ALASKA MOUNTAIN CLASSIC BACKPACKING

“Explore the vast regions of the Kenai Mountains and Lake Clark National Park, hiking among majestic peaks and enormous glaciers.”

Witness the pure beauty of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Clark National Park, hiking through breathtaking scenery of the Alaskan wilderness, unspoiled terrain, and towering peaks. Join Kenai Backcountry Adventures on one of the coolest backpacking adventures in Alaska. This epic trip is comprised of two completely different mountain ranges, the Kenai Mountains and the Alaska Range. The first half of the trip will be spent exploring the mountains and glaciers of the Kenai Mountains while venturing deep into the pristine backcountry of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to secluded alpine lakes, glaciers, and bagging several peaks along the way. Be whisked away in a genuine Alaska floatplane and flown to the Alaska Range in Lake Clark National Park for the second half of the trip, which will be spent trekking over alpine tundra, through narrow slot passes, and making non-technical ascents of mountain peaks that are all around you. In both mountain regions, when the weather permits, the views that open up are beyond breathtaking. You will suddenly realize how enormous these mountain ranges really are. You will be exploring the mountain ranges from day 2 until mid-day on day 10. This is a great trip for new or seasoned backpackers seeking a challenging adventure in Alaska in an alpine environment.

TRIP SPECS

  • Season: June – September
  • Duration: 10 Days
  • Distance: 50+ Miles
  • Exertion: Level 3
  • Begins / Ends: Anchorage, AK
  • Minimum: 4 guests required to confirm trip

ALASKA MOUNTAIN CLASSIC

$ CALL

Per Person*

TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY

DAY 1: ANCHORAGE – ARRIVAL DAY

Today is arrival day. Guests that are arriving will be greeted at Anchorage International Airport by KBA guides and transported to lodging accommodations in Anchorage. The day can be spent exploring the many exciting attractions within Anchorage. This afternoon you’ll have a gear check and safety orientation. A group dinner will be hosted at a local brewery.

Meals included: welcome dinner in Anchorage
Accommodation: Hotel or B&B in Anchorage

DAY 2 to 5: ANCHORAGE TO KENAI MOUNTAINS – BACKPACKING in KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Today the group will depart Anchorage early in the morning and travel by motorcoach to Cooper Landing, AK. The destination is a massive glacial lake tucked away in the Kenai Mountains. A KBA boat will transport guests across the glacial lake to access a route that leads up into the alpine tundra. The group will be backpacking a 20+ mile route through the Kenai Mountains, eventually making the final camp alongside a beautiful alpine lake, deep in the backcountry. From this location you can hike to a gigantic glacier that shoots out of the Harding Icefield, explore canyons, and ascend peaks. A chance to hike on the glacier may be possible depending on the conditions.

All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles, daily average
Accommodation: Tent

DAY 6: KENAI MOUNTAINS TO ALASKA RANGE – BACKPACKING

After a delicious breakfast along the lake, guests will prepare for the next leg of the Alaska adventure. Early afternoon brings the arrival of a floatplane that will fly us far across Cook Inlet into a completely new mountain region of Alaska, the rugged, and awe-inspiring Alaska Range! The flight is absolutely amazing! The group will be dropped off on the shores of a magnificent alpine lake high above the treeline, deep in the backcountry of the Alaska Range. From here you’ll set up a basecamp that will be the base of operations for alpine hiking.

All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles, daily average
Accommodation: Tent

DAY 7 to 9: ALASKA RANGE – BASECAMP HIKING IN LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK

Guests will be hiking and exploring this mountain alpine environment returning to basecamp each evening. There are several lakes, peaks, and canyons to explore so there is an abundance of great landscape to see. There is a group elective option to make camp in different locations each night, or set up a basecamp next to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes you will ever see.

