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About this trip
What to expect:
About the backpacking
This is moderately challenging to strenuous trip for most hikers. Participants can expect to hike 6-9 miles per day with an elevation gain and/or loss of up to 3,000 feet.
You can check out our backpacking route here. Please note this itinerary is subject to change while in the field. The intended route is a ‘route’ not a maintained trail.
Total hiking distance: About 24 miles, expect to hike 6-9 miles per day, off-trail
Total elevation: Gain of about 3,000' and loss of about 3,000'
Max elevation: About 6,000'
What we'll see:
This is an incredible backcountry route that crosses a 6,000 foot pass and connects the Lost and Trail Creek drainages. Most of the trip will take place along gravel bars and alpine tundra. Expect to get wet feet, to navigate canyon obstacles, and to learn some route-finding skills along the way.
About the lodge
Owners Michael and Victoria Rego have been pouring their heart and soul into Wrangell Mountain Wilderness Lodge since 2018. Michael is a lifelong rural Alaskan whose experience and appreciation for this place runs deep, from helping his dad grow summer gardens above the Copper River every year and riding his bike down to hook into the legendary king salmon, he has spent countless hours on the land and enjoys sharing what he has learned with friends and travelers. He is also the engineer behind this operation and ensures reliable, continuous heat, power, water, and connectivity year-round. Victoria achieved her lifelong dream of working as an archaeologist in Alaska nearly 20 years ago and has called the place home ever since. Together, they are raising their children in one of the most beautiful wild places on earth, where the labors of their hands provide sustenance year-round and make this unique opportunity for guests possible.
Located in the remote northern Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, our working family lodge is a warm, friendly home away from home. Enjoy authentic Alaskan hospitality in this transformative national park setting with comfortable, fully-plumbed guest cabins and yurts, along with locally-sourced and wild-harvested cuisine. Our off-grid operation is sustainability in practice - from our solar panels and windmill to renewable heat sources and locally/ wild-harvested ingredients.
Payment details + Cancellation Policy
Payment details:
* To secure your reservation, a $500 deposit is due upon booking. Reservations will not be confirmed until a deposit has been applied towards the trip.
* At 60 days prior to departure, 50% of the remaining balance will be due.
* At 30 days prior to departure, the remaining balance will be due.
Cancellation policy:
Cancellations made
* More than 45 days before the start date, receive a full refund minus a 5% processing fee
* Less than 45 days before the start date, receive no refund.
View our FAQs here.
Scholarships for locals
What’s included
- LodgingWe'll be sleeping glamping-style (4 beds to a yurt) at the historic Wrangell Mountain Wilderness Lodge. Nights 1 and 4 are spent at the lodge.
- Local guidesWilderness First Responder trained Alaskan guides with 5+ years guiding experience in Alaska
- Roundtrip transportationTo/from Palmer, Alaska. Option to add-on Anchorage pick up.
- All mealsThis starts with lunch on Day 1 and ends with lunch on Day 5. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Backpacking meals are generally dehydrated meals.
- TentsParticipants will sleep 2 people per three person tent. Hikers will tent with their significant other/friend as requested. If no tentmate is requested, Revel will assign a same gender .
- Sleeping bag + padEach participant will be issued a 20 degree synthetic bag and a sleeping pad. Hikers are also welcome to bring their own bag.
- Camp gearWater filtration system, cook stove, fuel, etc.
- InReach or SAT phoneOur guides hike with an emergency communication device on all backcountry trips.
- Trekking poles
- Toilet kitsHikers will use Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when using the restroom outdoors. LNT principles will be reviewed during pre-trip communication.
- 2 pre-trip consultationsThese will be offered via zoom with the Revel team. During pre-trip consultations we will review trip details, gear questions, route questions, etc. We’ve found this to be helpful in your preparation.
- Gear checkThis will be an in-person meeting the evening prior to our trip departure. Here we will review all participant gear and answer any final questions.
What’s not included
- FlightsTo/from Anchorage if traveling from out of state or outside the southcentral area.
- Lodging on nights 0 & 5If traveling from out of state or outside of southcentral, Lodging on night 0 and night 5, we recommend you plan to stay in Anchorage these evenings.
- BackpackWe recommend a 45-60L pack for this trip.
- Personal gearClothing, rain gear, toiletries, etc.
- Guide gratuitiesWe recommend 5-10% if you had an excellent experience.
Itinerary
- 10AM departure - we’ll drive through the Matanuska Valley, taking a pit stop at a local trail for a 1-mile leg stretch.
- Following our walk we’ll head to the Long Rifle Lodge for lunch and scenic Matanuska Glacier Views
- After lunch the journey continues towards Wrangell St. Elias where we’ll land off the beaten path at the rustic, Wrangell Mountain Wilderness Lodge.
- We’ll have a team dinner and educational presentation during the evening. Approximate dinner time is 7PM.
- Remaining time will be free for you to explore the property, walk along Nabesna road and relax ahead of our backpacking trip.
Total drive time: About 5-6 hours
Activity level: This day is mostly travel time, but we’ll break up the drive with restroom breaks and a trail walk.
Meals: Lunch and dinner included
Lodging: Hostel style sleeping, 4 single beds in a yurt. Option to upgrade to a private, dry cabin for an additional fee.
Water access: Each yurt has access to a restroom and running water. Guests will have access to showers on the property.