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Katmai, AK

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Kenai Fjords: Glacier Views & Wildlife Beyond the Edge

Kenai Fjords National Park starts where the road ends — most of it is only reachable by boat or kayak, which is exactly what keeps it wild. This excursion takes
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Kayaking Prince William Sound’s Hidden Glacial Fjords

Can you kayak with whales? While kayaking in Prince William Sound, I often found myself lost in the spectacle of wildlife: a myriad of birds soaring through the skies, harbor seals calling to each other, and pods of orcas roaming for food. Prince William Sound, an inlet of the Gulf of Alaska on Alaska’s south coast, east of the Kenai Peninsula and within Chugach National Forest, is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered by thrill seekers. It spans over 15000 square miles and is bounded to the north and east by the glaciated Chugach Mountains. Its never-ending coastline is completely fetching, filled with secret passageways, tidal channels, hidden coves, a slew of islands, and glacier-filled valleys that calve house-sized icebergs into the ocean. As a globetrotter who’s been kayaking different coasts my entire life, I would say few places on the earth boast so many tidewater glaciers in such a small space. We could kayak to 25 or so in one crazy, 21-hour day, something we were unable to do on other coastlines. The blue-tinged glaciers are amazing to look at, but the catch of the ocean is the icebergs adorned with arches and pirouettes, growlers the size of basketballs, and chunks of disintegrating glaciers called bergy bits. Navigating the chorus felt like being in the largest bowl of Rice Krispies you could imagine—old air releasing from the frozen heaps clapping out an endless string of snaps, crackles, and pops. At the same time, humpback whales' calls roll fast through valleys, echoing back in a low rumble. Paddling here means travelling through calm, protected waters surrounded by steep mountains, active glaciers, and miles of untouched coastline. While the scale of the landscape is vast, the experience feels intimate when explored from a kayak at water level. Multi-day sea kayak camping trips in Prince William Sound allow travelers like myself to slow down and fully immerse themselves in Alaska’s cool coastal wilderness. Travelling by a kayak between remote campsites creates a rhythm shaped by tides, weather, and daylight, rather than schedules or roads. The fun is in the spontaneity; our camp was set on a quiet beach with expansive views of the surrounding mountains and water. We spent the evening listening to death metal, sharing snacks, cookies, and eating Lay's potato chips, watching light shift a ross the fjords, and listening to the sounds of wildlife and ice moving in the distance. Wildlife encounters were quite a defining moment of our multiday paddling. Sea otters raft together in kelp beds, harbor seals rest on ice floes, and bald eagles patrol the shorelines with authority. If you like humpback whales, porpoises, and sea lions, this is the spot; they are common during the paddling season. Two interesting humpback whales wouldn’t leave our Kayak alone; they could follow us for miles. The chase was exciting and intimidating at the same time; once they dive into the water, you can never tell when they pop up again. Sometimes you wonder whether they will show up right next to your kayak. It was like the Sound’s traffic, keeping us in check. If you’ve never had a humpback whale blow snot all over you, that’s an experience that leaves a mark on you forever. You carry that feeling with you for years. I liked how the glaciers calve directly into the ocean, creating a constantly shifting environment of ice and sound. It kept reminding me that I am travelling through a living, dynamic landscape full of life and adventure. There was never a dull moment here. We could only sit back and drink in its beautiful features. I found the weather and conditions of Prince William Sound quite unpredictable and moody at times; it could change instantly. Strong winds and high wives were common, just like the thick morning fog. The wind, coming from the Gulf of Alaska, sweeps through the sound from the Chugach Mountains and thus the sea, in as much as it is breathtaking can become chaotic out of the blue, especially in the exposed area. This sound also receives a lot of rain…as for the fog, it melts away as the day goes by. Equipment list You need camping gear and weather-appropriate clothing for a good camping and paddling experience. Since it might rain, you need a waterproof rain jacket, and pants, sandals, rubber boots, wool socks, sun hat, beanie, sunglasses, bandanas, neck gaiter. For camping, you know what you need: the usual sleeping bag, sleeping pad, the toiletries, headlamp, personal cook kit, water bottles. If you are with a guide, they will provide the sea kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, personal floatation devices, drybags, pogies, tents, group first aid kit, radios, map, cooking gear and utensils, et al.
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Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in the Shoulder Season

