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Hiking Alaska's
Wrangell St
Elias Natlonal Park
Falcon Guides
Hiking Alaska's
Wrangell St
Elias Natlonal Park
Falcon Guides
Enjoy deep wilderness adventure without heavy backpacking loads. On this base-camp style trip near the shores of Turquoise Lake the focus is on day hikes that can be as mellow or adventurous as you want.
No need to hump loaded backpacks to get into true wilderness. Land on the pristine waters of Turquoise Lake in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. There are no roads into this park so this is truly remote.
Spend 4 days hiking and exploring the area around Turquoise Lake. There is a range of possibilities from easier hikes upstream of the lake to more aggressive trips up the surrounding ridges. Or just take a day off and enjoy fishing for the many Grayling that popuate the lake!
This is a great trip if you are on a limited schedule. You don't have to drive halfway across Alaska to get to the start of your trip. The trip originates in Anchorage and flys directly to Turquoise Lake. Breakfast in Anchorage and lunch in the wilderness.
We can customize this trip to the abilities and interests of your group.
| Pre Trip | Arrive in Anchorage. You will meet with the guide around 5:30 pm for a gear review to make sure you are properly equipped. The guide will distribute food and group gear as well as review logistics for the flight into Lake Clark the next morning. |
| Day 1 | We meet up at Lake Hood and board the DeHavilland Beaver on floats for a 90 minute flight into Lake Clark National Park. And what a flight it is. You will be amazed as we fly over mountain terrain so remote and raw that it is seldom if ever travelled. At last we and on the pristine waters of Turquoise Lake. We set up camp not far from the lake and prepare lunch. |
| Day 2-3 | The next several days are spent exploring the area around the lake. If the group is feeling energetic we might head up the ridge for expansive views. Or we might explore the area upstream from the lake. If we feel like a lazy day we might spend the afternoon fishing for the many Grayling that populate the lake. |
| Day 4 | Our final day in the backcountry. We bid farewell to this idyllic spot and board the Beaver for the flight back to Anchorage. |
How Do We Get to Lake Clark?
The only way to get to Lake Clark National Park is by air out of Anchorage.
Airfare into Port Alsworth (gateway to the backcountry) is included in Trek Alaska rates for Lake Clark treks. Lake Clark Air provides our flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth as well as bush flights into the backcountry.
Where Do We Meet?
You'll meet your hiking guide and the rest of the group in Anchorage for an orientation meeting around 6:00 p.m. the evening before the trip begins. On the detailed itinerary this is listed as Day 0. If you are unable to book a flight that arrives in Anchorage by late afternoon of Day 0, it would be advisable to arrive a day earlier. You will be in contacted several weeks before your trip and we will specify the exact location of the orientation meeting at that point.
Drop Off/PickupTimes
We like to get an early start on the first day as it might take two flights to get everyone into the backcountry. Check-in time at Merril field is usually 7:30 am for the flight to Port Alsworth. The guide will review these logistics at the meeting the night before.
Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our treks are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are certified wilderness first responders or EMT's, each with years of wilderness experience. On most treks the guide carries a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 9074.554.1088 for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size
We prefer to run small groups and our clients like it that way too. The standard group size on backpacking trips is 5 guests and 1 guide. Larger groups are possible for private trips. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 907.554.1088 and we'll answer all your questions.
Weather in the Mountains
Alaska is pretty far north and like any mountain evirronment we are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures in the Lake Clark area. July is especialy variable and we have had temps hit the low 80s some summers. Mid August is when things start to cool down a bit but still great hikng weather.
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | |||
What's Included
What's Not Included
: See the Gear List for detailed information on what clothes and gear to bring on your trek.
Meals: What To Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
