Skagway hiking spotlight

AB Mountain

Hiking is easier when you have 4-wheel drive.

Hiking is a wonderful pastime that promotes good health and immerses the hiker in the overwhelming and unending beauty of nature. AB Mountain is the tall mountain just northwest of Skagway. It’s so named because people with poor eyesight thought the snow melted in such a way that it looked like the letters A and B were scribbled on the mountainside by some graffiti-loving god. Whatever. It’s still a great hike for anyone that loves amazing views and the feeling of muscles being torn into tiny pieces.

AB Mountain is a nice hike until it’s not

The trailhead for AB Mountain is about a mile up the Dyea Road, or it can be accessed from the Smugger’s Loop Trail by starting at the airport. The first two and a half miles are a slow but steady ascent through dense woods with the occasional view overlooking downtown Skagway. There is about 1,600 feet of elevation gain through this section, with a few areas that many people would qualify as steep.

Right about the time you start thinking to yourself, “This hike isn’t that bad,” the trail suddenly seems to turn directly upwards toward the sky. It’s understandable why many people stop and stare at the trail for a few minutes thinking, “Surely this isn’t the trail,” but after realizing there isn’t any other route, the only choice is to keep moving forward. Another quarter-mile up the trail it gets even steeper, but some voice in the back of your head will say, “It will probably level back out in a bit.” Spoiler Alert: It won’t.

“What the hell kind of trail is this?!”

Soon, the swearing starts. The ascent gets steeper and the trail narrows. About the time you think the trail can’t get any worse, some other horror is thrown into the mix and you curse the day you were born. There are numerous muddy spots on the trail that make for difficult footing. What you don’t realize on the ascent is that these areas are even more treacherous when you’re coming back down. By that time your desire to live will have decreased significantly, so what difference does it make?

There are also all sorts of roots, tree branches, and slippery rocks that prove Mother Nature wants you dead. In some places the foliage is so thick and overgrown, you can’t even see where you’re stepping. That’s pleasant. Just remember, the question is not whether you will fall down, but how many times will you fall down and what part of your body will you injure?

You eventually reach a section of the “trail” that’s so steep you have to use a rope to pull yourself up. Just think, that was the best idea someone could come up with. After this, the trees begin to thin and you start getting incredible views that almost make the hike seem worth the effort. Then the trail gets difficult.

Is the AB Mountain Trail a metaphor for life?

Above the treeline, the trail is just as steep as it was before but a distinct ridge comes into view and you realize that you’re almost at the end. With a smile on your face radiating pride in your accomplishment, you crest that plateau and realize that it’s a false summit and you’re not there yet. This will happen 17 or 18 more times before you actually reach the “summit.” Surprise!

At this point, you have hiked 3.3 miles and climbed 3,900 feet of elevation. The views are amazing, but there’s a twist. You’re only about halfway to the summit of AB Mountain. Is there a better metaphor for the unending futility of life?

Other horrors await

As mentioned before, you still have to hike back down the trail. After finally making it back down the steepest section, you only have 2 and a half miles back to the trailhead. If your legs are still capable of carrying your body, the only thing driving your forward is the prospect of cold beer.

It’s also important to note that you could encounter a deadly bear at any time during the hike. Fog also commonly moves in over the mountain, which can make it impossible to see. If you accidentally go off the “trail,” you could end up in a pretty dire situation. Every year, people get lost on the trail and have to be rescued by people with better muscle tone than most. Sounds fun, eh?

If you’re really unlucky, the fog may move in and then you hear some terrible beast growling a mere 30-feet away. That happened to me back in 2002. Forget that.

At least you will get some nice photos and feel good about yourself for a few minutes before the horrible pain of permanently damaged muscles sets in. Thanks for joining us for this Skagway hiking spotlight. Remember, if you decide to hike the AB Mountain Trail, be sure to tell someone where you’re going and have your last will and testament notarized.