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Author of
Hiking Alaska's
Wrangell St
Elias Natlonal Park
Falcon Guides
Since 2003, Guided Hiking &Backpacking Adventures in Alaska's Best Wilderness Areas
McCarthy Alaska
907-795-5252

Fan Glacier Basecamp

Airstrip at Fan Glacier in Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Fan Glacier

Trip Details
Trip Type:
Base-camp
Duration:
4 days trekking
Difficulty
Easier
Trek Price:
$2355.00/person
2024 Trek Dates
Group Trips:
June 28 - July 1

Don't see any dates that work for you? Give us a call and we'll see what we can do!

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(907) 795-5252

Private Trips:
Contact us for private/custom dates
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Great for Family Trips in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Ideal for folks with no backpacking experience as we usually set a base camp and do some day hikes on the Fan Glacier and alpine ridges with stunning views. This area of Alaska gets little snow making it a great early season hiking destination.

Day Hiking on Ridges and Glaciers

A new trip added to our line-and it's a real winner offering both glacier hiking and ridge walks. This is an ideal trip if you are looking for a shorter trip but lots of drama and incredible views.

We do this four day trek as a base camp style trip. Our pilot drops us off on a sand bar airstrip that is less than a mile from where we will set up our camp at one of the pot-hole lakes that dot the area.

The first day we spend exploring the local neighborhood near the camp including a hike down to the river. The next few days include some terrific day hiking as we leave our camp set up and take off with light day loads.

One of our destinations is, not surprisingly, the Fan Glacier. We'll be on the ice in no time and hiking up towards increasingly more amazing views of the glacier and surrounding peaks and valley. We wear crampons for the hike but not to worry, this is a very hiker friendly glacier.

Another hike that we will want to make is up the side of the ridge that rises just behind our camp. Lunch will find us at the highpoint of the hike at one of the most beautiful lunch spots in the park. Afterwards we continue along the side of the ridge which includes some very pleasant hiking and more great scenery. Then we complete the loop by dropping down the other end of the ridge and back to camp.

If you want a base camp style trek that doesn't skimp on dramatic terrain then this is the ideal choice. It's also a great hiking trip for early summer as the snow melts out fast in this area.

quotes
Greg blew away my expectations.
Greg blew away my expectations. There was not a moment that I was ever uncomfortable with his leadership. You haven't walked the world until you've trekked the wilderness of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains.
Jason M. - Eielson AFB, AK
  • Photos
  • Itinerary
  • Logistics
  • What to Bring
Airstrip at fan glacier
Backpacker at Fan Glacier Lake, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Bear print in sand at Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Ridge hiking at Fan Glacier Lake, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Camp at Fan Glacier Lake, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Hiker at Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Hiking at Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Fan Glacier from the air, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Lake and mountains at Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Ridge views at  Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Plane on Fan Glacier airstrip, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Ridge hiking at  Fan Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Pre TripArrive in Anchorage 2 days prior to the start date of your trek.
Travel Anchorage to McCarthy (not included) Chose one of the shuttle services or You may elect to drive in a rental car if you prefer. It's an amazing drive and one of the most scenic in Alaska. Arrive in McCarthy around 5-6:00 pm in time for the meeting with your guide. The guide will review your gear and distribute food and group gear as well as go over logistics for the following departure day into the backcountry.
Day 1We get an early start and begin our trek with a bush flight from McCarthy to the Fan Glacier - our landing strip for the start of this adventure. This is a basecamp trip so we don't have far to go till we set up our basecamp on the other side of some low hills. Once we get all squared away in camp we take off to explore the area surrounding our camp including the nearby river.
Day 2Today we leave our camp set up and enjoy a day of hiking and exploring with light day loads. There is a wonderful ridge just to the south behind the area of our base camp. We take off up one end of the ridge and stretch out our legs on the way up.
Day 3On the third day we usually head out onto the Fan glacier for a day of exploring on the ice. The options are wide open on this day. We can make it as long or short a day as we like. It's all up to the group.
Day 4Hard to believe that it’s already our last day and time to head back. We carry our gear back to the landing strip but we're not done yet. We still have time for a little exploring around the area before the pilot arrives and wisks us back to McCarthy.
Post TripThe van departs at 10:00 am for the return trip to Anchorage arriving around 6:00 pm. Overnight in Anchorage

How Do We Get to McCarthy Alaska?

There are several options.

Car Rentals
If you have more than 2 in your group then renting a car out of Anchorage can be a good option. 

