Kesugi Ridge 5-day
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Overview:
The Kesugi Ridge has been said to have one of the most beautiful views in all of North America. A classic Alaska ridge hike with a perfect view of the towering giant, Denali should be on any trekker, or photographers bucket list. The Ridge can be broken up into a North and South Section but is typically hiked from North to South. We offer a 3 day trip that tackles the North section or a longer trip that hikes the entire ridge in 5 days.The five day option is slightly more strenuous as it has some sections of lesser maintained trail. It also contains a rather large valley that must be descended and ascended on the opposite side.
*1 bear can per person required for this trip. Expect to carry 5-10 lbs. of food on the first day of the trip, added to your base weight.
Challenge:
*1 bear can per person required for this trip. Expect to carry 6-10 lbs of food on the first day of the trip, added to your base weight.
Additional Information:
Getting to Anchorage: Fly to Anchorage airport. Rental car will be necessary for this trip.
Getting to Denali Viewpoint South: A 2 hour and 20 minute drive from Anchorage.
A minimum of 3 participants is needed to proceed with the trip.
What’s Included:
A certified and highly experienced Kesugi Hiking Guide
All meals on trial
Dinner and Camping the night before trip
Shuttle back to car on last day
Permits for backcountry use
What’s not Included:
Gratuities for guide (15-20% recommended)
Airplane travel and travel to and from Denali Viewpoint South
*Don’t see a date that works, give us a call, and we can create custom dates.
Itinerary:
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Meet with your guide for a pre-trip orientation to discuss logistics, hand out gear, and talk about what to expect on trail. Trip orientation takes place in Denali State Park, at the Denali Viewpoint South. If the sky clears this spot allows an incredible view of the continent’s largest mountain. Here camping is available along with a guide provided dinner the night before your trip.
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The adventure will begin just a few miles up the road. We will caravan to the Little Coal Creek Trailhead, our access point to the Kesugi Ridge. The first day is by far the most challenging as we have to gain the ridge in order to gaze on a view some people call the most beautiful in all of Alaska. We will continue along the alpine ridge through fields of flowers to find a campsite in the soft tundra.
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On our 2nd day of hiking, we will continue along the ridge with many more opportunities of views of Denali, see wildlife, and plentiful water from streams and glacial carved tarns. We will spend one more night on the ridge with a gourmet meal provided by your guide and take in the majestic views.
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After a hearty breakfast and coffee hopefully with clear views of Denali, day 3 entails Hiking down from the dream like views of the Kesugi Ridge.
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Descend from the Ridge into a stunning glacial carved valley where you will traverse the meadows and ascend the other side on your way to Skinny lake. Skinny lake is the only location on the entire Kesugi where wooden tent platforms can be found.
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Start the day by ascending Golog Peak, where views of the expansive surrounding tundra and of Denali abound. From here relatively easier travel through low-lying alpine plants and rolling hills take us to another lush campsite on the ridge where we will take in the last night of alpine serenity.
