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

7 Days Backpacking with a Bush Plane Flight into Alaska's Backcountry

There is a great deal of 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: We get an early start and begin our trek with a bush flight. Our begins in the remote valley on an airstrip so small we have to be ferried in one at a time in a super cub. You might want to close your eyes as we drop down into the little-used airstrip along Canyon Creek - but not to worry, our pilot is one of the best backcountry pilots in the area. (about 4 hours hiking) (L & D) Overnight Camping

No sooner are we out of the plane than we face the first challenge of our trek - a turbulent stream crossing - but it's not as bad as it looks. Once safely across, we will want to get moving to warm up our chilly legs. We hike for a few hours up Canyon Creek till we get to the base of a rib that will lead us up and over a high ridge. Due to the logistics of getting into this remote spot, it's often lunchtime before we get going from the airstrip. So we start with a shorter day as the next day requires us to get up and over a ridge that would be too much for the first day.

Day 4: It's a challenging day and a real hump to get up the ridge, so we take our time and take a slow but steady pace. The hike to the top is demanding but when we stand on the crest and suck up the amazing views of the University range, it's well worth the effort. This is one of the best viewpoints on the trip. Depending on how long it took us to hit the ridge, we might take a little side trip along the crest. Then it's all down hill as we cruise into a great, stream-side campsite far below. (about 6-7 hours hiking) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 5: After a demanding day crossing the ridge we're happy to follow-up with an easier one. Our day begins with a steep bit up along the side of a rock glacier, but this is a much shorter ascent than yesterday. Crossing the rock glacier requires some careful footwork but soon we are on the other side. Depending on the weather, and our energy, we might take a side trip to get a nice view of Pyramid Peak. Then it's downhill once again to set camp in the most amazing wildflower meadow filled with Monk's Hood, Lupine, Fireweed and more. (about 4 hours hiking) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 6: Rested up from our easier day, we once again have a full day ahead of us. But what a rewarding hike as we do a high traverse around the base of Pyramid Peak. When we hit the top of our final ridge a whole new face of Pyramid explodes into view inviting nice rest break and photos. A quick descent to the stream below brings us to a lovely lunch spot. From here it's fairly easy hiking to our camp, well except for our ascent up the Anvil. It's really steep, but really short and once up, were 20 minutes from camp. (about 7 hours hiking) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 7: After our longer day it's time for another mellower one - are you seeing a pattern here? Today we leave camp set up and take off for some exploring with light day packs. There are several routes we can check out as we get some up close looks at Pyramid Peak. We're back in camp by early to mid afternoon for a bit of loafing and rest before dinner. (3-4 hour optional day hike with day packs) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 8: You guessed it - a longer day of hiking today so we'll want an early start. We get right down to it and head up the crest of a narrow ridge that puts us on the shoulder of Andrus which looms above us. From the top we enjoy amazing views all around including one last look at Pyramid. This is the favorite viewpoint for many people. After enjoying the high views, we drop down the snowfield on the other side. Stream crossings, boulder fields and other challenges wait, but so do some interesting surprises like an old gold mine shaft that doesn't appear on the map. We make our final camp on the bank of Rex Creek. (about 8 hours hiking) (B, L & D) Overnight Camping

Day 9: Our last day of hiking will be a fairly easy one for the most part. After a careful crossing of Rex and White Creeks, we drop our gear and explore the collapsing ruins of Chititu Camp, once an active gold mining settlement in the middle of the wilderness. Remains of cabins, barns, chicken coops and other structures wait our discovery. Next we resume our backpacking trip and travel down what remains of the old road that was once the miners access to Chititu, though it's more a trail than a road these days. We will arrive at May Creek in the early afternoon.The large strip at May Creek allows for a plane big enough to carry our entire group and all of our gear. It’s a short flight back to McCarthy and the world of hot showers. (about 6 hours hiking) (B & L) Overnight McCarthy, Hotel

Day 10: 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 remember that you will need to arrange lodging for this night in Anchorage)

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