Overview
For a small mountain, Mount Riley offers a variety of routes from several directions. Which route is best to take will depend on your time and mode of transportation as well as your choice of accommodation.
This is a short route climbing to Mount Riley along a well constructed trail. The one way distance is 2.8 miles
Getting There
This trailhead offers a very direct route to Mount Riley.
From Main Street in Haines, head south on Third Avenue, which becomes Mud Bay Road as soon as you leave town. After about 0.8 miles from Main Street, turn right on the road posted for Chilkat State Park. Follow the road to a sign for the Mount Riley Trail. This is about three miles from Main Street in Haines.
Photo taken near the trailhead. Route Description
From the trailhead, the trail ascends gradually a short distance before starting the switchbacks up the mountain. The trail passes through a nice spruce and hemlock forest before reaching junction just after the initial steep climb. This is 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Turn right (south) here (the left trail drops down to Lily Lake). The trail follows a small ravine before crossing a creek and then climbing once again through the forest.
The trail crosses a wet meadow on a planked trail before reaching another junction, this time with the trail from Battery Point (2.6 miles from the trailhead). From there turn right (south) again and follow the trail 0.2 miles to the summit (2.8 miles from the trailhead).
Tree seen on the route to Mount Riley. Essential Gear
A good pair of boots is needed. Southeast Alaska is notorious for bad weather, so go prepared for that.
Also, since the topo maps don't show any of the trails on Mount Riley, try and pick up the publication
Haines is for Hikers while in Haines.
The brochure is also available online below:
Haines is for Hikers