Last updated: October 15, 2020
Place
Confluence of Riley & Hines Creeks
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Amenities
3 listed
Cellular Signal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead
Riley and Hines Creek meet just upstream of the Alaska Railroad Trestle. Bridges now span each creek, allowing visitors to hike toward Triple Lakes, one of the longest trails in Denali.
Not far from this confluence existed one of the first year-round communities in this area, known as McKinley Station. The small community boasted a hotel, post office, school, and numerous homesteads.
Some McKinley Station residents used Riley Creek to hunt and trap. Alaska Natives likely used the creeks for similar purposes, although more evidence of Alaska Native use can be found on larger drainages to the west, such as Teklanika River, as well as the Dry Creek area in Healy, to the north.
Hines Creek, after the 1917 creation of Mount McKinley National Park, became the easiest way for early tourists to travel into the newly established park, until construction of the park road began in the 1920s.
Not far from this confluence existed one of the first year-round communities in this area, known as McKinley Station. The small community boasted a hotel, post office, school, and numerous homesteads.
Some McKinley Station residents used Riley Creek to hunt and trap. Alaska Natives likely used the creeks for similar purposes, although more evidence of Alaska Native use can be found on larger drainages to the west, such as Teklanika River, as well as the Dry Creek area in Healy, to the north.
Hines Creek, after the 1917 creation of Mount McKinley National Park, became the easiest way for early tourists to travel into the newly established park, until construction of the park road began in the 1920s.