Our three week Southcentral Alaska adventure is a perfect introduction to the land of the "midnight sun." Trek among glaciers and wildflower meadows, then raft the thrilling Matanuska River. Experience icebergs calving into the sea from your sea kayak in Prince William Sound then backpack beneath the shadow of Denali. Spend a day of optional ice climbing or glacial trekking on the amazing Matanuska glacier then conclude with an exillarating whitewater trip on world famous Six Mile Creek.
Hike the Chugach Mountains
After meeting our trip leaders in Anchorage, we'll spend our first 4 days hiking through the Lost Lake Plateau of the scenic Chugach Mountains. This is perfect terrain as the hiking is easy to moderate and the scenery is outstanding. With Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound below us, we'll marvel at alpine glaciers, crystal clear lakes and wildflower meadows bursting with color. We should see mountain goats, Dall sheep, and possibly bears in this magical wilderness setting.Whitewater Raft the Matanuska River
Just a few miles from Anchorage, the Matanuska River flows between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains. A day of rafting through the exciting Lion Head Canyon of this glacial-fed river will provide a thrill-a-minute and a great introduction to Alaskan whitewater.Sea Kayak Prince William Sound
Traveling a short distance to Whittier, deepwater port of Anchorage, we'll load kayaks aboard a shuttle boat and move to spectacular Harriman Fjord, a pristine outpost of Prince William Sound. Our 6-day route is a trip of a lifetime as we will visit several tidewater glaciers, with calving icebergs crashing into the sea. Each night's campsite will afford us views of these amazing rivers of ice and the peaks surrounding them. Our paddling days will be short, affording us ample time to watch an abundance of sea mammals, including seals, sea lions, porpoises, and possibly whales.Backpack Denali State Park
Our next 4 days will see us traverse an alpine route filled with fabulous vistas of the beautiful Matanuska and Chulitna valleys. The breathtaking views of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range will dominate the skyline. Here we'll hone our backcountry skills, such as navigation and route finding, cook delicious meals and enjoy each other's company in spectacular campsites each night. As we travel this wonderful route, we'll be on the lookout for moose, caribou, Dall sheep and bears.Ice Climb or Trek the Matanuska Glacier
A trip to Alaska wouldn't be complete without experiencing her glaciers up close. We'll spend a day engaged in either introductory ice climbing or glacier trekking, depending on your interests. Whichever activity you choose, it will be an experience you will never forget.Raft The Nenana River
Nestled in the shadow of Mount McKinley, this whitewater stretch is about as fun, exciting and exhilarating as any in Alaska and provides a perfect conclusion to our trip in the land of the northern lights. Our previous experience on the Matanuska will have prepared us well, so this last day will be greatly anticipated by all and we won't be disappointed. We'll celebrate our summer with a traditional sourdough feast before boarding our flights back home.
Most of the major components of this trip have been offered by us over the past 33 years.
