« Packrafting Overview

Hike and Packraft

Trip Description

This full-day packraft adventure delivers maximum value and deep immersion in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Your day begins with packraft gear loaded into your backpack as you hike through boreal forest, over rolling ridges, and along the edge of the Kennicott Glacier Lake.

Where the glacier meets the lake, the landscape transforms into a constantly shifting zone of ice, water, and melt channels—an area only accessible by packraft. After a brief skills introduction, you’ll paddle through glacial canals, drift past sculpted ice formations, and explore the quiet, mid-melt world that few visitors ever reach.

With towering alpine scenery in every direction, this trip blends hiking, packrafting, and exploration into one unforgettable day of adventure through land, water and ice.

Duration: 6-8 hrs
Difficulty: Medium Hike and Packraft

Highlights:

  • Access a remote glacial environment only reachable by packraft
  • Travel through forest, rolling ridgelines, and along the Kennicott Glacier Lake
  • Paddle the Upper Kennicott Lake and its glacial melt channels
  • Explore a constantly changing ice-and-water landscape
  • Spend the day in a quiet, rarely visited corner of the park
Trip Details
Terrain Challenges May Include:
Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces to the lake. Need to actively paddle your own packraft with a kayak paddle. Cold, glacial fed water.

Who:
Anyone looking for a little adventure, combining a personal paddling experience and a uniquely Alaskan location.

When:
Trip starts at 10:00 am

Where:
If you are staying in Kennicott, we will meet you at our office at 9:30 am and provide transportation down to the McCarthy area. If you are staying in McCarthy, we will pick you up or meet you there.

Trip Includes
  • Alpacka packraft, paddle, drysuit, PFD, drybag, river gloves, river shoes and river socks.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small or custom client to guide ratios.
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
  • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
  • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
  • For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit or Trip Planning Page for a gear list.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Hike and Packraft Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $650 per person
2:1 / $425 per person
3:1 / $325 per person
4:1 / $270 per person
5+ / $270 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 Gallery

Click to enlarge

Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $650 per person
2:1 / $425 per person
3:1 / $325 per person
4:1 / $270 per person
5+ / $270 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

This full-day packraft adventure delivers maximum value and deep immersion in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Your day begins with packraft gear loaded into your backpack as you hike through boreal forest, over rolling ridges, and along the edge of the Kennicott Glacier Lake.

Where the glacier meets the lake, the landscape transforms into a constantly shifting zone of ice, water, and melt channels—an area only accessible by packraft. After a brief skills introduction, you’ll paddle through glacial canals, drift past sculpted ice formations, and explore the quiet, mid-melt world that few visitors ever reach.

With towering alpine scenery in every direction, this trip blends hiking, packrafting, and exploration into one unforgettable day of adventure through land, water and ice.

Duration: 6-8 hrs
Difficulty: Medium Hike and Packraft

Highlights:

  • Access a remote glacial environment only reachable by packraft
  • Travel through forest, rolling ridgelines, and along the Kennicott Glacier Lake
  • Paddle the Upper Kennicott Lake and its glacial melt channels
  • Explore a constantly changing ice-and-water landscape
  • Spend the day in a quiet, rarely visited corner of the park
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces to the lake. Need to actively paddle your own packraft with a kayak paddle. Cold, glacial fed water.

Who:
Anyone looking for a little adventure, combining a personal paddling experience and a uniquely Alaskan location.

When:
Trip starts at 10:00 am

Where:
If you are staying in Kennicott, we will meet you at our office at 9:30 am and provide transportation down to the McCarthy area. If you are staying in McCarthy, we will pick you up or meet you there.

Trip Includes
  • Alpacka packraft, paddle, drysuit, PFD, drybag, river gloves, river shoes and river socks.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small or custom client to guide ratios.
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
  • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
  • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
  • For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit or Trip Planning Page for a gear list.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Hike and Packraft
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
Hike and Packraft
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