Alaskan Alpine Treks, Guided Backpacking and hiking Trips in Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska
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Mount Sanford and reflection, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska

Exploratory backpacking trip: Sanford to Dadina River. The awesome Sanford Plateau in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is another relatively new trip. A small landing strip on the Upper Sanford River affords access to the Sanford Plateau, a high alpine ridge that sits between Mt Sanford (16 237'), Mt Wrangell (14 163') and Mt Drum (12 010'). Weather permitting, of course, we should also have great views of Mt Blackburn; at 16 390' high, the highest peak in the Wrangell Mountains, and the 5th highest mountain in the US. Hopefully, we'll get some sunny days and really get great views of this impressive mountain range.

After ascending on the Plateau, we'll have a number of days to explore the alpine country up there. This trip will combine a basecamp with a  backpacking adventure. We may spend a day or 2 in the lower areas, probably at the Dadina River area, exploring the forested regions there. Wildlife possibilities include bison, moose  and both grizzlies and black bears in the lower area, with caribou and Dall sheep up in the high country. There are also some amazing rock formations over on the Dadina side of the plateau from the ancient volcanic activity up there. These are old volcano mountains, some of the largest shield volcanoes anywhere.

We have a couple of stream crossings and a little bushwhacking on this trip, so it would be a good option for some adventure seekers with some experience backpacking, particularly as this is an exploratory hike. Not more than maybe 10 or so people hike this trip each year, so solitude reigns supreme up here. This trip will be at a discounted price because I haven't hiked it before. A great opportunity for someone with some experience and a sense of adventure to get out and do a rarely hiked backcountry trek through some remote and rugged country. This trip, unline most Wrangell St. Elias backpacking trips we do, will leave out of Gulkana, not McCarthy. This means we have a lot shorter drive and less travel time to and from the "trailhead" from Anchorage = more backcountry time!

cow moose in a pond, Wrangell St. Elias national park, Alaska

 

Trip dates: July 29 - Aug 5, 2008.
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous.
Trip Highlights: Exploratory Trip: Wildlife, volcanic activity and rock formations, solitude, and BIG mountains.

 

"If you really want to experience the beauty of wildlife and nature of Alaska, this is the only way to go. The scenery is something you cannot see other than a backcountry trip like this. Carl has the knowledge and experience to guide you to the best places. " -- Doug Jackson, Lawrenceville, GA.

No Slide Show available 'til next year! Guided backpacking trip prices

Trip Selections:

Steamboat Hills, Wrangell St. Elias National Park backpacking trip Alaska. Backpacking and hiking trip, Wolverine Ridge, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Guided Rafting and backpacking in ANWR, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Canning River, Alaska Hiking and backpacking trip, Bremner Mines area, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
HIking and backpacking trip, Skolai Pass, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Backpacking trip in Denali National Park, Alaska. Tebay to Bremner trekking trip, Wrangell St. Elias national Park, Alaska Hiking and camping, MacColl Ridge, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska.
Backpacking Resurrection Pass Trail, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Backpacking tours, Iceberg Lake, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska Mount Sanford backpacking trip Guided backpacking trips, Chitina River and Huberts Landing area, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska/

All information and images on these pages are copyrighted, and remain the property of Alaskan Alpine Treks. Any unauthorized usage is strictly prohibited. © Carl Donohue, 2003.
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