The Harding Icefield, located in Kenai Fjords National Park, is an 8th wonder of the world for adventurers, considering that it is the largest icefield wholly contained within the United States. It sits atop Exit Glacier and stretches for 700 square miles. The stunning vistas and the thrill of reaching the breathtaking peak make the Harding Icefield a worthy hike for any ambitious traveller looking for the next adventure to conquer. We hiked the Harding Icefield in September last year, with a group of bold globetrotters who like living on the edge, and the experience was incredible. Starting on the Valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests. You pass through heather-filled meadows and ultimately climb well above tree line to reach a captivating view of the amazing Icefield. The top of the trail can simply be described as a window to past ice ages, a scope of ice and snow stretching as far as your vision can see, broken only by an occasional lonely peak. Quite a sight to behold. The trail is quite strenuous; getting to the top is not easy but very rewarding if you push through. With every mile, you gain around 1000 feet of elevation. Give yourself 6 to 8 hours to finish the hike; the National Park Service recommends that range to climb to the top. Even though the view from the top is worth the effort of climbing, you don’t have to hike to the top to start enjoying the beauty of this trail. A short hike up the trail gives impressive views of the valley floor and Exit Glacier’s terminus. It keeps rewarding your efforts with spectacular views as you move up a leg up. This was good because we were relatively slow on this particular day; one of our crew members was recovering from a severe muscle ache from an intense power yoga class a day before. Time, sore legs, and patience are thus among the three things you need to enjoy this hike, apart from other essentials I shall enlist here. The trail is well maintained, with plenty of switchbacks along the path to limit the steep segments, you have to be a bit physically fit to make it up to the top. If you are with a group, it is motivating. The trail weaves through a bushy terrain, gaining elevation steadily while amazing views open up periodically; you’ll wind through the forest, then through a beautiful tundra meadow, and lastly, rocky terrain as you occasionally see wildlife. Since we were moving a bit slowly, we could take in all the views and wildlife we came across. About four miles into our hike, we spotted three figures in the distance, strutting and playing with the snow. It was a family of black bears, but they were far. A bear sighting is very fascinating. Grizzly bears and black bears are one of my favourite wildlife to capture on camera. It is common to come across black bears, brown bears, marmots, rare species of birds, and mountain goats along the way to the top. We could spot a marmot across a hill near us. If completing the trail seems beyond your willpower, there are equally amazing viewpoints just a couple of miles into the hike that offer a great view of Exit Glacier and a partial view of the icefield. However, the cream of the crop is always at the top, so for us, we decided to soldier on to the peak. From the Marmot Meadows, which is about 1.4 miles into the hike, all the way to the top of the cliff is a rewarding experience since there are no trees along the way. The stretch is just clear and completely fetching. You get a glimpse of the icefield along with huge mountains surrounding the area. The trail keeps an unrelenting uphill stature the entire way. When it meandered, it gives us a stunning view of the glacier, as we seat among wildflowers and just stare in awe. At this point, you don’t think the view can get any better, but it does. As the trail comes to an end, it becomes steeper; the grass began to fade out to the sides, revealing more of the granite rock a glacier is known to leave behind. The view ahead changes significantly, and there is a white, smooth snow broken up by a crevasse -with mountain peaks sticking out of its top. When you arrive at the end of the trail, you find plenty of other groups there. Despite the difficulty of the hike, it is a popular and rewarding experience. To get the most out of the Harding Icefield, you can enjoy the hike by day and camp overnight since there is no parking fee and camping is free. You shall find a free tent only campground close to the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Take advantage of it.
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Hiking in Homer: Homestead Trail

