Overland Drive East Loop

This 31/2 mile trail is one of my favorites on the island.  While it’s noted on our local trail map is being of moderate difficulty this hike can be done in about an hour and fifteen minutes once your familiar with the tricky spots.

Starting at the summit of Overland Drive, the trail is unmarked and leads off of the SE side of the road.  There is enough room at the summit for several cars to park and still allow for traffic to make way along the road.

The trail starts off at an even 1100 feet and heads east, side hill’ing the mountain on your left and provides a great view of Ugadaga Valley, Ugadaga Bay, Beaver Inlet and Sedank Island.

The trail path is clearly visible for most of the hike.  There are several spots in which loose scree and winter runoff

Run Off & Scree

have washed out the trail.  These areas require steady footing and  intuitive heading skills.  This means you should be able to navigate to the trail again without having to search for it.

In several spots along the trail you will notice old two wire communication lines exposed on the ground.  These lines are left over from 1940′s when the military had remote search light and fire control stations around most of the bays and inlets surrounding Unalaska and Dutch Harbor.

Communication Wires

While maintaining the 1100 foot elevation it is fair to warn you that there are several spots along the trail that are sheer drops of several hundred feet or more, falling from there could cause serious injury so I encourage you to make sure you have good traction, foot support and I always take my trekking poles for added stability.

Making your away around to the NE side of the mountain (which should still be on your left) the trail is going to end at a shallow (muddy) pond.  If you need water, fill up on the little stream of water feeding it.  This is the only moving naturally filtered water on the trail.

Shallow Muddy Pond

This pond starts the section of the hike I call Lost Meadow.  Only because several people not familiar with the area turn around and hike back because they cant find the trail.  Often the fog is so thick you can’t see more than 50 feet, making navigation difficult without reference.

If you have a compass, make your way West/NW straight through the meadow.  If you can see, use the far peak triangular in shape directly in front of you (you should be facing west) and head straight for it.

Lost Meadow

You should eventually reach a knob with a view of Summers Bay off to the right.  To your left you will see a chute and the trail picks up there and should be clearly visible.

Making your way NW along the trail, the only part giving people trouble is the trail becomes over grown with grass and flowers in a small plateau.  Three Cairns have been placed to guide

Three Cairns

you back to to the trail and are visible in either direction.

Continuing on you will make your way back around to your starting point at the summit.

Some things to take in to consideration are often it is foggy and visibility can be a factor.  Bring a compass just to keep you in the right direction.  I use trekking poles on all my hikes, they are invaluable.  When it’s raining the sections of scree and talus can be very dangerous so I’d avoid those sections.  Lastly the winds here are sometimes very strong (40+ mph or more) and through the valleys this hike follows it can get whipping.

Happy Hiking

Dan

For more pictures of this hike, please visit the Overland Drive East Loop photo gallery.