Wild Alaska Coast and Glacier Trek
Anchorage, AK
Trip Highlights
- Glaciers & Mountain Views
- Backcountry Day Hikes
- Abundant Wildlife
- Scenic Coastal Boat Rides
- Mountain Solitude
- Lake Kayaking to Glacier
- Fires on the Beach
Description
The trails and coastline of Kachemak Bay at the southwest tip of the Kenai Peninsula are some of the most majestic yet accessible stretches of wilderness that Alaska has to offer. Less than a half hour boat ride across the bay from the town of Homer is a backcountry playground for both Alaskans and visitors from around the world to enjoy. This ‘basecamp’ style backcountry trip allows guests to experience an ‘off the grid’ and minimalist camping experience of backpacking, without the demand of carrying heavy packs every day for several miles. At camp and on the water taxis, the opportunities to sea marine life like otters, orcas, sea lions and sea birds are endless. Both at camp and on trail, there are many chances to come across moose, mountain goats, bears, eagles and even salmon spawning. With day hikes to incredible vistas and through a variety of terrain, this trip offers greater opportunity to experience the incredible variety of what Alaska has to offer (including sea kayaking to a glacier!) than almost any other itinerary.
$2240 Per Person
$2465 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip only requires hiking with a multi-day backpack for limited periods. The rest of the hiking is with a day pack weighing 8-12 pounds. The trails are well-maintained, with rocky, muddy and possibly snow-covered sections. The hiking distances (up to 10 miles) and elevation gain/loss (up to 3,200 feet in a day) are moderately strenuous, but with only light day packs.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 10 miles
Backpack Weight:
25-35 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 3200 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking with a 35-45 lb backpack for up to 5 miles
- Hiking uphill, then downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 4
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Alaska backpacking adventure a solitude 4. You can expect to see a couple other groups of hikers per day.
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: 4.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Our Alaskan adventure begins with a drive from Anchorage through the Kenai Peninsula to ‘the end of the road’ at Homer. The Kenai, or locally known as “Alaskans’ Playground”, is known for its towering mountains, rich canyons, and turquoise-blue rivers teeming with salmon. Arriving at the Homer Harbor, we will quickly load our gear onto a water taxi for a 20 minute boat ride across Kachemak Bay to a remote shoreline. After a short 2 mile hike to a breathtaking, glacial lake, we’ll set up camp for the night and enjoy our first dinner in the backcountry.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles day hiking
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2200 feet
Our first day hike will be an out-and-back to the Alpine Ridge Trail, stopping by Grewingk Glacier Lake on the way. This majestic river of ice and the lake it creates are a centerpiece for many of the trails in Kachemak Bay, and a favorite for Alaskans as one of the glaciers accessible by day hiking trails that is less visited by tourists since not as many cruise ships are able to offer tours here. Continuing on to Alpine Ridge, we hike our way up beyond the tree line to gain views of Kachemak Bay’s landscape from above. We’ll enjoy lunch on the ridge, savoring the change in vegetation in this alpine zone and keeping an eye out for mountain goats, bears, marmots and pika. After our descent and return to camp, we’ll be plenty hungry for a warm meal and maybe even a fire in the cool dusk of the long Alaskan summer days.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Loss: 100 feet
Today we get up close and personal with the distant glacier that has been our backdrop at camp. Instead of hiking, we’ll kayak across the silty lake to explore the ice near the terminus of Grewingk Glacier. After kayaking back, we’ll break camp and move it to a spectacular site on the beach overlooking Kachemak Bay. Tonight we’ll keep an eye out for otters, whales and other marine life that frequent the shoreline as we enjoy another delicious dinner prepared by your guide.
Day 4 (5-Day Tour Only)
- Water Taxi: 25 minutes
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 3200 feet
This day is only offered on the 5-day itinerary. This morning after breakfast, we’ll take a detour from the north side of the park and hop on another water taxi for a trip to Grace Ridge. This trail is not accessible by the main network of trail systems, and we’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride through the territory of rich marine life that calls the Kenai coast home. We might see whales, orcas, porpoises, sea lions, otters, or even the Kenai’s famous puffin! Hiking to the top of Grace Ridge, we’ll return to the alpine for breathtaking views of the glacially carved inlets and channels of the peninsula’s southernmost region. Our water taxi will return us once again to our beach camp for a final night on the shores of Kachemak Bay.
Final Day
- Hiking Distance: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
- Shuttle: 4.5 hours
After enjoying one last meal in the backcountry and packing up camp, our water taxi will pick us up for the final time to return us to Homer. Departing from Homer we will travel once again through the Kenai and enjoy a hike through a pristine rainforest before returning to Anchorage, where we’ll say our goodbyes and begin dreaming of our next adventure.
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.
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
- 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 (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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.
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, Kelty or Big Agnes 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
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
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!
Trip Logistics
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. Generally, you can expect it to be around 5:30 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 normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
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 (EEC)
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. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 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
Weather in Alaska
This trip covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from coastal areas to mountains and tundra to glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re at the moment hiking in, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of Alaska:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Denali
|
Kenai
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
53°
|
41°
|
2.42 in
|
58°
|
46°
|
5.2 in
|
||
|
July
|
56°
|
45°
|
3.12 in
|
61°
|
50°
|
7.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
51°
|
41°
|
3.01 in
|
61°
|
55°
|
8.8 in
|
||
|
September
|
41°
|
31°
|
1.74 in
|
55°
|
49°
|
13.3 in
|
||
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.
Leave a Reply