« Hiking Overview

Fly-in Hikes

A big adventure in a single day.

Trip Description

The plane buzzes away and you are left surrounded by 13.2 million acres of wilderness.

The feeling of immersion is usually reserved for long expeditions, but here in the Wrangells bush plane access makes it possible on a single day adventure. With a variety of locations and objectives, these hikes can be as relaxing or as exerting as you want them to be. A Fly-in Day Hike is a full value Alaska backcountry experience that gets you back in time for dinner.

Each trip includes a private guide and round trip scenic flight.

Duration: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: easy – hard Fly-in Hikes

We have listed our Fly-In Day Hike locations below with a brief description. If you want more information and photos, each of these is also a Backcountry location, click the name to visit the corresponding page.

The Fosse
Fly over Alaska valley glaciers. Hike through wildflower-filled alpine to an iceberg filled lake and views of 16,390 ft Mt. Blackburn.

Skolai
Fly through the heart of the Wrangells to an epic alpine pass at 6,000ft. Hike to waterfalls, hanging glaciers, lakes and big views.

Fan
A long flight gets you away from the crowds. Excellent hiking to views of hanging glaciers, huge vistas and unique kettle pools.

Iceberg
Fly through a large portion of the park. Hike to emerald alpine lakes in a valley surrounded by jagged peaks in an impressive landscape.

Hidden Gems
These are special flights to places seldom seen. Trips and locations custom tailored to personalized itinerary and logistics.

Nizina Lake
Fly past the Mile-High Cliffs to our packraft version of a fly-in day hike. Combine paddling the iceberg lake with great day hiking. If packrafting doesn’t interest you there is plenty to explore on foot!

Our booking process for Fly-In Day Trips starts with a Booking Form asking for your contact info, date(s) available and locations you’re interested in. Since we coordinate with the local air service for availability any flexibility in dates and locations is helpful and advanced booking is highly recommended.
If you are undecided, or open to location, we recommend booking the trip without finalizing a destination. This allows us to reserve a flight immediately. If you do so the deposit will reflect the lowest airfare range. We will then reach out to discuss the location. Once it’s finalized we will adjust your reservation with the updated flight cost.

Highlights:

  • Two scenic bush plane flights through the Wrangells
  • Variety of destinations throughout the park
  • Explore the backcountry with light packs
  • Access remote alpine loop hikes, ridge scrambles and lake paddles
  • Sleep in a bed at night!
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and light bushwacking.

Who:
Anyone looking for two flights and a backcountry adventure in one day.

When:
June-Sept
Flight times depend on air service availability.

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip planning.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small guide to client ratios.
  • Customizable itinerary.
  • Airfare into the backcountry.
  • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
  • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
  • Emergency camping gear (in the rare instance the plane cannot pick us up, do to weather conditions, we are prepared to spend the night in the backcountry)
  • Technical gear and equipment.
  • Day packs (if needed)
  • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Fly-in Hike Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (Price Includes Flight Cost)

Fosse
1:1 / $1,385 per person
2:1 / $960 per person
3:1 / $800 per person
4:1 / $805 per person
5:1 / $690 per person
6+:2 / $740 per person

Nizina
1:1 / $1,895 per person
2:1 / $1,365 per person
3:1 / $1,175 per person
4:1 / $1,210 per person
5:1 / $1,040 per person
6+:2 / $1,115 per person

Skolai
1:1 / $1,865 per person
2:1 / $1,320 per person
3:1 / $1,120 per person
4:1 / $1,165 per person
5:1 / $980 per person
6+:2 / $1,060 per person

Fan
1:1 / $1,995 per person
2:1 / $1,415 per person
3:1 / $1,210 per person
4:1 / $1,260 per person
5:1 / $1,060 per person
6+:2 / $1,150 per person

Iceberg
1:1 / $1,995 per person
2:1 / $1,425 per person
3:1 / $1,215 per person
4:1 / $1,270 per person
5:1 / $1,065 per person
6+:2 / $1,155 per person

Hidden Gems
1:1 / $3,655 per person
2:1 / $2,660 per person
3:1 / $2,315 per person
4:1 / $2,130 per person
5:1 / $2,055 per person
6+:2 / $2,255 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Photo Galleries

Click to enlarge

The Fosse
The Skolai
Fan
Iceberg
Hidden Gems
Nizina Lake
Fly-in Hike Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (Price Includes Flight Cost)

Fosse
1:1 / $1,385 per person
2:1 / $960 per person
3:1 / $800 per person
4:1 / $805 per person
5:1 / $690 per person
6+:2 / $740 per person

Nizina
1:1 / $1,895 per person
2:1 / $1,365 per person
3:1 / $1,175 per person
4:1 / $1,210 per person
5:1 / $1,040 per person
6+:2 / $1,115 per person

Skolai
1:1 / $1,865 per person
2:1 / $1,320 per person
3:1 / $1,120 per person
4:1 / $1,165 per person
5:1 / $980 per person
6+:2 / $1,060 per person

