Join Alaska Alpine Adventures this summer for a truly exploratory hiking and rafting expedition into the seldom visited Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve, located along the volcanically active “Ring of Fire” in the heart of the Aleutian mountains. Spend the first part of the trip hiking around Surprise Lake and exploring the 2500’ deep caldera, the impressive remnant of a massive volcanic eruption 3500 years ago. The expedition will culminate with an exciting four-day rafting trip down the spectacular Aniakchak River where you’ll float from a volcano to the sea. Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve, encompassing 586,000 acres of pristine Alaska wilderness, offers amazing hiking, incredible rafting, and some of the wildest weather in Alaska in one of the least visited and most remote units of the National Park System.
Trip Details
Duration
10 Days/9 Nights
Location
Aniakchak National Monument, Alaska
Season
June
Trip Type
Combo
Nearest City
King Salmon, Alaska
Physical Condition Required
Excellent
Destination(s)
Alaska, United States
Paddling Skill Level Required
Intermediate
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
8
Kayaks Supplied
Yes
Kayak Brands
SOAR Inflatable Canoes
Accommodations
One Night Rustic Lodge in Lake Clark National Park
Wilderness Tent Camping
Transportation to Start Site
Shuttle from Airport or Hotel to Merrill Field
Dining
Gourmet-Quality Camp Cuisine
This is the best part of providing a uniquely gourmet experience to every client. Each adventure is made a dash more savory with delicious food recipes developed over the years by founder-guide-chef Derek Nelson. Smiles of approval have led the way to a camp menu you might never imagine, let alone expect, this far from civilization.
About Liquor
BYOB
Rates
$4,850.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Scenic Flight/Orientation You’ll begin the day with an amazing scenic flight through Lake Clark Pass to the bush community of Port Alsworth. A charming town on the edge of Lake Clark, it is the gateway to Lake Clark National Park and home to Alaska Alpine's summer base of operations. After meeting your guides and settling into your lakeside accommodations, and a hike in the park, the group will meet for dinner and conclude the day with an orientation and gear check.
Day 2: Scenic Flight/Drop Off After breakfast, board a charter flight to King Salmon, where, if the weather cooperates, you’ll board a floatplane destined for Surprise Lake within the Aniakchak Caldera. As you unload gear and establish camp on the shores of the lake’s azure waters, you are sure to be awestruck by the magnitude of your surroundings. With mountains surrounding you on all sides, the outside world will seem distant and detached. Solitude at its finest.
Days 3-5: Hiking Take the next three days to explore this hidden gem. With daypacks containing essentials, head out in search of adventure. Whether climbing to the caldera’s rim or scanning for wildlife along the lake's edge, you are sure to feel immersed in the wilderness that surrounds you!
Day 6: River Rafting Today, trade your trekking poles for paddles as you break down camp and load boats for the descent down the Aniakchak River, a nationally registered Wild & Scenic River. The river runs swift as it exits the caldera through the famed “Gates”. Losing almost 75’ per mile, this section of the river requires careful navigation through car-sized boulders and exciting rapids!
Days 7-9: River Rafting Spend four total days on the river, taking time to enjoy the wilderness that surrounds you, and anticipating the changes you will see as you scan the horizon for the Pacific Ocean. On the shores of Aniakchak Bay, you’ll share a final camp with the residents of this coastal environment, including seals, sea otters and the sea birds that call this magical place home.
Day 10: Pick-Up/Return to Anchorage Weather permitting, you’ll again revel in the skill of bush pilots as they whisk you back to King Salmon and the conclusion of your adventure. From King Salmon, you’ll catch a flight back to Anchorage. Please make certain that you schedule all homebound flights from Anchorage for after 11:00pm or you can opt to stay in Anchorage overnight.
This Package Includes
All group camping gear (tents, stoves, fuel, etc.) and safety equipment.
Professional guide service at a 4:1 client-to-guide ratio or better.
All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day of the itinerary.
Lodging on Night 1
Storage for your extra travel items while in the field.
All internal transportation necessary for each adventure.
Notes
All clients of Alaska Alpine Adventures, LLC, are required to complete and sign a liability release, client profile form, and acknowledgment of risk prior to trip departure.
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
Click on any visitor guide below to request a free copy.
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