Equinox Expeditions
Home About Us Our Philosophy Reservations
Equinox Rafting Banner Image Equinox Expeditions






You are viewing: Home > Backpacking > Denali Alpine
Alaska: Denali Alpine Trek

Location: Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Trip Length: 6 days
Activities: Backpacking through alpine tundra region over trailless, uneven terrain. Wildlife and scenic photography.
Dates: July 11-16, 2010. Custom dates available upon request
Price: $2195 from Anchorage)
Rating: M

Join us on this quick getaway to the mountain fortress of the Talkeetna Mountains, where we spend our days hiking in high alpine areas between a series of spectacular glacial lakes. The mountains will always be in our view: to the west, the stunning Alaska Range, with Mt. McKinley (Denali) rising above all the other peaks; and to the east of us are the 8,000 foot Talkeetna Mountains. The area offers great alpine (treeless) hiking, as well as opportunities to climb up rocky ridges for absolutely breathtaking views of Denali, North America's highest peak at 20,320 feet, and the Alaska Range. We find exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation, and great hiking. Inaccessible by road, we will fly into the wilderness by bush floatplane. Caribou, grizzly bears, moose, wolves, and wolverines are among the wildlife we might see. Golden plovers, whimbrels, jaegers, northern wheatears and rosy finches all nest in this area. Wildflowers grace the tundra from late June through July.

Our trip starts in Anchorage, where we meet you at your hotel, then drive immediately north of the city, along the Chugach Mountains and through the Matanuska Valley, where we will stop to pick up any food, snacks or supplies that you might want. We continue north to Talkeetna (2 hr. drive). Talkeetna is a town with an authentic pioneer feel. This is the staging ground for climbing expeditions to Denali and other peaks in the Alaska Range. We can step into Alaska's history at the Fairview Inn, and sample one of Alaska's microbrews. We check into our lodge for the evening, have dinner, and take a walking tour of the town, and a walk down to the river. Talkeetna is actually closer to Mt. McKinley than the entrance of Denali National Park. If the mountain's out, you'll get spectacular views of North America's tallest peak.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we meet up with our bush pilot on a lake at the edge of Talkeetna. Our flight takes us over the vast terrain where we will hike. On clear days, the views are outstanding. We land on one of the small alpine lakes nestled in the mountains. Then we set off with backpacks. Each day we awake in our small mountain tents, then eat breakfast, pack up, and set off for another day of walking and observing wildlife, scenic views, wildflowers and birds.

There are no manmade trails in the area. We walk on the open tundra, or follow wildlife trails. Our schedule is flexible. We take plenty of breaks to enjoy the scenery or to scramble up to the top of a ridge. You'll feel like you're on top of the world as we cross the vast, wild country, and gaze down on rivers and forest, and the glaciers rising to the top of North AmericaÕs highest mountains. This adventure is for hikers of all ages with some overnight camping and hiking experience. You have the chance to be immersed in a truly pristine Alaskan wilderness.

If you want to experience Alaska's alpine, without the crowds and noisy skies of Denali National Park, join us for a trek through a quintessential Alaska wilderness, complete with its own caribou herd, wolf pack, and never-ending scenery.

"There is something about experiencing that kind of wilderness...you can never forget. It becomes a part of you..."
-N. Aiello, California





Itinerary
Day 0 Travel to Anchorage, Alaska. The group generally plans to meet for dinner the night before the trip to go over final trip details of our adventure and to get acquainted. Overnight accommodations are on your own, but we can help you with suggestions and bookings at our favorite bed and breakfasts and hotels in Anchorage.

Day 1 Pick-up at your hotel by van. Drive to Talkeetna, while enjoying the scenery in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Stop for provisions in Wasilla, and continue to Talkeetna, a total of about 2 hours of driving time. Arrive in Talkeetna, check into lodge. Dinner and optional after dinner tour of Talkeetna, with stop for drinks at historic Fairview Inn. Overnight at lodge.

Breakfast at the lodge, then transfer to floatplane lake where we meet our bush pilot. Fly to destination lake in Talkeetna Mountains. Set off with packs. Here in the high country, we hike and explore, looking for Dall sheep, wolves, grizzly bears, caribou, wildflowers.

Days 2-6 Hiking and camping in the alpine, surrounded by spectacular peaks. on our last day, we are camped at a small alpine lake.We pack up our camp and fly by bush floatplane to Talkeetna. Drive back to Anchorage. If time, no-host group lunch or dinner. Depart for home in evening, or overnight in Anchorage.
Included in trip costs
  • All transportation beyond Anchorage
  • Lodging in Talkeetna for one night
  • All meals in the field
  • Group cooking, camping, medical and safety equipment
  • Expert leadership
Not included in trip costs
  • Dinner the first night in Talkeetna
  • Extra snacks or meals you purchase on your own
  • Sleeping bag and pad, and personal equipment
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Guide gratuities
Call or E-mail us for the complete packet on this expedition.




About Equinox  |  Philosophy  |  Reservations  |  Contact  |  Site Map  |  Links  |  
Equinox Wilderness Expeditions | 2440 E. Tudor Road, #1102, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (206) 462-5246 | E.mail: info@equinoxexpeditions.com
*2009 All rights reserved.