Dnigi Hut
Built in 1995, the hut is part of the Bomber traverse but is seldom visited. Dinigi, the peak above the hut means Moose in the Dnaina language.
Water: In the creek east of the hut.
Outhouse: 20 yards from the front door.
Inventory: Sleeps 6-8, insulated, Coleman 2-burner stove, bring your own fuel, lantern.
Location: Moose Creek Valley, 13 miles from the end of Buffalo Mine Road. Elevation 4150 feet.
Coordinates: 61 51.822 N 148 57.068 W [61.86370, -148.95113]
Access
Via Eska Creek-Moose Creek Benches: Drive to Sutton on Glen Highway, turn left on Jonesville Road, follow it past a tiny community of Eska, follow dirt road used by cyclists and 4-wheelers, conditions and equipment permitting, to gain top of a ridge which leads to Knob Creek. Park before reaching the ridge top due to ruts in places. Stay on the main thoroughfare along the ridge top going east to reach Knob Creek. Just beyond look for a left turn descending north-west (61,45.578-148,52.414, 2801 feet elev.). This trail will eventually lead through brushy lowlands winding its way and gradually going up, until it eventually leads to an overlook of Eska Creek. It ends at a waterfall between Eska and Granite Peaks, 5 miles from the start of hiking. Leave the trail to follow a path east of waterfall until you are above them, cut left through the boulders to rejoin this trail into the high country. The trail follows Eska Creek before petering out and splitting. Take the north branch past some waterfalls into a hanging valley above 4400 feet. Follow the valley past a ridge which comes down from the west. At about 4455 feet (61,47.792-148,55.65) go west up easy slopes to reach small tarns and a wide bench. The objective is Elbow Pass at 5108 feet (61,48.022-148,56.749). At the pass leave behind Eska drainage and ascend 200 feet on boulders. Soon ascend to another pass to the north, crossing an east-west ridge at (61,48.088-148,57.172, 4847 feet elev.). Descend west towards Moose Creek, dropping to 3200 feet at point (61,48.582-148,59.192). You are now 5 miles from the hut. Turn north, maintaining elevation and crossing short ravines for 3 ½ miles. This bench is preferable to following Moose Creek since there is no fording or muddy trails. Begin to ascend above the bench to easier terrain as you head northeast above the deep ravine of the creek which drains from the hut. Cross the ravine high (61,51.101-148,57.553, 4009 feet elev.). The hut might be visible for a mile or so before reaching it, otherwise stick to the creek and you can't miss it.
Via Grizzly Pass: Accessing the hut requires glacier travel skills, beware of inherent risks. From Mint Hut cross the meadow to the north, ascend the easy ridge leading to Jewel Lake. Ascend scree slopes to Mint Glacier. Continue across the crevasse-free glacier to the base of Spearmint Peak. Ascend on slightly steeper ice to a bench (crevasse danger here), and work your way to Grizzly Pass (5750).Descend the ice from the pass, leaving behind the Little Susitna for Moose Creek drainage. The ice turns into moraine and boulders within 500 feet. Descend about 1300 feet from the pass to follow the summer route, winter route keeps dropping to avoid avalanches. In summer head south-southeast across boulders and tundra to get around a shoulder of a ridge coming west of the Troublemint Peak. The bench becomes very easy and gradually reaches a hanging valley below Troublemint. Cross a small creek and continue towards Moose Creek and a steep overlook of the valley below. Descend one of the scree gullies to get below the cliffs to the creek where you will reach the horse trail. Skip this trail, cross the creek and ascend 1100 feet heading east. A half a mile boulder field will cross your path, and you may not see the hut until you are rather close, nevertheless, heading east will bring you to the hut or the creek which drains from it.
History
The hut was constructed at Maxine Franklin's house in summer of 1995. The construction was supervised by Dave Pahlke with help from Maxine, Willy Hersman, Mark Miraglia, Nick Parker, Wayne Todd and others. The on site assembly was by Mike Miller, Julia Moore, Dave Staeheli, Willy Hersman and Mark Miraglia on the Labor Day weekend in August 1995. ERA helicopters flew in two loads onto the hut site on Sunday. The crew worked in heavy rain until dark to put up the walls. On Monday the sun came, allowing for the installation of the roof and metal siding. On Tuesday termination dust was creeping in while they were finishing up. The completion of the outhouse had to wait for later. The group, besides Mike Miller who flew with ERA to stash gear at Bomber and Mint huts, walked out via Moose Creek in 7 muddy hours.