Details - The weather conditions can dictate our flight schedule to and from these mountainous camping destinations. Delays are not common but can definitely happen.
Although not required for this trip, we do recommend that each camper bring their own backpack already filled with clothing and personal items. The guide will have camp gear and food ready for the trip before you arrive.
This trip can include 2 or 3 nights camping. Prepare to be above 4,000 ft elevation in the Talkeetna Mountains where summer is just an option for mother nature, so we will help you decide what warm items to pack before you ever leave home. Base camp is above bear country and it is not uncommon to have caribou, fox or marmot walk right by camp. We always keep an eye on the surrounding hilltops for dall sheep and mountain goat.
Day 1: You get flown to the lodge at 10:00 AM and meet up with our guide. Several totes containing camp gear and food will be ready to load onto the float-plane and flown to base camp. Up to 3 flights may be needed to fly out all gear and campers depending on the size of the group. The guide, gear and one camper fly to base camp on the first flight and start to set up camp while the pilot flies back to the lodge to pick up the second load of campers. The afternoon is spent setting up camp, exploring around the lake, hiking, etc. Being more than 2,000 feet above treeline means no camp fires so we will haul in enough fuel for all cooking needs.
Day 2: The entire second day is all about hiking, looking for wildlife, picking berries, and enjoying nature. We leave base camp sometime after breakfast with a lunch packed so we can eat while exploring and not have to return to camp until afternoon. The guide spends the afternoon boiling water for coffee & tea so everyone can relax and enjoy camp before dinner.
Day 3: If you opt for 3 nights camping then day 3 gives you more time in the back country at this beautiful alpine lake. If you opt for 2 nights camping then day 3 is when we prepare to tear down camp and get picked up in the plane and flown back to the lodge.
Day 4 or 5: While spending the two nights at the lodge you are free to enjoy more guided day-hiking, spending time out on the lake, or just relaxing at the lodge.
Day 5 or 6: Enjoy a hearty lodge breakfast before your return flight back to Talkeetna scheduled for 10:30 AM.