Alaska Basin Backpack
Jackson, WY
5.0 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Stunning Views of the Tetons
- Glaciers & Soaring Peaks
- Abundant Wildlife
- Pristine Rivers & Creeks
- Spectacular Alpine Day Hikes
- Wild, Stunningly Scenic West Tetons
- Breathtaking Basecamp for 3 Nights
Description
This justifiably popular trip takes us into a breathtaking basin below the towering peaks of the Tetons. With spectacular views surrounding us much of the time, we follow Teton Creek up a glacial-carved valley with fascinating geological formations to a breathtaking alpine camp. From our camp we day hike for the next two days, exploring the stunning west side of the American West’s most famous mountain range. We’ll keep an eye out for classic Wyoming wildlife like elk, deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, marmots and bears. On our final day we break camp and descend back out of the mountains. This trip is an amazing way to explore and experience Wyomings amazing Teton mountains!
One of the very unique opportunities this trip provides is the ability to not have to move camp every day. By basecamping in the same camp for 3 nights, it allows us to day hike and explore the Tetons, only requiring 2 days of hiking with heavier multi-day backpacks. This trip is a great option for anyone interested in exploring Wyoming’s spectacular mountains and is also a great option for families.
This trip is operated by Wildland Llamas, an authorized backpacking and llama outfitter in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
$1405 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 30-40 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 6-8 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 2200 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 2200 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Established, rugged trails
- Additional:
- This trip requires significant days of hiking of between 6 and 8 miles each day, plus significant elevation gain on each hike. Some of the hiking is rugged on rocky and rugged trails, with some off-trail hiking.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- regularly exercise vigorously
- be comfortable hiking, biking, running, or swimming for several hours without many breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 4
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Tetons backpacking trip a solitude 4. You can expect to see a couple other groups of hikers per day.
TRAVEL TO JACKSON
All Beyond Yellowstone trips begin and end in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole has an airport served by United, Delta, and American Airlines. One can also fly into Salt Lake City and drive to Jackson Hole. It is a 4.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole on good roads.
Shuttle from Jackson Airport to Town
A Black Car Service (307-413-2572) provides private airport transportation. Advance reservations are recommended.
Shuttle from Salt Lake to Jackson
Salt Lake Express (800-356-9796 or 208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily vans from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole. Advance reservations required.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 90+ minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
This Tetons backpacking trip begins with pick you up at your hotel in Jackson Hole, after which we proceed to the trailhead. After a final pack-fitting we’ll begin our hike up the trail toward Alaska Basin. Today is a sustained uphill hike but we are richly rewarded with stunning mountain scenery along the entire length of our hike. We’ll take frequent breaks to savor the views, snack, and keep our energy high. If we are lucky we may spot moose grazing near the creek. As we climb higher into the mountains and closer to camp we’ll be presented with amazing views back down the canyon behind and below us. Before too long we’ll find ourselves in stunning Alaska Basin, a rocky cirque comprised of alpine lakes and cascading creeks that slice through wildflower-filled meadows. Alaska Basin is surrounded by the towering cliffs and summits of the Teton Range. Once in camp we’ll relax and enjoy some rest in one of the most beautiful settings in the Rockies. We’ll end the day around a campfire with a hearty backcountry dinner, and later a much-deserved night of sleep.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 6-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1400 feet
We’ll start our second day with a steaming cup of coffee or tea and a feast of a breakfast. Then it’s off to explore these amazing mountains! On this trip we stay in the same camp for multiple nights, allowing us to explore the Tetons’ high country with light day packs. Today we’ll tackle the Death Canyon Shelf, which is a spectacular terrace that runs two and a half miles in length above the cliffs of Death Canyon. Death Canyon is a breathtaking gorge that slices through the mountains toward Jackson Hole. Today’s hike offers spectacular views of the Teton Crest, including the Grand, Middle, and South Teton peaks. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at our high point on the Shelf before turning back toward camp.
Back at camp we’ll have time to relax before we gather for another exceptional backcountry dinner and roaring campfire!
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1800 feet
Today is for many guests the highlight of this trip! We’ll have a quick breakfast to facilitate an early start, and then begin our hike to the absolutely stunning and unforgettable Hurricane Pass. Our hike is relatively arduous today, with elevation gaina and loss of nearly 2,000 feet, and at elevation (over 10,000 feet). Breathtaking, expansive views (and photography opportunities!) of the Grand Tetons await at the high perch of Hurricane Pass. The pass also offers incredible views down into multiple basins surrounded by an out-of-this-world landscape of recently deposited moraine, snow fields, alpine lakes, and glaciers. We’ll take our time to savor the views and the experience of being in this richly rewarding place. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and eventually return to camp.
We’ll celebrate our last night in the wilderness with a hearty feast and another cozy campfire before turning in for a very restful night of sleep.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
- Elevation Loss: 2200 feet
- Shuttle to Jackson: 90+ minutes
We’ll wake up, enjoy a hot breakfast and tea/coffee before breaking camp and beginning our careful descent down Teton Canyon. Although we’re going down the route we ascended on Day 1, the views are amazingly difference since we’re looking back toward the lower valleys instead of up at the high peaks. We’ll keep our eyes out for wildlife as we descend, and eventually arrive back at the trailhead. We’ll shuttle back to Jackson Hole for much deserved beds and showers, and say our fond farewells at the conclusion of this extraordinary trip.
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Wyoming backpacking guide
- 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.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson, Wyoming to the trailhead and back
- Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and your kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
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, couscous, 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 (fresh and dried). 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, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Mountain Safety Research cooking stoves
- Mountain Safety Research cookware
- Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear To Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter waterbottles per person, either a headlamp or flashlight per person, and a lightweight waterproof stuff sac for your clothes and belongings. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 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. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional Wyoming hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) 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
The standard ratio of guests to guides on this trip is 6 guest and 1 guide, or up to 12 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Weather in Northern Wyoming
Being a Northern mountain environment, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Wyoming’s mountains. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. 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 around Yellowstone:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 70° | 42° |
| July | 80° | 47° |
| August | 78° | 45° |
| September | 68° | 37° |
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
Of course campsites vary tremendously 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 backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Kathleen C.
Fantastic Trip!!
Truly fantastic backpacking trip!!! Pack in the gear and spend the rest of the days with light day packs and absolutely spectacular views. Well worth the effort - a must do in this area.
Joan A.
Superb...Again!
Book it, pack up and go to the Alaska Basin in the Tetons! And do it with this company only! This is my second trip with Wildland and again, it was superb:) The views are so stunning that it exceeds words to describe. Wildland is so good at what they do that there is zero doubt the trip will be less than stellar. So go! Relax, day dream, breathe it all in and experience the outdoors:)
Heather H.
Third Wildland Trip - Wonderful!
All three of our Wildland Trekking trips have been wonderful! We appreciate the well-planned routes, professional guides, fabulous food, good gear and great company. Alaska Basin combined some of the most spectacular mountain vistas in America with beautiful lakes and streams and acres of gorgeous wildflowers.
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