Bomber Traverse Backpacking Adventure
Guides Choice Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 25MI / 40KM
Trip Highlights
Considered by some to be the BEST backpacking adventure of its length not only in Alaska, but in all of the United States, the Bomber Traverse is a must-do trip for ambitious hikers who love remote, wild mountains. This trip is a point-to-point hike that takes us along roaring creeks, over high passes, across precarious boulder fields and even onto the ice of ancient glaciers. And we visit the namesake feature of this trip: the wreckage of a TB-29 Superfortress Bomber that crashed in inclement weather on the glacier in 1957. Don’t miss this extraordinary Alaskan backpacking adventure!
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Remote Wilderness
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Breathtaking Views
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Ancient Glaciers
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Alpine Lakes
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Plane Crash Wreckage
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High Mountain Passes
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guides Choice Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 7 miles -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
Although this trip’s length is moderate, the ruggedness of the terrain makes it a Level 5 difficulty backpacking trip. Expect off-trail hiking conditions on alpine ridges, boulder fields, muddy/boggy areas, glaciers, craggy cliffs and more. We also have several creek crossings and a strong possibility of inclement weather.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
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: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,470 feet
Today we will leave from Anchorage and make our way up to the gorgeous mountain playground of Hatcher’s Pass, and to our starting trailhead. Today’s hike takes us along an old mining road and then a narrow path. Our trail becomes increasingly rocky, near beaver ponds and along the Little Susitna River. Our hike takes us along the Little Susitna River and up the valley into the high country. As we gain elevation, we soak up sweeping views of the gorgeous Talkeetna Mountain Range, with its jagged peaks, turquoise alpine lakes and sparkling glaciers. We will make camp and enjoy a much-deserved hot dinner before turning in for good night’s sleep.
Day 2
Hiking Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet
Today is a modest day in terms of mileage, but it is a rugged and technical day of hiking. We will traverse an off-trail section through boulder fields to the top of a glacier and the “Backdoor Gap,” which requires some climbing using fixed ropes. On the other side of the Gap, we enter Penny Royal Glacier and descend on the glacier itself, which is a welcome change from the earlier boulder field hiking. Eventually the ice runs out and we find ourselves on tundra, where we will set up camp for the next two nights.
Day 3
Hiking Distance: 3 mile day hike
Elevation Gain: 450 feet
Elevation Loss: 450 feet
Today is a layover day to explore the Bomber Glacier and the crashed bomber itself. We will leave camp set up and hike up to the glacier and the crash site. On November 15, 1957, a crew of 10 airmen in a TB-29 Superfortress Bomber — a variant of the B-29 bomber used in World War II — was conducting a training exercise when they lost visibility and orientation in thick clouds and crashed into the glacier. Six crew members tragically did not survive. The wreckage of the plane has never been removed. Today, twisted propellers, wheels, and large sections of the wings and fuselage remained scattered across the snow and ice.
Day 4
Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Elevation Loss: 1400 feet
Today we leave Bomber Glacier behind and hike down out of the high country along a pristine snow-fed creek, with stunning views gracing our descent in all directions. We will take our time today and relish our breathtaking surroundings. It feels wonderful to be alive and be able to explore this amazing dramatic landscape! We will celebrate our final night in the backcountry with a final, delicious hot dinner prepared by your guide(s).
Day 5
Hiking Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,000 feet
Shuttle to Anchorage: 1.5 hours
Our final hike welcomes us back to a hiking trail and leads us out of the mountains, past several pristine lakes to our finishing trailhead. Our vehicle will be a welcome site. A scenic drive takes us down from the mountains, through the town of Wasilla and back to Anchorage, where we’ll say our fond farewells.
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
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Bear canisters for food storage
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleepings
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
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.
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
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