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10-days

Backpacking the Revelation Mountains – Lake Clark National Park

$5,595 /person

Trip Details

$5,595 /person - 10-days
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Alaska Alpine Adventures has been exploring the Revs since 2002, and we still believe that this small and obscure portion of Alaska offers some of the most stunning and remote backpacking and hiking anywhere on earth. Our backpacking trip through the Revelations will take us through the high tundra of the range’s western escarpment, past beautiful alpine lakes & tumbling creeks, through a carpet of alpine tundra, across braided rivers, and down onto the Big River for a finish at a small airstrip.

Most of Alaska is extraordinarily remote and inaccessible, but there are still places in Alaska that remain virtually undiscovered. The Revelation Mountains are one such place; a mountain range so rugged and remote that it has been essentially overlooked. That’s what makes it so compelling for us! The Revelation Mountains are home to some of the world’s tallest granite walls, incredible alpine tundra, big glaciers, dramatic high peaks, and total solitude. Himalayan in scale, the Revs have seen only a few mountaineering parties, and fewer successful ascents. This area of the Alaska Range is the quintessential alpine playground for those who thrive on visiting truly remote and beautiful mountain ranges.

Itinerary

Day 1
Lunch & dinner included, Distance: 3.0 miles, Elevation Gain: 1700′

This morning you’ll start the day with an orientation and gear check our office/warehouse prior to the flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth. From Merrill Field, located in the heart of Anchorage, you’ll fly west through the glacially carved splendor of Lake Clark Pass, one of the most spectacular bush flights in Alaska, arriving 1.5 hours later in the small community of Port Alsworth.  After lunch, we’ll load into float planes and lift off into the afternoon skies bound for a small alpine lake nestled on the west side of the Revelation Mountains, about 75 minutes north of Lake Clark. As our pilot bids us a fond farewell and maneuvers the float plane over the ridge to the south, we’ll hoist packs and begin backpacking to our first camp in the tundra-carpeted alpine country above of the lake.

Day 2-8
All meals included, Distance: 5-10 miles/day, Elevation Gain: 1500′-4000′ /day

We’ll spend the next seven days moving from our first camp beneath a stunning peak, aptly named The Angel, to our pickup location on the Big River. We’ll likely have at least two layover days during which we’ll explore glaciers, valleys, and peaks with packs stripped down to the bare essentials. These layover days are also used as weather days, if necessary. Backpacking through the Revelations will throw a sampling of the Alaska backpacking challenges at you, including a few river crossings, some alder bashing, abundant talus and scree, some steep ascents, and a two high mountain passes. By the evening of night 7 or 8, we’ll be camped at the toe of the Revelation Glacier, enjoying views of one of Alaska’s most magnificent glacier valleys. The vertical relief above this camp on the river will exceed 7000′ – from the river itself to the lofty summit of Mt. Hesperus (9828′).

Day 9
All meals included, Distance: 5 miles, Elevation Gain: 100′

By the afternoon of day nine, we’ll arrive at a small airstrip on the Big River. At this point we will have trekked over 40 miles of amazing wilderness. Too soon for most, our pilot’s small bush plane with tundra tires will arrive to return us to the Farm Lodge at Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth. After checking into your lakeside cabin, enjoying showers and a celebratory dinner in the lodge dining room, we’ll tally up of favorite views and meals, and revel in the post-trip euphoria common to all who’ve completed a big backpacking expedition in Alaska.

Day 10
Breakfast & lunch included, Distance: 5 miles, Elevation Gain: 800′

After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll pay a morning visit to the Lake Clark National Park visitor’s center where you’ll have a chance to purchase maps and postcards, enjoy interpretive displays and videos, and share your experience with park staff. We’ll spend the rest of the day hiking to Tanalian Falls, along the park’s only developed trail, before boarding a late afternoon charter flight to Anchorage. If you are departing Alaska on this day, please schedule all homebound flights for after 9 pm.

