Run WILD In Alaska 2024

Day 1:  Anchorage Away!

Arriving in Anchorage by Noon, we will gather the group, head out of the city and into the wild and sprawling wilderness of Alaska! A warm welcome, Happy Hour with a view and a home-cooked meal* await at our first night's accommodation. Settle in, get to know your fellow Adventurers and soak up the scenery- Welcome to ALASKA!!!

(*Dinner Included in trip price)

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Day 2:  Caribou Lodge and Talkeetna Town

Our first day exploring is up in the air- literally! This morning, weather permitting, we’ll be taking to the skies on a fly-in excursion in the Talkeetna Mountain tundra. Our bush plane pilots know the perfect spot to drop us – at a remote lodge on a high alpine lake only accessible by float plane or helicopter. Later in the day we will explore the tiny town of Talkeetna, rich with history and alive with activity. We'll have time to peruse the shops and wander down to the river- a spectacular scene... Dinner in town is DIY- we typically gather at the brewery or the pizzeria.

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Day 3:  Talkeetna to Denali National Park

We press further north today, into Denali National Park. With more than 6 million acres, it’s a vast wilderness of braided rivers, massive peaks and abundant wildlife. It’s also one of Alaska’s most popular attractions. Upon arrival, we’ll park the van and stretch our legs with a mild hike along the Savage River.

After the hike, we’ll check into our accommodation tucked along the hillside just outside the Denali Park entrance. But- the day doesn’t end here! It's the Land of the Midnight Sun, and there will still be HOURS of daylight remaining! We'll take advantage with a Class III Whitewater adventure along the Nenana River. After braving the rapids, we'll gather for dinner in the tiny town of Denali (dinner DIY).

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Day 4:  Mt. Healy Overlook Trail

This is our big hiking day in Denali NP. Starting near the Visitor Center, the trail quickly enters the forest and starts climbing towards the sky. As we get closer to the top of Mt. Healy we are rewarded with sweeping views of the park below, the Nenana River Valley and the mountains all around. From the top, we may even get an above-the-clouds peek at the massive summit of Denali. Thousands of people visit Denali National Park in June and July, but we’ll be high above it all and mostly on our own. Very few visitors take advantage of this magnificent trail. (Hike is approximately 7 miles roundtrip, with about 2,400’ in elevation gain).

After enjoying the views and a trailside lunch, we'll return to town and recount the day's adventure over a cold beverage! (Dinner DIY).

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Day 5:  Return to Anchorage

After grabbing breakfast in Denali, we’ll roll south back to Anchorage. Time permitting, we'll stop at a Birch Syrup Factory along the route. We'll have lunch in Wasilla and arrive in Achorage early afternoon. Even though it’s technically our rest day, you may still want to get out and about. Perhaps the best way to see Anchorage is by bike, and the 11-mile Coastal Trail hits all the highlights. Rental bikes can easily be found right outside the front door of our quaint downtown bed-and-breakfast. Great galleries, shops and interesting museums are within a short walk. We'll gather for a group dinner at a nearby restaurant (DIY).

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Day 6:  Scenic Drive to Seward/Biking and Glacier Kayaking excursions

We hit the road again, and this one- the Seward Scenic Highway- will take us over mountain passes, through forests, and along a majestic coastline. It is considered one of the most beautiful of our nation’s scenic highways. We’ll start right after breakfast- by noon, we will be biking through Seward and kayaking amongst the glaciers...

Glacier kayaking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: plying through calm waters surrounded by glaciers and icebergs. Our kayak adventure starts with a ride in a private water taxi which takes us first on a wildlife scouting tour through Resurrection Bay before dropping us in a secluded cove where our kayaks await. After a brief orientation for first-time paddlers, we’ll spend a couple of hours paddling amid immense floating icebergs, up close to a glacier, and amongst seals, sea otters, and other marine wildlife. We’ll have it all to ourselves and in the quiet you will hear the incredible sounds a glacier makes when it moves and calves, sending big chunks of ice splashing into the water.

While one group paddles, the other will bike- we'll rent bikes from the Seward Bike Shop and set out to explore the seaside town of Seward with a local guide. Interesting history, funny stories and a glimpse into the 'local' scene' in this quaint village will be a great introduction to our time on the Kenai Peninsula.

Groups will flip for the afternoon's activities, and we'll all gather together again for dinner in Seward. (Dinner DIY)

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‍Day 7:  Glacier Trekking

Yet another 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience, our adventure today will be found among the icy crags of Exit Glacier. After a scenic drive into Kenai Fjords National Park, our hike starts on a paved path leading away from the Visitor Center before climbing 2 miles to the very edge of Exit Glacier. There, we'll don crampons and helmets (provided), as our expert guides lead us out onto the ice. We'll spend 2-3 hours exploring the glacier, looking into crevasses, marveling at the deep blue hues and drinking that magical elixir- ice-cold glacier water! After an exciting exploration, we'll return down the trail to the Visitors' Center, where cold beverages await! We'll celebrate our Alaskan Adventure with a hearty group meal back in Seward (Celebration Dinner included in trip).

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‍Day 8:  Mount Marathon Hike and Return to Anchorage

After an exhilarating morning hike up Mt. Marathon to a jaw-dropping viewpoint overlooking Seward, the bay and the mountains, we can indulge ourselves in a leisurely lunch and one last look around town before starting our scenic drive back to Anchorage. With evening departures and overnight flights, we’ll be arriving home early the next day.

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