Click here to reserve your spot with a $250 deposit.
 

5 Day Backpacking Trip in Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

There is a great variation in the type of terrain that we will travel through, so rather than list mileage for each day, we have listed the amount of time we usually hike for each day of this trek.

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska
Arrive in Anchorage and make taxi arrangements to your hotel or B&B.

Day 2: Van transportation from Anchorage to McCarthy
You will be picked up at your lodging in Anchorage for the van ride to McCarthy. It will take about 8 hours for the drive but you won’t get bored. The route passes through some stunning country in the Matanuska valley. When you see Mt. Drum looming straight ahead, then you will know we’re getting close. We arrive in McCarthy around 5 - 6:00 PM. As soon as everyone is checked into the hotel, we meet with our backcountry guide at their headquarters. The guide does a gear shakedown to make sure everyone has what the need... but nothing that they don’t. We all get a plastic, bear canister chock full of tasty meals and snacks. After cramming all of our newly acquired gear into our packs, we meet up at the New Golden Saloon for some dinner, a few brews and if we’re lucky maybe a bit of local bluegrass entertainment. Overnight McCarthy, hotel

Day 3: Our pilot lands the DeHaviland Beaver on a sandy mesa near Iceberg Lake. As the plane disappears over the ridge we shoulder our packs and head up the valley. It’s mostly pretty easy terrain today as we head towards the glacier. The edge of the ice is always a nice spot to stop for lunch and get some instruction from the guide on how to put on crampons and travel safely over the glacier. Most people are surprised to find that the terrain of a glacier can vary from flat ice to jagged ridges with melt holes, streams, crevasses and other features. We take our time with the crossing and explore. Once across we clamber over a bit of rocky moraine and part way up a ridge to find a campsite with great views of the valley as well as the glacier we just crossed. (4-5 hours hiking) (L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 4: Today we leave our camp set up and enjoy a day of hiking and exploring with light day loads. There are lots of options up on the ridge so we settle on an itinerary that suits the group. Possibilities include heading up a nearby scramble peak, exploring some nearby lakes or if we’re ambitious we could drop down over the other side of the ridge for a look at the next valley. Our plans for the day will be determined by the interests of the group. The guide will determine what will work best for everyone. (3-6 hours hiking, day packs only) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 5: On the third day we usually pack up and move our camp again. This time we head the other direction down the valley but on the opposite side. Down on the flats we enjoy the easy travel with a few easy stream crossing tossed in just for fun. But eventually we do have to earn our supper and do some uphill hiking to get to our lofty perch that will be our final campsite. The views from here are just stunning especially when the late afternoon light rakes the peaks and ice. This area makes for some great photos. The ridge has also been a good place for spotting bears in the past! (4-6 hours hiking) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 6: Another base camp day! Once again we set out for some exploring with day packs. The options are many as we head higher up the ridge and discover hidden places tucked away where you would never expect them. We may head up the ridge crest or check out the large expanse of glacier, not in the valley this time but high up at the source! (3-6 hours hiking, day packs only) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 7: Hard to believe that it’s already our last day and time to head back. But the adventure is far from over as we make our way down into the valley for a challenging stream crossing. The stream is made of meltwater from the glacier we crossed on the first day of our trek. It can be a challenging crossing so the guide is careful in the selection of a crossing spot. We learn and practice group crossing techniques before linking up and venturing out into the silty, and very cold water. Once across there’s a bit of hooting and stomping as we celebrate our success and try to get warmed up again. Sometime in the afternoon we hear the powerful engine of the Beaver heading our way. We enjoy a nice flight back to McCarthy with thoughts of hot showers and cold beers dancing in our heads. (3-4 hours hiking) (B & L) Overnight McCarthy, hotel

Day 8: Van transportation from McCarthy to Anchorage
We depart after breakfast for the return trip to Anchorage. We should arrive in Anchorage by 6:00 PM. You can make arrangements for a night flight out of Anchorage or stay overnight and depart the following day.

Please let us know if you need an reccomendation for lodging in Anchorage.

NOTE: Please remember that itineraries may be changed to meet the specific needs of each group, weather concerns or other concerns.

CONDITIONING: Moderate, w/some strenuous sections
A moderate rating for a trip does not mean that there will not be any effort required or advance conditioning needed.
Basecamp Trips: Some basecamp trips require a hike of several miles carrying full packs to get to the area of our camp. From the basecamp we will make day trips of varying length and difficulty. Packs for the day hikes will be light but you should be prepared for a full day of travel over rugged ground. You should begin your conditioning no later than two months prior to the start of your trip. By the end of your conditioning period, you should be able to hike for six hours over difficult terrain carrying a day pack without feeling unduly tired the next morning.
Backpack Trips: Trips with this rating are generally over terrain that is not extreme. But even level ground can make for challenging hiking when you are traveling without the benefit of trails. You will be carrying a heavy pack in the 40 pound range and moving over rugged ground. You should begin your conditioning plan at least two months before your trip and include hiking or walking with a 30-40 pound pack.

The better your level of conditioning, the more you will enjoy your trip.

CLICK HERE FOR PACKING LIST

For reservations or questions please call 1-888-755-TREK or e mail us at becky@emstrek.com

Call 888-755-8735 / Contact Us