All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles, daily average
Accommodation: Tent

DAY 10: ALASKA RANGE TO ANCHORAGE

After the group has packed up the basecamp, the floatplane will arrive to take the group for a scenic flight acrossCook Inlet to the Kenai Peninsula. Upon arrival, guests will make the beautiful drive back to Anchorage arriving around 8pm. Your KBA guides will drop you off at the Anchorage International Airport, or Anchorage hotels if you are remaining in Alaska. If you are returning home this evening, please be sure to schedule your return flight for after 10:00pm. For next day departures: airport shuttles from lodging to the airport are available.

Meals included: breakfast & lunch

*The accompanying itinerary is the schedule we intend to follow. However, this is Alaska, and our trips may deviate as written on this page or in any documentation we publish. This can be as a result of weather conditions, group preference, safety considerations, or unforeseeable circumstances. Therefore expect the unexpected, and prepare to be flexible. 
  • Accommodations: 1 night hotel or B&B, 8 nights tent camping
  • Ground transportation to and from Anchorage on Day 2 and Day 10
  • Outbound and inbound floatplane flights during trip (3 separate flights!)
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Complementary airport transfer
  • Professional guide service with a low guest to guide ratio
  • Satellite phone, GPS, maps, location tracker
  • Medical kits, and repair gear
  • Expedition tents
  • Trekking poles
  • Cook tent, cooking equipment, eating utensils, water filters
  • Guides prepare and cook all meals
  • Park fees
  • Airfare to and from Anchorage, Alaska
  • Meals not included in itinerary
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Single supplement ($150)
  • Personal gear (rain gear, clothing, sleeping bag & pad, backpack, etc.)
  • Additional lodging nights due to weather delays
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities

LOGISTICS & FAQ

What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
Plan to fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on day 1. A complementary shuttle will be provided upon your arrival for airport transfers to your included Anchorage accommodations.

What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations are double occupancy hotel or B&B lodging on night 1. Double occupancy tent camping in the backcountry.

Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there an optional or forced supplement, and how much is it?
As a solo traveler, a single supplement of $150 per person that applies to tent camping Day 2-10, and hotel or B&B accommodations on the night 1.

What is the food like?
Proper nutrition in the backcountry is paramount for stamina and recovery. We create gourmet masterpieces from scratch that are healthy, filling, and delicious leaving your palate (and belly!) satisfied. Everything from cinnamon rolls and vanilla pancakes for breakfast, to spaghetti with meatballs for dinner, finished off with cheesecake for dessert.

How much extra money should people budget?
Kenai Backcountry Adventures recommends that you bring $500 cash for gratuities, in-town spending money, souvenirs, additional meals, etc.

What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
A detailed backpacking gear list will be provided with your booking confirmation. Or you can view the GEAR LIST now (select “Backpacking Trips”).

Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is required for this trip. Review our Travel Insurance page for more info.

Additional frequently asked questions and answers:

Are bears and other wildlife going to be a problem?
Bears are virtually everywhere in Alaska, and therefore one should anticipate and be prepared for a possible encounter or sighting of a bear. Moose are a common sighting on the Kenai Peninsula but generally they keep their distance. Kenai Backcountry Adventures takes wildlife safety very seriously and therefore take precautions to keep you safe in the wilderness. In addition, you will learn the necessary safety procedures regarding Alaska wildlife in your pre-backcountry safety orientation.

Will there be bugs?
The most common nuisance bugs are mosquitoes and no-see-ums. However, based on the time of year and current weather conditions insects may or may not present an issue. Generally, there are only a few areas we tend to encounter mosquitoes along our route. Come prepared with insect repellant and a high quality head net.

What will the weather be like?
Weather in this part of Alaska is highly variable and unpredictable. It could be in the 70s or 80s one day and in the 50s and raining the next (or in the same day!). We may encounter snow at higher elevations. High winds can be frequent and may impede travel at times.

Contingency
It’s best to plan a buffer day at the end of the trip in the event of a weather delay departing the backcountry on the last day, however if you must make flight arrangements to depart Anchorage on the last day of the itinerary, please make your flight departure for after 10:00pm.