Alaskan vaellusmatka: jäätiköt ja Denalin kansallispuisto

Lennot Alaskaan, jonne saapuminen vielä samana iltana ja omatoimisesti majoittumaan. Seuraavana aamuna aikainen tapaaminen kansainvälisen ryhmän kanssa.

After a brief welcome meeting with your CEO, travel to Seward this morning for a trip to Churgach State Park. Start out with a rewarding hike on the Crow Pass Trail to Crystal Lake. Keep a look out for wildlife along this 6.2 mile hike teeming with wildflowers. Climb over 2000 ft elevation to the clear waters of Crystal Lake, nestled in the alpine meadows.

Afterwards, the group will transfer to the accommodations in Seward along Resurrection Bay. In the evening, enjoy dinner together around the campfire.

Crow Pass Trail Hike 3h45m-4h 10km
Hike along the Crow Pass Trail to Crystal Lake. This 6.2-mile out-and-back trail near Girdwood, Alaska offers gorgeous scenery and a fun challenge. It takes about four hours to complete and is a great time to absorb Alaska's untamed beauty and wildlife.

Sisältyy: Illallinen

After a camp breakfast, spend the day hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. This spectacular 7.4 mile trail begins on the valley floor and then winds through cottonwood and alder forests, heather filled meadows, and climbs above the tree line for a breathtaking view of the Icefield. It will take 6-8 hours to complete and offers plenty of impressive views along the way to keep you going.

Hike to View Exit Glacier on the Harding Icefield Trail
Exit Glacier – Seward 5h-8h 12km
Head out on an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier along the Harding Icefield trail. The 11.9km (7.4 mi) round trip of the Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike through the Alaska backcountry. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather-filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of the icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak or lonely peak. There are various lookout points along the trail that serve as good turnaround points. Portions of the upper trail are covered by ice and snow part of the year. Easier, shorter hikes to the base of the glacier are also options that also afford beautiful views for those not looking for a strenuous hike.

Black bears are spotted frequently from the Harding Icefield Trail.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen, lounas

Today is all about Seward. After breakfast, how the day will go is up to you. The morning will consist of a challenging hike up Mount Marathon or free time in town to do as you please if you aren’t in the mood for this hike.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to find a lunch spot in Seward and then opt to walk around the waterfront of downtown, visit the Alaska Sealife Center, watch for otters playing in the water, or rent a kayak and explore Resurrection Bay.

Mount Marathon Hike 5km
This particular hike is one of the more unique things to do in Seward. Located just one mile outside of town Mt. Marathon overlooks Seward and Resurrection Bay. Hiking to the top is challenging but well worth it for the views. You gain nearly 3,022 ft in elevation, a climb that puts you nearly in the clouds. It’s a bit steep, but there’s nothing quite like the accomplishment of completing this hike.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen

Travel to Denali National Park with the group in the morning. Along the way make a stop to hike the Talkeetna Lake Trail through lush old-growth forest. Search for wildlife in one of the area's most beautiful settings.

In the late afternoon continue on to Denali National Park where you’ll be camping with shared bathroom facilities.

Talkeetna Lake Trail
A great place to hike and look for wildlife this 3.7 mile loop offers lake views and strolls through deep woods. Search for otters, beavers, bears, foxes, maybe moose, and hundreds of different species of birds. Walk through lush old-growth forest and listen for the loons calling across the water.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen, illallinen

Wake up at camp this morning and eat a quick breakfast before heading out to explore the park and the surrounding areas today. You'll have free time to enjoy optional front country hikes in the park: Mount Healy Overlook Trail which offers dramatic views over the Nenana Valley and surrounding mountains and ridges and gains 1700 feet of elevation in only 2.5 miles and/or The Horseshoe Lake Trail. Highlights of this easy, but rewarding hike include the calm waters of the lake nestled in its forested surroundings and views along the edge of the Nenana River where you could watch whitewater rafters pass by.

You can also choose other optional activities near Denali like rafting, or scenic flights with or without glacier landing before returning to the campsite in the evening.

Mt Healy Overlook Trail Hike 3h-4h 7km
Mt Healy Overlook Trail is an easy to moderate hike after the first third of it. It's about 4km (2.5 mi) one way with an elevation gain of about 518.2m (1,700 ft). Enjoy gorgeous view of the Alaska Range on a clear day.

Denali National Park Visit
Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. The area is well-known for its diversity of wildlife and Denali, the highest peak in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Summer is a time for raising the young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen

Breakfast this morning will be boxed so you can eat it on the go. The group will be taking the shuttle bus into the park to experience more of the scenery and wildlife that Denali has to offer.

After a picnic lunch, the group will hike the Horseshoe Lake trail. Highlights of this easy, but rewarding hike include the calm waters of the lake nestled in its forested surroundings and views along the edge of the Nenana River where you could watch whitewater rafters pass by.

Denali National Park Visit
Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. The area is well-known for its diversity of wildlife and Denali, the highest peak in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Summer is a time for raising the young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.

Horseshoe Lake Hike
This trail is located near the park entrance and is easy to complete, but has surprisingly varied scenery and plenty of chances to spot wildlife. If you walk the whole loop you’ll see the rocky rapids of the Nenana River, a beaver dam along the creek, and a small beach along the lake. The hike starts off with a somewhat steep downhill, where you’ll get a scenic glimpse over both the lake and river below. After that it flattens into the loop portion of the trail.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen, lounas, illallinen

After breakfast at the campsite settle in for your drive back to Anchorage from Denali where the tour ends on arrival.

Sisältyy: Aamiainen

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