TERRAIN: Wide gravel bar, steep slopes, glaciers, high mountains, dry tundra benches.

QUOTA: 6

RIVERS AND STREAMS: East Branch of the Toklat can be difficult to cross.

ACCESS FROM ROAD: Miles 49.9-53.1, west of Polychrome Pass to the Toklat River bridge.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Divide Mountain, glaciers, water-falls.

DESCRIPTION: The East Branch River valley is a deep glacial valley with a wide river bar at the bottom. The mountains are steep and covered with multi-colored rock. Some rise above 7,000 feet. Vegetation is mostly dry tundra with some brush. Small side drainages feed the East Branch of the Toklat. The glaciers at the headwaters flow from steep slopes generating dramatic ice-falls.

POPULAR HIKES AND ROUTES: Most of the hiking is along the river bar. Easy access to the river bar can be found from the road down ice-cream gulch. Hikers can travel up the river valley to the glaciers, or to Divide Mountain. The latter requires a river crossing. Traveling on glaciers should be avoided unless hikers are properly trained and equipped.

QUAD MAPS: HB6, HC6