Fan
1:1 / $1,995 per person
2:1 / $1,415 per person
3:1 / $1,210 per person
4:1 / $1,260 per person
5:1 / $1,060 per person
6+:2 / $1,150 per person

Iceberg
1:1 / $1,995 per person
2:1 / $1,425 per person
3:1 / $1,215 per person
4:1 / $1,270 per person
5:1 / $1,065 per person
6+:2 / $1,155 per person

Hidden Gems
1:1 / $3,655 per person
2:1 / $2,660 per person
3:1 / $2,315 per person
4:1 / $2,130 per person
5:1 / $2,055 per person
6+:2 / $2,255 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Trip Description

The plane buzzes away and you are left surrounded by 13.2 million acres of wilderness.

The feeling of immersion is usually reserved for long expeditions, but here in the Wrangells bush plane access makes it possible on a single day adventure. With a variety of locations and objectives, these hikes can be as relaxing or as exerting as you want them to be. A Fly-in Day Hike is a full value Alaska backcountry experience that gets you back in time for dinner.

Each trip includes a private guide and round trip scenic flight.

Duration: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: easy – hard Fly-in Hikes

We have listed our Fly-In Day Hike locations below with a brief description. If you want more information and photos, each of these is also a Backcountry location, click the name to visit the corresponding page.

The Fosse
Fly over Alaska valley glaciers. Hike through wildflower-filled alpine to an iceberg filled lake and views of 16,390 ft Mt. Blackburn.

Skolai
Fly through the heart of the Wrangells to an epic alpine pass at 6,000ft. Hike to waterfalls, hanging glaciers, lakes and big views.

Fan
A long flight gets you away from the crowds. Excellent hiking to views of hanging glaciers, huge vistas and unique kettle pools.

Iceberg
Fly through a large portion of the park. Hike to emerald alpine lakes in a valley surrounded by jagged peaks in an impressive landscape.

Hidden Gems
These are special flights to places seldom seen. Trips and locations custom tailored to personalized itinerary and logistics.

Nizina Lake
Fly past the Mile-High Cliffs to our packraft version of a fly-in day hike. Combine paddling the iceberg lake with great day hiking. If packrafting doesn’t interest you there is plenty to explore on foot!

Our booking process for Fly-In Day Trips starts with a Booking Form asking for your contact info, date(s) available and locations you’re interested in. Since we coordinate with the local air service for availability any flexibility in dates and locations is helpful and advanced booking is highly recommended.
If you are undecided, or open to location, we recommend booking the trip without finalizing a destination. This allows us to reserve a flight immediately. If you do so the deposit will reflect the lowest airfare range. We will then reach out to discuss the location. Once it’s finalized we will adjust your reservation with the updated flight cost.

Highlights:

  • Two scenic bush plane flights through the Wrangells
  • Variety of destinations throughout the park
  • Explore the backcountry with light packs
  • Access remote alpine loop hikes, ridge scrambles and lake paddles
  • Sleep in a bed at night!

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and light bushwacking.

Who:
Anyone looking for two flights and a backcountry adventure in one day.

When:
June-Sept
Flight times depend on air service availability.

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes
    • Pre-trip planning.
    • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
    • Small guide to client ratios.
    • Customizable itinerary.
    • Airfare into the backcountry.
    • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
    • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
    • Emergency camping gear (in the rare instance the plane cannot pick us up, do to weather conditions, we are prepared to spend the night in the backcountry)
    • Technical gear and equipment.
    • Day packs (if needed)
    • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

    Trip Does not Include

    • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
    • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
    • Pre & Post trip lodging.
    • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Fly-In Hike
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

Hire a guide, live your life!

Visited with my sister and we contacted KWG before our trip, we hiked the half day Root Glacier and full day fly in hike to Steamboat. Our guide was Spencer Williamson, enthusiastic, professional and a lot of fun. This experience exceeded all of our expectations and was reasonably priced. We are both grandmothers in our 50’s and I would suggest this adventure for anyone who wants to experience an awesome time. Loved it, would go back in a minute, Hire a guide, live your life! Thanks, Spencer!

Jackie R from Dallas, Texas

Half-Day Glacier Hike

Half-Day Glacier Hike

Duration : 4-5 hours
Cost : $
Difficulty : medium
Full-Day Glacier Hike

Full-Day Glacier Hike

Duration : 7-8 hours
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium
Ice Explorer Climb & Hike

Ice Explorer Climb & Hike

Duration : 7-9 hours
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium - hard
Fly-in Hikes

Fly-in Hikes

Duration : 7-9 hours
Cost : $$$
Difficulty : easy - hard
Donoho Lakes Hike

Donoho Lakes Hike

Duration : 7-9 hours
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium - hard
Glacier’s Edge Hike

Glacier’s Edge Hike

Duration : 4-5 hours
Cost : $
Difficulty : easy
Alpine Hikes

Alpine Hikes

Duration : 7-9 hours
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium - hard