Just before the Sterling Highway drops into Homer, a narrow road called Rogers Loop peels off to the left. Follow it a short way and you’ll find the Homestead trailhead, a small gravel lot with room for maybe ten cars. It doesn’t look like much from the road. Don’t let that fool you. Cody and I hiked to the top and back in about two hours on a Monday after lunch. The weather had been sulking all morning, but by the time we laced up, the clouds were starting to break apart. Light fell through the spruce in long, uneven bands, and the forest floor kept shifting between shadow and gold as we climbed. The trail is well kept and clearly marked, with maps posted along the way, and even after a wet week there was hardly any mud to speak of. The lower forest was full of small surprises. Mushrooms pushed up through the moss in every shape and color, and the bushes still held the last of the season’s cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries. A porcupine watched us from the brush for a moment before deciding we weren’t worth the trouble. Down in the lowlands, little birds flitted between branches, never staying still long enough for a good look. We passed several people with their dogs, who were clearly having the best day of anyone on the mountain. At the top there’s a bench, and it’s placed exactly where it should be. On a clear day the view opens wide over the bay and the mountains beyond, and it’s the kind of quiet that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. This trail doesn’t close up shop when summer ends. Cody tells me that once the snow comes, families head up here on snowshoes and cross-country skis, and we’re already planning a winter trip of our own. Summer, fall, or the dead of January, it’s worth the drive. So pack a lunch, fill a thermos with hot tea, bring the kids and the dog, and give yourself an afternoon on the Homestead Trail. Sit on that bench for a while. You’ll still make it down in time for whatever comes next.
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Backcountry Skiing the Chugach Mountains (Forgotten Ridges and Bowls)

Backcountry Skiing in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains is an adventure for legends; it offers endless glaciers, wild terrain, and the kind of untouched solitude that pulls skiers like me from all over the world to experience the magic of the Chugach Mountains. Me and my team were prepared for an adventure like we always do, but what we experienced in the ridges and bowls of Chugach was magical. How does it feel to step off a plane and watch it disappear into the distance, leaving you and your partners alone on a massive glacier? My tour guide was Skip, a highly sensation-seeking guy with a thrill for adventure and conquering new heights. A master of the Chugach’s rewarding and scary landscapes, he guided me and my tour group’s wild adventures perfectly. Our group was a mix you rarely get: a bunch of strong, ambitious skiers who were talking about ten thousand vertical days like it was a walk in the park, another group of mid-tier skiers who believe the sky is the limit while still perfecting their skinning technique. And of course, there is always that single honest person in the group who tells you upfront that they have never skied true big mountain terrain before. My skiing guide took it all in, poor guy. He had a lot of amateur skiers to deal with. There is always something for everyone, whatever the level of skiing. If you ask Alaska for a big day, expect these mountains to deliver. Just get ready. While skiing the Chugach, don’t be afraid to explore the unknown; the Tiekel Valley area is one of the least known, most remote terrain and snowpack region of the central Chugach Mountains. It not only provides incredible adventure for those seeking wilderness backcountry skiing, but it was perfect for snowboarding and ski mountaineering experience. Our rookie skiing team member kept falling after every 10 minutes, and it was always a good laugh among the group. Few adventurers visit the Tiekel region, so it’s a relatively empty and quiet part of the mountain, and according to our tour guide Skip, it remains so even in the spring when people from all over the globe come to ski and ride on the Thompson Pass. We very much loved the Tiekel region; despite being the coldest and driest part of the Chugach Mountains, when it is snowing in the Valdez and Thompson Pass zones, it is not in this part of the Valley. It is thus the best place to visit for visibility and the lowest density powder. Although the terrain of the Tiekel region was the least glaciated and least complex, it offered the most challenging snowpack. My next favourite part of the mountain was the Portage area, a relatively neglected place just like the Tiekel region. Neither of these areas appealed to the “powder snobs” of the teams, but their terrain and bigness more than compensate for adventurers in search of more than “boring powder”. Skiing and climbing around Portage offers a truly magnificent Alaskan big-mountain experience. The Portage area gets a lot of weather; it has “character-building” snow, and access is from near sea level (with the lower elevations remaining relatively brown and snow-free some seasons). The terrain was a bit heavily glaciated and relatively big and complex compared to neighbouring Turnagain pass. These factors make the Portage area empty as compared to the crowded Turnagain. Ice climbing and skiing prominent peaks (Middle Glacier and Explorer) on the south side of the Portage Valley is quite phenomenal. With stable avalanche conditions, non-motorized travel to the Skookum Glacier via Portage Valley is faster than motorized access from the Placer. The Chugach Mountains hold a special place in many backcountry skiers’ and ski alpinists’ hearts. I found the snow climate of the western Chugach unique and highly variable from season to season and from one valley to the next. It typically has a deep maritime (sort of coastal) snowpack to the south near Girdwood (in America’s northernmost temperate rainforest), but the deceptive snow depth and coverage closer to Anchorage (due to being on the windy, downsloped, rain shadow side of the Chugach) give it more interior, continental snowpack characteristics. These snowpack characteristics gave the “Front Range” of Chugach State Park, right above Anchorage, a notorious reputation for being enigmatic and also interesting. Why not choose the Chugach Mountains for your next Skiing adventure? I had a blast with the team and would suggest you put Chugach Mountain on your bucket list for the next skiing adventure; whereas the snow here is often cold and dry, it offers excellent conditions for both backcountry skiing and heli-skiing unlike any other place I have tried before. The diverse terrain ranges from wide-open bowls to steep couloirs, which is fit for for all level or skiers within the team. The unique combination of wilderness and untouched landscapes offered us a sense of adventure we could not find anywhere else.
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Wild Horizons Adventure