What's Included

  • All group gear: Expedition quality tents, group tarp, all cooking equipment & eating utensils
  • Toilet supplies including TP, trowel, and hand sanitizer
  • Safety Equipment: Satellite phone, maps, GPS, and medical kit
  • Water treatment options
  • Trekking poles
  • Round trip bush flight transportation from Anchorage to Port Alsworth
  • All internal bush flights necessary for the itinerary
  • Lodging on the final night at the Lake Clark Resort or Wilder House B&B on Lake Clark
  • Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 client to guide ratio
  • All meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the final day of the itinerary
  • Storage for your extra travel items while in the field

Alaska Factor: The Real Deal

While Alaska Alpine Adventures endeavors to follow our itineraries as written, odds are in fact slim that you actually will during the camping portion of this trip. The expeditionary factors at play quite often compel our guides to deviate from the written itinerary. Guide considerations could include weather conditions, group preference, individual ability, specific safety considerations, or unforeseeable circumstances; collectively what many have called “The Alaska Factor.” Flight times into and out of the wilderness may also vary based on any number of similar factors. Therefore we strongly suggest that you approach any adventure in Alaska with an open mind.

Available Dates

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Trip Stats

Price:
$5,595 /person
Duration:
10-days
Length:
50+ miles
Intensity:
Level 3
Begins In:
Anchorage
Ends In:
Anchorage
Airport:
Anchorage International (ANC)
Wildlife:
Bears, Dall Sheep, Wolves, Caribou, Moose
Great For:
Explorers, Couples, Individuals
Activity:
Backpacking

Get Ready

What to Pack:

Helpful gear suggestions and recommendations for this trip.

Gear List
Itinerary:

Download a detailed itinerary of this trip.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1
Lunch & dinner included, Distance: 3.0 miles, Elevation Gain: 1700′

This morning you’ll start the day with an orientation and gear check our office/warehouse prior to the flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth. From Merrill Field, located in the heart of Anchorage, you’ll fly west through the glacially carved splendor of Lake Clark Pass, one of the most spectacular bush flights in Alaska, arriving 1.5 hours later in the small community of Port Alsworth.  After lunch, we’ll load into float planes and lift off into the afternoon skies bound for a small alpine lake nestled on the west side of the Revelation Mountains, about 75 minutes north of Lake Clark. As our pilot bids us a fond farewell and maneuvers the float plane over the ridge to the south, we’ll hoist packs and begin backpacking to our first camp in the tundra-carpeted alpine country above of the lake.

Day 2-8
All meals included, Distance: 5-10 miles/day, Elevation Gain: 1500′-4000′ /day

We’ll spend the next seven days moving from our first camp beneath a stunning peak, aptly named The Angel, to our pickup location on the Big River. We’ll likely have at least two layover days during which we’ll explore glaciers, valleys, and peaks with packs stripped down to the bare essentials. These layover days are also used as weather days, if necessary. Backpacking through the Revelations will throw a sampling of the Alaska backpacking challenges at you, including a few river crossings, some alder bashing, abundant talus and scree, some steep ascents, and a two high mountain passes. By the evening of night 7 or 8, we’ll be camped at the toe of the Revelation Glacier, enjoying views of one of Alaska’s most magnificent glacier valleys. The vertical relief above this camp on the river will exceed 7000′ – from the river itself to the lofty summit of Mt. Hesperus (9828′).

Day 9
All meals included, Distance: 5 miles, Elevation Gain: 100′

By the afternoon of day nine, we’ll arrive at a small airstrip on the Big River. At this point we will have trekked over 40 miles of amazing wilderness. Too soon for most, our pilot’s small bush plane with tundra tires will arrive to return us to the Farm Lodge at Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth. After checking into your lakeside cabin, enjoying showers and a celebratory dinner in the lodge dining room, we’ll tally up of favorite views and meals, and revel in the post-trip euphoria common to all who’ve completed a big backpacking expedition in Alaska.

