Jacksina Creek

ACCESS: Air taxi flight to Jaeger Mesa.

ROUTE: The landing area is on Jaeger Mesa at 6500', approximately 3 miles south of Gold Hill. Hike south along the crest of the mesa, aiming for P6628', located at the southern end of the mesa. The view from the mesa is spectacular. Mt. Sanford, Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Jarvis, Mt. Blackburn, Mt. Gordon, and the Nutzotin Mountains are all visible. The hiking varies from solid shale to spongy tundra. Descend from the mesa around the east side of P6628'. Clear water and camping are available near the lake south of P6628' at 5135'.

Mt. Gordon lies to the south. It can be climbed via its southern slopes to avoid the glaciers and is mostly a rock scramble.

From the lake, hike west along the creek drainage for 2 to 3 miles before going southwest into the upper Mesa Creek drainage. From Mesa Lake, shown as 4720' on a topo map, several pleasant day trips are easily accessable. Alternately, follow a game trail at the south end of the lake and desend into the Jacksina Creek drainage. Jacksina Creek is a swift, powerful stream and if the decision is made to cross it, extreme caution should be used. Fording the Jacksina is usually impossible the main channel is 40 feet wide and 5 feet deep.

It is possible to hike along the south side of the Jacksina Glacier and cross the glacier on the lower rocky moraine. Once across the glacier, a short hike downstream brings you to a creek bed which can provide access to the mesa north of the glacier. It is roughly a 1,000 foot climb to the top of the mesa.

Descend from the mesa off P5695' which is south of Tumble Creek and at the northeast end of the mesa. Tumble Creek is swift and must be crossed early in the morning. Once across Tumble Creek several options are available. Grizzly lake is an excellent fishing spot and a could be spot for a float plane pickup. You could continue hiking to Tanada Lake, either to camp and fish, or use Tanada Lake as a float plane pickup as well. The area around Tanada Lake is very wet. Hiking is extremely difficult due to deep mud bogs and tussocks. If you want to hike to the Nabesna Road, two possibilities exist. Follow the ATV trail along Tanada Lake and intersect the Nabesna Road at Mile 24.3. Alternately, cross the mesa east of Tanada Lake. Descend the creek drainage that flows into Jack Creek along the road directly across from Boyden Creek. From the Jack Creek bridge it is a 5 1/2 mile walk along the road to Devil's Mountain Lodge.

	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve 106.8 Richardson Highway, PO Box 439 Copper Center, AK 99573 (907) 822-5234 e-mail us: wrst_interpretation@nps.gov