Keystone Canyon is a scenic

canyon A canyon (; archaic British English spelling: ''cañon''), gorge or chasm, is a deep cleft between escarpments or cliffs resulting from weathering and the erosive activity of a river over geologic time scales. Rivers have a natural tendency t ...

located approximately 12 miles northeast of

Valdez, Alaska Valdez ( ; Alutiiq language, Alutiiq: ) is a city in the Chugach Census Area, Alaska, Chugach Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. In 2020, the population of Valdez was 3,985, up slightly from 3,976 in 2010. It is the List of cities in Alask ...

, in the

Chugach Mountains The Chugach Mountains of southern Alaska are the northernmost of the several mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges of the western edge of North America. The range is about long and wide, and extends from the Knik and Turnag ...

. The canyon is characterized by its steep, almost perpendicular walls that rise over 600 feet, carved by the

Lowe River The Lowe River is a long river in Alaska. It begins at glacier known as ''Deserted Glacier'' in the Chugach Mountains. The upper river then passes through Heiden Canyon before meeting and paralleling the Richardson Highway. Following this, it ente ...

over millennia. It serves as a natural corridor for the

Richardson Highway The Richardson Highway is a highway in the U.S. state of Alaska, running 368 miles (562 km) and connecting Valdez to Fairbanks. It is marked as Alaska Route 4 from Valdez to Delta Junction and as Alaska Route 2 from there to Fairbank ...

and is renowned for its stunning waterfalls and rich history.

Geography

The canyon spans approximately 3 miles, connecting the upper and lower valleys of the Lowe River. The canyon's bed varies from 100 to 500 feet in width, with the east wall being more abrupt than the west. Vegetation in the canyon includes grass, brush, and trees, indicating that water levels typically do not rise more than 4 feet along most of its length. Notable geological features include nearly vertical slate rock formations, with some areas containing small seams of quartz.

History

In 1898, U.S. Army Captain William R. Abercrombie named the canyon after his home state of Pennsylvania, known as the "Keystone State." That same year, Abercrombie and his team began constructing a trail through the canyon and over

Thompson Pass Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska.Geographic Names Information Service"Thompson Pass, Alaska" U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed July 2, 2009. It is the snowiest weather sta ...

, establishing a military route to Eagle. This path evolved into the

, serving as a vital inland route to Fairbanks until the 1920s. Horsetail Falls Alaska 1992

In the early 1900s, the canyon was a focal point for proposed railroad routes aimed at accessing the mineral-rich interior of Alaska. Multiple companies initiated construction, resulting in a rivalry that culminated in a shootout in 1907, leading to the abandonment of the railroad project. A partially completed hand-cut tunnel remains as a testament to these efforts.

Features

Waterfalls

Keystone Canyon features several notable waterfalls, prominently including Bridal Veil Falls and Horsetail Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is recognized as the tallest roadside waterfall in Alaska, reaching a height of 600 feet. It is accessible from a designated turnout along the Richardson Highway. Located nearby, Horsetail Falls presents a captivating visual spectacle as it cascades down the canyon's face, measuring 328 feet in height and consisting of multiple strands. This waterfall can also be observed from a roadside turnout, providing visitors an opportunity to appreciate the natural splendor that characterizes Keystone Canyon.

Recreational Activities

The canyon offers various recreational opportunities, including hiking, ice climbing, and whitewater rafting. The Valdez Goat Trail, part of the historic Trans Alaska Military Packtrain Trail established during the Klondike Gold Rush, begins near Bridal Veil Falls and provides hikers with scenic views of the canyon and its surroundings. In winter, the canyon's frozen waterfalls, like Keystone Greensteps and Bridal Veil Falls, attract ice climbers due to their accessibility and challenging routes. Additionally, the Lowe River's flow through the canyon presents opportunities for rafting and kayaking, with varying difficulty levels depending on the water conditions.

References