Summer and Fall Adventures

Local guided hikes

Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness right from our doorstep. Our local trails offer guided excursions to the striking quartz-streaked bluff that majestically overlooks the eastern ridgeline, far above our lodge. A steady ascend of 1.5 to 2 hours will bring you to the timberline, opening up to picturesque park-like ridgelines just above the treeline.

For the more audacious amongst us, there's the option to venture beyond the bluff, climbing to a distant knife-edge that connects southward with equally dramatic ridges leading back to the nearby Gunnysack Mountain. This exhilarating journey loops back down our trails and ends at the welcoming comfort of the lodge, providing an afternoon filled with invigorating exercise and soul-stirring vistas.

We also offer a selection of remarkable hikes within a short drive south of the lodge. These trails can guide you through the colorful drainages of Rainbow Basin, offer a detour to our mountain chalet, and if you're willing to put in a little effort, provide close-up glimpses of Devil’s Thumb and Mount Silvertip. Experience the thrill of crossing a rushing river via a cable bridge, leading you directly to the face of a glacier. For those who prefer to explore independently, we can provide maps to aid your adventure.

Views: Ridges and mountain tops are very accessible from the lodge. Views are breathtaking. Better yet, let us fly you to the areas with unamed peaks!

Fishing: Discover an abundance of fishing spots teeming with prized fish species like Rainbow trout, lake trout, Arctic char, northern pike, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. And the cherry on top? Many of these spots are also renowned for their bountiful blueberries.

We can also fly you south to fish for the famous Copper River Salmon! Come fish for the best fish in the world!

Our lodge offers an exceptional vantage point for wildlife spotting, both from its expansive decks and cozy interiors. Regular sightings of caribou grace the landscape near Donnelly Dome, located just north of our retreat. The river beds to the west serve as a gathering spot for wild bison in the spring and fall, offering guests an exciting opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures.

We provide spotting scopes to enhance your viewing experience, aiding in the observation of sheep that commonly inhabit the cliffs to the east of our lodge. This region is teeming with moose, and we are often graced with the presence of these colossal animals on a daily basis!

The diverse birdlife here is truly astounding. From owls to raptors and ptarmigan, the avian population is rich and plentiful. Whether they're the tiniest songbirds or the largest birds of prey, the skies resonate with their harmonious symphony, bringing the Alaskan wilderness alive with their melodious calls.

Mt. Hayes: Experience a breathtaking aerial journey near Mt. Hayes, one of the world's most beautiful mountains. Follow the historic path taken by Bradford Washburn and his team in 1941 up the northwest ridge, a challenging route that wasn't attempted again until 1984. The surrounding landscape is accented with delicate alpine flowers growing on glacial moraines, showcasing Alaska's raw, untouched beauty and reflecting the spirit of human exploration.

Alaska Range: Discover the hidden wonders of the Alaska Range with us, where tranquility and unexplored territories await. Our convenient small landing strip offers seamless access for small planes, allowing you to embark on sightseeing adventures. Don't miss the opportunity for glacier landings as well. Join us for an unforgettable experience!

Trident Glacier: The Trident Glacier region in Southeast Fairbanks, often overlooked, offers extraordinary and easily accessible adventures. The area, with its breathtaking glacier spanning 18 miles at an elevation of around 5,066 feet, provides unforgettable and transformative experiences. The Trident Glacier, crowned by Augustin Peak, is more than a geographical feature; it serves as a beacon, providing a sense of place and wonder. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in Alaska's raw, untouched wilderness.

The Black Rapids Glacier: The Black Rapids Glacier, often referred to as the "Galloping Glacier," is renowned for its historical surge in 1936. This extraordinary event saw the glacier advancing over an impressive 225 feet per day. Despite currently being in a quiescent phase, the glacier continues to captivate visitors with its grandeur and the stories of its past.

Rainbow Basin: The Rainbow Basin area offers breathtaking views of the Deltas and the mountainous playground to the north, with stunning peaks named like fairytale characters. This captivating landscape extends as far as the eye can see, creating an unforgettable panorama. Leaving this view is likened to ending a captivating bedtime story; it marks the end of a magical journey.