Ester Community Association
P.O. Box 14 • Ester, Alaska • 99725

Trails map, Ester Dome

Our Trails Committee has been working on developing a multi-use trail system on Ester Dome. Click on the map below to open it in a new window (908 p x 602 p).

An Essential Ester Dome Trail Summary

by Tom Clark

Focused towards mountain biking in the summer, but useful to all trail users. With the exception of the Eva Creek Trail, a portion of which is non-motorized, all trails are multi-use.

Get to the top of Ester Dome any way you can. The most direct route is up Henderson, then up Ester Dome Road. There's a bunch of cool ways down: Corner Singletrack Alder Chute / Marathon Trail Tri-Con Mine Road Willow Creek West Ridge / Fireplug. All will require above-average mountain bike handling skills.

The Corner Singletrack is loosely marked by the first "<" sign as you are going up Ester Dome road, intentionally hard to find. It's a short but fun section of single track, connecting into other double track options at a "T". Left takes you to Henderson. What if you go right instead of left? More fun—you can connect to the Marathon Trail, as shown on the map.

The Alder Chute drops straight to the south from the first flat area on Ester Dome, down a power line. Way freaking steep, with loose rock. After a quarter mile or so, it hard-lefts onto the Marathon Trail. Fun, sweeping and fast double track. Need your wits about you, though. At a four-way intersection, you can either go up and connect with the trail mentioned above, or go straight out to Henderson, or go hard right and follow the Eva Creek Trail (really awesome) all the way into Ester. Stop for a beer at the Golden Eagle Saloon.

The Tri-Con mine road is further out the Ester Dome complex, past all the antennas, past the next flat-ish spot party-area. At a "Y" in the road on a downhill section, veer left. That's the Tri-Con mine road. It is a steep, rutted descent, all the way into Ester Valley. Technical only in the sense you need your wits about you at speed.

Veering right at the same "Y" takes you out to the next two trails. The first is about 75' after the "Y", to your left. That's the Willow Creek descent, and it's another fun one. Doubletrack, but good doubletrack. Way steep, but few rocks to bash your body on. Plenty of logs, though. Ends up in Ester Valley.

The last trail is the West Ridge Trail. After veering right at the "Y" mentioned above, go PAST the turn to the Willow Creek Trail. Climb up the next short hill, and turn left at a "Y". You are now on the West Ridge Trail, an eroding ATV trail complete with roots, turns, mud and dry sections. It "T"s into the Fireplug trail, where you should turn left to go down a VERY bumpy and even a little muddy downhill. Stop and take a break partway down. Your hands will appreciate it. Ends up in Ester Valley.

To get out of Ester Valley ride west, towards Ester Beer available at the Golden Eagle.

Incidentally, the Tri-Con route and the Corner Singletrack route are both pretty reasonable but tough ascents as well, if you wish to avoid the road. There are other trails not mentioned, but these are the core summer trails.