Situated in Southwest Alaska, 100 miles from Anchorage and with no roads leading to it, Lake Clark National Park is the epitome of serene wilderness and unspoiled nature. This pristine paradise boasts just about everything you can imagine—spectacular glaciers, turquoise lakes, freshwater rivers, open tundra, snow-capped mountains, broad valleys—you name it, the park’s got it. The area is also home to a wealth of wildlife and a wide variety of ecosystems, meaning that you’re bound to run into a variety of animals such as caribou, soaring bald eagles, and bears feasting on tons of salmon. Although the area is not easily accessible and can only be reached by plane, it is ideal for hardcore fastpackers who aim to avoid tourists and have this tranquil place to themselves. The fact that the area has so much to offer means that you’ll have to cover a lot of ground to discover it the right way. Join a guide and let them show you the expansive Alaskan landscapes, versatile terrain and rich flora and fauna on this wild fastpacking adventure!
Dive into the magical world of Lake Clark National Park and connect yourself with nature on this exhilarating fastpacking adventure! Soak up the surreal vistas and abundant wildlife while passing through the remote Alaskan wilderness with no trails or campsites. This adventure may be challenging for the body, but it will be immensely rewarding for the mind. Pack lightly and experience this tranquil paradise alongside an experienced guide who’ll tailor a perfect week for you and make sure you don’t miss out on anything!
On the first day of the adventure, you’ll meet up with your guide in Anchorage, check out the gear and then go on a thrilling bush-plane ride down the coast of the peninsula. You’ll then make a pit stop for lunch on the shores of Lake Clark and fly again, only this time in a float plane, over magnificent rivers and snow-capped mountains into the wilderness of Lake Clark National Park. The plane will drop you off at Telaquana Lake’s shores and your fast-paced Alaskan adventure can officially begin!
After camping on the shores of Telaquana Lake, you’ll eat and head over your first mountain pass and traverse scree fields and boulders, then head out onto the tundra. You’ll have to watch for the herds of caribou, soaring eagles, and brown bears enjoying tons of salmon in rivers and streams. Alaskan summers are long, so you’ll take advantage of the long daylight to cover a lot of ground. The route then rises in broad tundra through broad valleys. In the evenings, you and the rest of the participants will rest up, rejuvenate, read and play cards around the fire. On Day 6, you’ll be camped a short few miles from the shores of Twin Lakes.
On the last day of this adventure, you’ll wake up early and a plane will pick you up on the shores of Twin Lakes. Head towards Port Alsworth, a community inside the park, and have celebratory lunch before flying the second leg to Anchorage where this dynamic adventure ends.
The BUSH FLIGHT! I swear everything else was great, but the bush flight alone made it all worth it.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to participate in this adventure, you need to have a very good level of fitness, be physically fit for the adventure and be willing to pack lightly! There are no trails or established campsites and a mile here generally feels like 4 miles of trail in the lower 48 states. This is a fastpacking trip, meaning you’ll be moving fast and covering up to 10 miles per day. Although it doesn’t sound like much, 10 miles off trail in Alaska can feel like a mini marathon. The elevation gain ranges from 500 to 2000 m. Keep in mind, you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Your guide will send you a detailed itinerary and gear list after booking.
Group sizes and prices:
Fastpacking in Lake Clark National Park can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has fastpackers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Lake Clark National Park, most people fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, about an hour’s flight from Lake Clark National Park.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet up with your guide in Anchorage and then head out on a stunning bush-plane ride to reach Lake Clark National Park. Your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group. On the last day of this adventure, you’ll fly back to Anchorage.
Itineraries in Alaska are a shifting thing. It is best to book your flights 2 days after your expected arrival in Anchorage. It is not uncommon for plans to change due to weather conditions.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lake Clark National Park, AK, please refer to the The State of Alaska website, National Park Service Public Health Update and National Park Service, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Secure your place with a $1000 deposit due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 4 months (120 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies:
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or of the trip being canceled.
No refunds will be provided for any reason for unused portion of a trip once the trip begins, including if you leave a trip for any reason or have to be removed from a trip. The trip price is a package cost and refunds and credits are not available for services not used.
I kinda thought I didn’t need a guide for this trip. I’m an avid backpacker. But once the plane took off I was so glad I did. Jack made the trip smooth and comfortable and I learned a ton navigating with his guidance.