Shuttle Van
Two shuttle services provides van transportation between Anchorage to McCarthy, Alaska. The shuttle departs Anchorage at 8:00 am arriving around 5-5:30 pm in McCarthy. This is the best, most economical way for one or two people to get to McCarthy and back. 

If you are driving or taking the shuttle it takes about 8 hours to drive Anchorage to McCarthy.

Once you have a hotel reservation in Anchorage you will need to let them, as well as Trek Alaska, know where you will be staying. Also give them your cell phone number if you will have one with you. Please note that in McCarthy only Verizon has coverage.

 

Overflow Transit
Operates on a fixed schedule with two trips in each direction per week
https://overflowtransit.com/
​​​​​Email: overflowtransit@gmail.com
​​Phone: (907)-707-9921 

Copper Spike Transport 
Operates “on demand” rather than set schedule
​​​​​​​https://www.copperspiketransport.com/
 jamie@copperspiketransport.com
Phone: 907.406.9599

Ride n Fly
The last 60 miles from Chitina to McCarthy is on the McCarthy road most of which is gravel. It's usualy in good shape and any vehicle can easily drive it. But some folks prefer not to.

An alternative is to drive to Chitina and from there take the Wrangell Mountain Air shuttle that flies three times daily to McCarthy.

Wrangell Mt. Air - http://www.wrangellmountainair.com/getting_to_alaska.htm

Wrangell Mt. Air can also arrange a charter flight just for your group. Contact them about current rates.

Mail Plane
There is a mail plane that flies between Anchorage and McCarthy twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays. This is a good way for one or two people to get to and from McCarthy. Beautiful flight and no long drive in the car. With only two flights weekly you would likely need to arrive a few days early in McCarthy.

https://www.coppervalleyairservice.com/flights/flights-anchorage-gulkana-mccarthy

 

Where Do We Meet in McCarthy?
The shuttle vans usually arrives in McCarthy by 5:30 pm. If you are flying you will arrive earlier. The meeting begins when the whole group has arrived which is usually around 5:30-6:00 pm/  At this time you will meet your guide and the rest of the group in McCarthy for an orientation meeting the evening before the trip begins. We will meet up in front of Ma Johnsons Hotel in the middle of McCarthy. McCarthy is a very small town so don't worry, you'll have no problems finding your way around. We make every effort to be on hand with everyone upon arrival in McCarthy. You will be  contacted approximately 2-3 weeks before your trip and we will confirm the exact location of the orientation meeting. The morning of departure it's a short walk down the street to Wrangell Mt. Air where we catch a shuttle van to the airstrip for our departure into the backcountry.

If you're on the Donoho trip the van to Kennicott departs right by Ma Johnsons. All those details will be covered at the meeting with the guide on arrival.


Drop Off/PickupTimes
We like to get an early start on the first day as it might take two flights to get everyone into the backcountry. Departure times of 8:30 a.m. are common. Our pickups on the last day are usualy around mid-day to allow us time to get back to McCarthy and get cleaned up and relax before dinner.


Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our treks are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are certified wilderness first responders, each with years of wilderness experience. The guide carries  a satellite phone on all trips. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 907.795.5252 or trips@trekalaska.com for more information.


Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.

Forms/Policies
Here is a link to forms that you will need to complete and return to us before the trip. These include medical history, dietary restrictions, conditioning information as well as policies such as cancellations and refunds.


Group Size
We prefer to run small groups and our clients like it that way too. The standard group size on backpacking trips is 5 guests and 1 guide. Larger groups are possible for private trips. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 907.795.5252 and we'll answer all your questions.

Weather in the Wrangells
Alaska is pretty far north and like any mountain environment we are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures in Wrangell-St. Elias. July is especialy variable and we have had temps hit the low 80s some summers. Mid August is when things start to cool down a bit but still great hiking weather.

What's Included

  • Group gear: tents, dining tarp, stove, fuel
  • All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
  • A professional, knowledgeable, hiking guide
  • Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food storage containers
  • Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
  • You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you and your family to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Trek Alaska adventure after your first one!

What's Not Included

  • Transport to/from Alaska
  • Lodging in Anchorage and McCarthy
  • Transport to/from McCarthy
  • Clothes, rain gear, and footwear
  • Backpack
  • Treking poles
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
  • Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
  • Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
  • See the Gear List for more information.

 

Meals: What To Expect

All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.

For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.

We try to accomodate restricted diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. It depends on the severity of the restrictions. Vegetarian diets are easy to accomodate but gluten-free for example is more challenging. Contact us to discuss your situation and needs.