Day 10
Breakfast & lunch included, Distance: 5 miles, Elevation Gain: 800′

After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll pay a morning visit to the Lake Clark National Park visitor’s center where you’ll have a chance to purchase maps and postcards, enjoy interpretive displays and videos, and share your experience with park staff. We’ll spend the rest of the day hiking to Tanalian Falls, along the park’s only developed trail, before boarding a late afternoon charter flight to Anchorage. If you are departing Alaska on this day, please schedule all homebound flights for after 9 pm.

What's Included

  • All group gear: Expedition quality tents, group tarp, all cooking equipment & eating utensils
  • Toilet supplies including TP, trowel, and hand sanitizer
  • Safety Equipment: Satellite phone, maps, GPS, and medical kit
  • Water treatment options
  • Trekking poles
  • Round trip bush flight transportation from Anchorage to Port Alsworth
  • All internal bush flights necessary for the itinerary
  • Lodging on the final night at the Lake Clark Resort or Wilder House B&B on Lake Clark
  • Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 client to guide ratio
  • All meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the final day of the itinerary
  • Storage for your extra travel items while in the field

Alaska Factor: The Real Deal

While Alaska Alpine Adventures endeavors to follow our itineraries as written, odds are in fact slim that you actually will during the camping portion of this trip. The expeditionary factors at play quite often compel our guides to deviate from the written itinerary. Guide considerations could include weather conditions, group preference, individual ability, specific safety considerations, or unforeseeable circumstances; collectively what many have called “The Alaska Factor.” Flight times into and out of the wilderness may also vary based on any number of similar factors. Therefore we strongly suggest that you approach any adventure in Alaska with an open mind.

Location

Trip Reviews

As a seasoned backpacker worldwide, I would rate this trip as a once in a lifetime experience! I’ve never had better food in the field. Great weather, spectacular scenery. Overall – outstanding!

Fantastic!! Couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Enjoyed every minute of it.

Looking for more reviews? View all trip testimonials.

Trip Photos

Trip FAQs

Have questions about this trip? We’ve got answers.

Why are so many of your trips in Lake Clark National Park?

Simply because we believe Lake Clark National Park to be the most spectacular and diverse park in Alaska. At over 4-million acres, this wilderness park has something for everyone – miles of coastline, active volcanoes, spectacular lakes, glaciers and icefields, wild and scenic rivers, stunning mountains, and very few visitors. If you seek solitude and the perfect Alaskan landscape, Lake Clark will not disappoint.

Where is Lake Clark?

Lake Clark and its surrounding 4 million-acre national park is located approximately 150 miles West-Southwest of Anchorage.

How do you get to Lake Clark?

Access to Lake Clark National Park is solely by small aircraft or, in some instances, by boat.

Is transportation to Lake Clark included in the price of the trip?

Absolutely, our trips are all inclusive from Anchorage. The trip includes roundtrip flights from Anchorage to Port Alsworth and floatplane flights into and out of the wilderness.

Where will you meet us?

We all meet at our shop in Anchorage on the morning of Day 1 for an orientation and gear check. We’ll then transfer by van to Merrill field for the flight to Port Alsworth - the gateway community to Lake Clark National Park.

Who will I be flying with and what time will we be departing on day one?

You’ll be flying with Lake Clark Resort, located at Merrill Field. We usually schedule our flight from Anchorage for 11am after an orientation and gear check.

Where is Merrill Field?

Merrill Field is located just east of downtown Anchorage. “Bush” flying is an adventure in and of itself and variable weather conditions may cause delays. We will try to keep you informed of any changes or delays as they occur.

Is Lake Clark National Park & the adjacent Revelation Mountains a good place for viewing wildlife?

Absolutely. Lake Clark has been called ‘Alaska’s epitome’ and ‘little Denali’, though at 4 million-acres and roughly the size of Switzerland, the term ‘little’ doesn’t really apply! In addition all 5 species of Pacific salmon, the park is home to grizzly and black bears, Dall sheep, caribou, moose, wolves, and tremendous seasonal populations of migratory birds.

I'm traveling solo. Is there a single supplement charge?

Yes, there is an additional fee of $275 if you request OR end up in your own room at the lodge on the final night.

For additional information, please reach out to us.

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