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Hiking Alaska's
Wrangell St
Elias Natlonal Park
Falcon Guides
Hiking Alaska's
Wrangell St
Elias Natlonal Park
Falcon Guides
Shorter, closer to Anchorage - ridge walk with awesome Denali views! Great for those not looking for a hard core Alaska trip. We do backpack most days on this trip but once we hump it up the ridge the terrain eases back a bit. Good for fit beginners.
Everyone wants to get a view of the big one when they come to Alaska - Denali, the tallest peak in North America. Kesugi Ridge offers moderate backpacking in Denali State Park. Kesugi Ridge is an ideal vantage point from which to view this massive mountain and its neighbors. Kesugi Ridge is located directly across the Parks Highway from Denali National Park.
If you like wide open tundra, high country hiking, endless exploration, alpine lakes and jaw dropping views then this trip will leave you satisfied! There are great wildlife spotting opportunities including moose, bear, caribou and beaver. There are some interesting rock formations mid-trip that just beg to be explored.
This hiking trip is perfect for those who are hikers but don't have a lot of backpacking experience. The first day involves a hike up the ridge but once on top the terrain is more moderate.
Not everyone has the time or inclination to do an extended backpacking trip in the more remote corners of Alaska. The price includes all costs from departure Anchorage to return to Anchorage including all transportation.
On day one we depart Anchorage and are eating lunch on the trail. The last day we hike out we spend the night in Anchorage. So is a great trip for folks who don't have the time available to get to our more remote treks.
We are only offering this trip a few times this summer so be sure to sign up early as it will fill fast!
| Pre Trip | Arrive in Anchorage 1 day prior to the start date of your trek. Meet with your guide for a gear review as well as food/gear distribution. |
| Day 1 | The bus picks you up at your Anchorage hotel around 8:00 am for the drive to the trailhead at Little Coal Creek. We hit the ground running and hike up onto the ridge in the afternoon. Though this is a moderate rated trip, it is a bit of a hump to get onto the ridge. You should be in good hiking shape. |
| Day 2-4 | We spend the next several days at an easy pace as we make our way down the ridge to Byers Lake. We will probably spend two nights in one spot so we can do a bit of local exploring with lighter loads. There is a really cool rock formation at one point that we will have to stop and check out for sure. |
| Day 5 | On our last trail day we drop down off the ridge to Byers Lake where we hop the bus for the ride back to Anchorage. On arrival everyone gets checked into their hotel (not included) and we meet up for one last celebratory dinner. In the morning catch a flight home or continue your Alaskan travels. |
How Do We Get to Denali State Park?
Shuttle Van
A shuttle service provides van transportation between Anchorage and trail heads in the park. The shuttle departs Anchorage early, around 7:00 am arriving around lunch time at the trailhead.
Cost of the bus ride is included in Denali State Park treks.
Where Do We Meet?
You'll meet your hiking guide and the rest of the group in Anchorage for an orientation meeting around 6:00 p.m. the evening before the trip begins. On the detailed itinerary this is listed as Day 0. If you are unable to book a flight that arrives in Anchorage by late afternoon of Day 0, it would be advisable to arrive a day earlier. You will be in contacted several weeks before your trip and we will specify the exact location of the orientation meeting at that point.
Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our treks are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are certified wilderness first responders or EMT's, each with years of wilderness experience. On most treks the guide carries a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 9074.554.1088 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
We prefer to run small groups and our clients like it that way too. The standard group size on backpacking trips is 5 guests and 1 guide. Larger groups are possible for private trips. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 907.554.1088 and we'll answer all your questions.
Weather in the Denali Country
Alaska is pretty far north and like any mountain evirronment we are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. 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 in mountains. July is especialy variable and we have had temps hit the low 80s some summers. Mid August is when things start to cool down a bit but still great hikng weather.
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | |||
What's Included
What's Not Included
: See the Gear List for detailed information on what clothes and gear to bring on your trek.
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, 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. 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 and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
