Spaulding Meadows Trail

The Spaulding Meadow Trail shares the same trailhead as Auke Nu (John Muir Trail) at mile 12.3, and branches off just short of a mile up the trail. During the summer the trail is an incredible connection trail in junction with Montana Creek. It can be ridiculously muddy and confines foot traffic to the trail which is multitudes better than the muskeg surroundings. The trail is well marked and planks aid much of the difficult terrain.

This trail is more popular during the winter when the muskegs become covered with snow and make for great open places to explore with spectacular views of the Chilkat Range, upper Mendenhall Glacier, the inside passage, and Auke Bay. Spaulding Meadows is the last of three muskegs along the way, each with their own unique views. The west side trail is closed to snow machines, however, the eastern side allows motorized traffic during the winter months depending on snow coverage.

After a little over three miles the trail ends at Spaulding Meadows where an apt trail finder can seek out the connection segment which is unmarked and rather rugged connecting to the Windfall Lake/Montana Creek trail making an amazing loop trail for trail users seeking a little more distance from their outing.