Katmai and Lake Clark – Noyes Custom

Katmai and Lake Clark – Noyes Custom

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DATES

September 7, 2017 - September 13, 2017

REGION

Lake Clark National Park

TRIP COST

$$$

calendar

DATES

September 7, 2017 - September 13, 2017
region

REGION

Lake Clark National Park
price

TRIP COST

$$$

Katmai and Lake Clark are exceptional wilderness areas on the Alaska Peninsula. Join us for a week of hiking, fishing and relaxation in our favorite parts of these parks. With great hiking, world class bear viewing, stunning geology and solitude that you can only find in Alaska it promises to be a trip to be remembered.

TRIP DETAILS

We start the trip in Katmai National Park. It is best known for the abundance and size of its bears but its geology is no less exceptional. In 1912 Novarupta erupted in the largest volcanic eruption of the century, burying the region in ash and creating what we now call the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.

We spend the first two days of the trip camping and hiking in this other-worldly landscape of ashen canyons and cinder cones. Our sturdy camp will be tucked into the mountains near the wind-swept plains and we will have lots of time to hike the ash flats or into the hills. But no trip to Katmai would be complete without seeing the world’s largest bears.

After our time in the crater we will head to the famed Brooks Camp. The peak season will be over but there should still be bears in the river. We often see sows with cubs at the falls in September as they feed spawned out salmon to their cubs who wait eagerly on the shore.

Then it is on to Lake Clark for more hiking and camping as summer turns to fall. With luck, the gold leaves of birch and aspen will be rivaled only by the Aurora at night. Twin Lakes are the heart of Lake Clark National Park and offer the best hiking in the region. Hiking from Twin Lakes is excellent either in the boreal forest or on the  gravelly ridges. Steep mountains, alpine tundra, rocky canyons and broad glacial valleys beckon us to explore.

Dall sheep, caribou and moose along with a great diversity of bird life make the hiking all the more intriguing. In addition to the natural history, Twin Lakes is famous because of  naturalist Dick Proeneke who spent almost 30 years living in the area. He was an exceptional craftsman and writer who made numerous films and wrote “One Man’s Wilderness” which we suggest reading for the trip. A long day hike from our camp will take us to his handcrafted cabin on Upper Twin Lake.

Last updated: November 25, 2020

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

September 6

Meet your guide in King Salmon for a pre-trip meeting at 6:30.

September 7

Fly from King Salmon to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes and land on the edge of the plains. Once camp is set-up we can hike and explore the fascinating landscape.

September 8

We have a full day to explore the mountains and crater. The weather and your desires will dictate the events of the day but with the variety of landforms and the dramatic scenery, it is bound to be an amazing day.

September 9

Pack-up camp and listen for the plane. If the weather is good it is a quick ride back to King Salmon where you switch to a float plane. Then its back into Katmai for a couple hours of bear-viewing at Brooks Falls before re-boarding the plane for the flight through the mountains to Twin Lakes.

September 10 - 11

Two full days to explore around Twin Lakes. We will bring a couple of pack rafts with us so we can go out on the lake if the weather allows, and we can certainly head into the high country up among the boulders and Dall sheep. Also of interest is Dick’s cabin so we will make the walk along the lake shore and visit this historic site.

September 12

A float plane lands on the lake and we load ourselves and gear into it. Take a last photo and enjoy the quiet before our short flight to the town of Port Alsworth, Population 160. The plane brings us to The Farm Lodge run by the Alsworth Family and right on the shores of Lake Clark. From our base at the lodge you can explore the town, hike to the nearby falls, go to the park’s visitor center or just sit by the lake and take in the views

September 13

Mid-morning fly to Anchorage via the spectacular Lake Clark Pass, where the trip concludes.

Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless.  A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip.

You mentioned to me in an email that you have terrific guides - you do indeed.  Dave is a superb guide. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails.   He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. I know the others would concur in my praise.

- Sandra, California, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation starts in King Salmon and ends in Anchorage, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, base camp tent, safety & repair gear, professional guide service, and big wilderness.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging , non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, fishing license, nor gratuity for guides.

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Alaska. Temperatures will range from the 20s to 70s. Snow is possible any day of the year, but we get plenty of sunny weather this time of the year. Mosquitoes should not be an issue but bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case.

RECOMMENDED READING

One Man’s Wilderness, Dick Proeneke; Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner. More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.

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  3. Secure your trip with a deposit
  4. We will send you a detailed packing list
  5. Book your flights and accommodations
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"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
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