hikes with medium difficulty, you should try this while visiting Denali.Hiking pole will help since at some locations you need it with no hand rails and lose soil. Make sure to spent 15 minutes at the summit before your descent. It is spectacular view!Check with the visitor center for any closures before you start as we saw some closures and have to take alternate route. One of the few places you won't see the crowd! Allow 2-3 Hrs. Have pepper spray or bear repellent handy and a bell.

The rain finally stopped and we began our ascent up the mountain. It is a strenuous hike, no strollers and no one that can't climb over some rocks. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the top and it was worth it. Beautiful views all along the way and at the top. Saw a moose and her twin calves about 30 minutes in to the hike. Carried bear mace, but didn't see any. Check in at visitor center to see if there are any trail issues that day. There was a large hole that they note, but easy to maneuver around.There are lots of comments about where to go in Denali and the lack of trails. This is a good one to get away from the crowds. It's well marked and offered views along the way. We only had a day so chose this and the hike to the sled dogs. We really didn't want to climb on the bus and travel through the park, so it was a great choice.

For those of you who aren't brave enough to sign up for the Camper bus at the Back Country Center, this hike is for you. It's pretty standard, nothing too scary and if the weather is cooperative, you'll get some nice views. Don't expect to be blown away by Alaska's majesty, you need to go further into the park for that.

I proposed to my girlfriend at the top of this trail so it will always be memorable to me. It was a cloudy day but still had beautiful views on the way up and at the top. It was also great because it wasn't too crowded.

For the strenous hike, the views are NOT worth the sore knees. The "Glitter Gulch" is rather mundane, especially up close. Best Alpine hike is at the Eielson Center. That's why the Park Serivice built it. Ranger guided at noon or do it yourself in 2-3 hrs. See Mt McKinley, it's neighbors and glaciers, breathtaking. Watch tundra turn to alpine along the way. The Rangers will loan you hiking poles for free, use them!Next best Alpine hike is at Savage River. You can drive your vehicle there and enjoy the animals along the 16 ml route. If your knees are too sore from the hikes, walk the Savage River trail. Easy and bursting with color. Great last day excursion.