Eska Falls Trail

The feel

The trail starts on a rough road and a stretch shared with ATVs, then a small sign marks the start of the non-motorized hiking trail in a wooded cul-de-sac. From there it traverses the south slope of Eska Peak through spruce and aspen, breaks into tall grasses and willow, and at 1,800 feet opens into the alpine with sweeping views of the Chugach Mountains.

Eska Creek tumbles down in a cascading white arc, a drop of more than 100 feet between Granite Peak and Eska Peak. In fall the slopes turn burnt orange and red below the golden-gray rocks of Eska Peak.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 8.3 to 8.6 miles, with 2,096 ft of gain, climbing 1,200 feet in the first three miles. A rough road leads 300 yards to a fork, then 0.3 mile on a trail shared with ATVs, then a footpath up the south slope of Eska Peak. The trail heads up a ridge east of the creek at 2,000 feet.

Time

About 5 hours out and back.

Parking

Rough gravel road to the trailhead; low-clearance vehicles are not recommended. If you park partway, at mile 2.5 of Jonesville Mine Road, it adds about 1.75 miles each way. Do not block the roadway.

Fees and passes

No parking fee.

Kids

Rated hard.

Hazards

The ATV stretch is muddy after heavy rain. Wet rock near the base of the falls calls for good traction.

Season and access

Typical season May to October. Turn left off the Glenn Highway in Sutton onto Jonesville Mine Road and follow the small brown hiker signs.

Mingo says

Pick a day without heavy rain, since the ATV stretch turns muddy. The best time of year runs from Jun 01 to Sep 15.

Before you go

• Check your vehicle's ground clearance for the rough gravel road, or plan the extra walking from mile 2.5.
• Wear shoes with good traction if you want to tiptoe close to the base of the falls.
• Follow the small brown hiker signs from Jonesville Mine Road.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.