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Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- 7 days trekking tour in Katmai Natl. Park, Alaska -
In short
Tour code: ALA_TTS
Tour type: Trekking
Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
Tour character: overnighting in tents, walking with packs, very remote area
Best travel period: June-August
Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
Dates:
Custom and scheduled dates no scheduled dates at present
Price (p.p.): $ 3850
(6-12 participants / prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)
Included: | Flight Anchorage - King Salmon - Anchorage
| | Flight (sea plane) King Salmon - Brooks Camp - King Salmon
| | Bus transfers inside Katmai Natl. Park
| | German-/ English speaking wilderness guides
| | Full board during trekking & coking equipment
| | All park fees
| | Tents |
This trip takes us into the remote Katmai National Park in Southwestern Alaska. Famous for its Grizzly Bears and site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Many of the volcanoes in this area are part of what is called the Katmai volcanic cluster, a chain of volcanoes 25 km long and part of the Ring of Fire.
From Anchorage we take a flight on a jet crossing the Alaska Range on our way to the small fishing town King Salmon 300 miles southwest of Anchorage. On clear days we are astounded by the views of the volcanoes Mount Iliamna, Mount Redoubt and Mount Augustine on our way.
From King Salmon a float plane will bring us to Brooks Camp, our starting point of the trip. We set up our tents on the campground and take a walk to the famous Brooks Falls where we might see Grizzly Bears fishing for Red Salmon. The next day we take a scenic bus ride on a rugged road on a 4x4 bus crossing several streams on our way. Now we are in the remote wilderness of Katmai National Park and many hours and miles away from civilization. Katmai + the Valley of 10,000 Smokes Trekking
Day 1: |
Anchorage-Brooks Camp
Flight Anchorage to King Salmon and on to Brooks Camp with float plane.
We set up camp at the campground near the lodge and take a hike to the famous Brooks Falls.
Acc.: camp (L, D)
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Day 2: |
Brooks Camp-Valley of 10,000 Smokes
In the morning we catch the bus that takes us along a rugged road 37 km long road to the Three Forks Overlook. On the way we have the opportunity to see beaver lodges, moose, wolf and views of the Iluik Arm of Naknek Lake.
We finally arrive at the site of the largest eruption of the 20th century and look down into the valley. On clear days we can see Mount Katmai from here.
Acc.: as before (camp) (B, L, D)
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Day 3: |
Valley of 10,000 Smokes
After crossing the Lethe River we make our way to the old USGS cabin on Baked Mountain where we set up our tents. In the late afternoon we will climb to the top of Baked Mountain, from where we will have some of the best views of the entire valley.
Acc.: camp (B, L, D)
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Day 4: |
Novarupta
Today we will make our way to the source of the erruption Novarupta. We can still see and smell the sulfur steam coming out of the crater. Around some of the steam vents we can see some interesting mosses and other flora returning after the eruption. This eruption was 10 times as strong as the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. We return to our base camp on Baked Mountain.
Acc.: as before (camp) (B, L, D)
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Day 5: |
Katmai Pass
Another day of exploration will take us to Katmai Pass from where we can see the Pacific Ocean. Above us is the glacier covered Mount Mageik where we can also see steam rising up into the sky. In front of us is Mount Griggs named after Dr. Griggs. On a good weather day we have the possibility of an ascent of the active volcano Mount Trident. Return to camp on Baked Mountain.
Acc.: as before (camp) (B, L, D)
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Day 6: |
Three Forks Overlook
On our way back to the Three Forks Overlook we will go by the scenic Mageik Lakes on the toes of majestic Mount Mageik. We will spend the night by Windy Creek.
Acc.: camp (B, L, D)
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Day 7: |
Bus trip back to Brooks Camp
After a hike to the Ukak River and the Ukak Falls where we can admire cliffs of baked ash that look like a piece from Canyonlands in the Southwest we return to Brooks Camp where we set up our tents again for our final night on the campground.
At the lodge with a cozy fireplace we will be able to buy a beer and reflect of the days in the wilderness.
Acc.: camp (B, L, D)
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Day 8: |
Dumpling Mountain Hike
Our last day we have a choice of renting kayaks and paddling on Naknek Lake or hiking to the top of Dumpling Mountain with sweeping vistas of Naknek Lake. In the afternoon a float plane will take us back to King Salmon and we return to Anchorage where the trip will end.
Acc.: none (B, L)
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