Easy

Mcdonald Lake Trail

Meyers Chuck, Alaska · Ketchikan Gateway County · 52745

Mcdonald Lake Trail is a easy hiking trail near Meyers Chuck in Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

🧭 Get Directions 🗺️ Open in OSM

55.92840, -131.80665

Open in OpenStreetMap

5-Day Forecast

Weather at Mcdonald Lake Trail

Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.

Avg High61°F

Avg Low52°F

Peak Rain Chance88%

Humidity88%

UV (avg)4

Air Quality23 · Good

Today

🌦

Rain Showers

60°/52°

💧 83%🌬 8mph

↑ 4:41 AM ↓ 9:05 PM

Mon

🌦

Drizzle

63°/52°

💧 81%🌬 7mph

↑ 4:43 AM ↓ 9:03 PM

Tue

🌦

Rain Showers

61°/54°

💧 88%🌬 6mph

↑ 4:45 AM ↓ 9:01 PM

Wed

🌧

Heavy Drizzle

62°/52°

💧 86%🌬 9mph

↑ 4:47 AM ↓ 9:00 PM

Thu

🌦

Drizzle

61°/52°

💧 28%🌬 5mph

↑ 4:48 AM ↓ 8:58 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About Mcdonald Lake Trail

Mcdonald Lake Trail is a easy hiking trail near Meyers Chuck in Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

What “Easy” Means

Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.

What to Pack & Wear

Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.

👔 What to Wear

👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 8 mph).
👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
☔
Rain jacket / shell
88% chance of precipitation in the forecast.

🎒 What to Pack

💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.

Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.

Trail Safety in Alaska

Trail conditions in Alaska change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:

Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
Tell someone your plan and expected return time
Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Mcdonald Lake Trail?

Mcdonald Lake Trail is rated Easy. Suitable for most hikers including families.

When is the best time to hike Mcdonald Lake Trail?

Alaska has trail conditions that vary by season. Spring and fall usually offer the best mix of temperature and trail conditions. Check the 5-day forecast above for current outlook. Always verify trail status (closures, washouts, fire restrictions) with the local land manager before going.

References & Maps

View original OpenStreetMap record — source data
Open OpenStreetMap at trailhead
Driving directions (Google Maps)

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Sunlit footpath winding through a tall conifer forest

Photo: Jay MantriEasyAK

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