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🏔️ CHASE THE WILD. CLIMB THE PEAKS. FOLLOW THE LIGHTS. ✨ 🎣 Cast your line into pristine waters, 🥾 hike through untamed wilderness, 🦌 experience the thrill of hunting, 🧗 conquer breathtaking climbs, and 🌌 end your adventure beneath a sky dancing with the Northern Lights. 🌲 From rugged trails to remote landscapes, every moment brings a new challenge and a new view. Feel the rush of the wild, discover places beyond the ordinary, and create stories worth telling. 🔥 One journey. Five adventures. Endless memories. 🌠 Your wilderness sto
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Northern Lights in Fairbanks: Chasing the Aurora

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Fairbanks sits directly beneath the auroral oval, where the northern lights are most active, and residents see aurora on about 8 of every 10 clear nights. This excursion gets you to a real dark sky with a guide who knows the forecast and when to keep you out. Season runs late August through mid-April.
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Non-Resident Caribou Hunt: Alaska’s Most Accessible Big Game Hunt

Unlike Dall sheep, brown bear, or mountain goat, non-resident U.S. citizens don't need a guide to hunt caribou, just a license and tag. This trip flies you into Western Arctic Herd country for a self-guided hunt during peak fall migration.
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Find breathtaking trails and scenic locations we’ve carefully selected 
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Kayaking Prince William Sound’s Hidden Glacial Fjords

Can you kayak with whales? While kayaking in Prince William Sound, I often found myself lost in the
Read On

Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in the Shoulder Season

The Harding Icefield, located in Kenai Fjords National Park, is an 8th wonder of the world for adventurers,
Read On

Hiking in Homer: Homestead Trail

Just before the Sterling Highway drops into Homer, a narrow road called Rogers Loop peels off to the
Read On

Backcountry Skiing the Chugach Mountains (Forgotten Ridges and Bowls)

Backcountry Skiing in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains is an adventure for legends; it offers endless glaciers, wild terrain, and
Read On
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How to Plan the Alaska Fishing Trip of a Lifetime

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