3-Day Chugach Adventure
Guided Backpacking Trips
23MI / 37KM
Trip Highlights
We designed this trip as an adventurous add-on experience to a longer Alaska adventure, or as a standalone getaway on its own! Considered by many people to offer one of the best adventures close to Anchorage, this stunning thru-hike takes us from the iconic town of Girdwood over the Chugach Mountains to Eagle River. Highlights of this trip include waterfalls, glaciers, alpine lakes, wildlife, breathtaking views and a lot more! To top it off, we also follow sections of the historic Iditarod Trail, making this a truly iconic Alaskan backcountry route.
-
Compact, 3-Day Adventure
-
Ancient Glaciers
-
Alpine Lakes
-
Abundant Wildlife
-
Rivers & Waterfalls
-
Dramatic Mountain Views
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
"*" indicates required fields
Is This Trip Right For me?
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1800 feet
Today we’ll get an early start from Anchorage and enjoy a scenic drive along the shore of Turnagain Arm, a northern branch of Cook Inlet. Our destination is a trailhead near the town of Girdwood, Alaska. Our hike starts with a steep ascent of nearly 2,300 feet over 3.5 miles to a prominent mountain pass with dramatic views of the Chugach Range. After a relaxing picnic lunch at the pass, overlooking views of stunning alpine lakes, jagged peaks and ancient glaciers, we will descend to our first night’s camp.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 8 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1600 feet
Today we’ll wake up to a hot breakfast with coffee or tea, then break camp and continue our adventurous, Alaska journey. On today’s hike we descend into the Eagle River Valley, where we’ll soak up world-class mountain views. Keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife, we hike through abundant willows and berry bushes, crossing several small creeks. We will eat lunch on the shores of Eagle River as your guide gives you instruction on river crossings. After lunch we’ll tackle the largest river ford on any Wildland trip: 150-200′ across. Chugach State Park has installed assigned markers, showing us exactly where to cross. After our river ford, we’ll continue down valley to camp near a beautiful waterfall.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 8 miles
- Elevation Loss: 200 feet
- Shuttle to Anchorage: 1.5 hours
On our final day we’ll again wake up to a delicious breakfast, then break camp for the final time. Today we’re hiking along the Eagle River, through high willows and close to the rushing water of the river. We’ll stop for a snack at “The Perch,” a spot with breathtaking views of the broad, Eagle River Valley. The trail becomes increasingly maintained as we hike, eventually leading us to the Eagle River Nature Center, where a shuttle driver will be waiting for us. We’ll enjoy a relaxing, scenic drive back to Anchorage, where we’ll say our fond farewells.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
What's Included
-
Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
-
High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
-
Bear canisters for food storage
-
Use of trekking poles
-
All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
-
Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
-
Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage and back
-
All entrance fees, permits and passes
-
Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
-
Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations) -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
-
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
-
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct an orientation meeting at 6:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. This will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Anchorage.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Anchorage
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Anchorage very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Anchorage are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country. Direct flights are often available from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Chicago and Las Vegas.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip communication. Generally, you can expect it to be around 6 am, although the exact time will depend on several factors such as planned activities, current weather and road conditions. On the final day of the trip, you can expect a return to Anchorage around 6-7 pm, and your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. Note: A variety of circumstances can influence our timeline on the final day of a trip, therefore Wildland Trekking does not guarantee return times.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. uninterrupted for a minimum of 8 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply