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The Trip

In late August, the alpine tundra of Kesugi ridge is painted with the bright red leaves of the shrub birch, the yellow of the few hardy aspens, splashes of green from low-lying willows, and dots of pale blue from ripe blueberries. On clear days, 360-degree views encompass the Alaska Range with Mount McKinley to the west and the Talkeetna Range to the east. Join us as we hike north along this ancient ridge in a setting of vibrant fall colors, staggering views, and Alaska wildlife.

We will begin by meeting in Anchorage the day before the trip to sort our gear and get organized. While not part of the trip, we strongly encourage joining your fellow travelers for a pre-trip meeting and no-host dinner in downtown Anchorage. On Monday, August 27th, the official start date of the trip, we will shuttle by van to our trailhead at Byers Lake. After a short hike, we will set our camp in the boreal forest covering the flanks of Kesugi Ridge. The trail climbs upwards and by the end of the second day, we will have obtained the crest of the ridge with its numerous small lakes and tundra habitat. The autumn season will appear quickly as we rise in elevation, providing us with bright colors, crisp mornings, and the peak of berry season.

We will make our way at a leisurely pace, traveling 4-5 miles a day, leaving plenty of time for exploring and photography. Our route follows the ridge with slight ups and downs along the way as we travel north. From our perch high above the Susitna River, we will see the glaciers of the Alaska Range near Denali to the west and the snow capped Talkeetna mountains to the east. After our five nights of camping, we will descend from the ridge at Little Coal Creek and have a quick shuttle to the Alaska railroad crossing at Hurricane Gulch. Here we will flag the train as it passes and travel southward along scenic Indian River and the Susitna River. This four-car train stops frequently at homesteads along the tracks and river, loading families and equipment. Vistas open as the train crosses the trestle over the river and follows the shoreline to its terminus in the quaint town of Talkeetna. Sightings of spawning salmon, mouse and bear are common along the river bars.

In Talkeetna, we will walk to our riverfront lodge and have a chance to get clean before walking into town for dinner. The following morning we will have time for a hike, enjoying the fall colors. Weather permitting, participants may decide to purchase a flight around Mount McKinley or even land on the glaciers below. Our train back to Anchorage departs in the late afternoon, bringing us back to Anchorage at 8 p.m. on September 2.

Itinerary

On Sunday, August 26, we'll gather in downtown Anchorage for pre-trip meeting and equipment check, followed by no-host dinner at the Glacier brewhouse.

Day 1: At 8:00 a.m. we'll depart from Anchorage, with van support to the trailhead at Beyers Lake.

Days 2-5: We'll hike approximately 4-5 miles a day along the Kesugi Ridge.

Day 6: We'll follow the gentle descent of the Kesugi Ridge on the Little Coal Trail, then go by van and shuttle to the Hurricane train, which will take us to our lodge in Talkeetna.

Day 7: On our last day, hiking, flight-seeing or fishing are all possible in the morning before our 4:30 p.m. departure on the Alaska Railroad, arriving in Anchorage around 8 p.m.

Getting There

Participants are strongly advised to arrive in Anchorage on Saturday, August 25.

Accommodations and Food

We'll spend five nights camping and one night at a lodge in Talkeetna. All meals are provided beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day.

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderate backpack with mostly cross-country hiking. Weather changes rapidly at this elevation and time of year. Crystal clear days can be followed by rain and even snow. Be prepared for cold weather. Participants will need to make sure their rain gear and equipment are adequate. Pre-trip conditioning is strongly advised. The leaders will provide suggestions for conditioning and gear. Our community gear will start at 12-15 pounds per person on the first day.

Equipment and Clothing

Stoves, fuel, cooking gear, kitchen tarp, repair kit, bear repellent spray, water purification and first aid kit are furnished. Participants should bring their own eating utensils, medications, toiletries and supplies such as moleskin, tape, insect repellent, sunscreen, water bottles, etc. Usual camping gear such as a tent, sleeping bag and pad, backpack, comfortable and warm non-cotton clothing will form the basis of your equipment. Full rain gear, jacket and rain pants, warm hat and gloves will also be needed. Each trip member will receive a detailed equipment list after acceptance on the outing.

References

There are many good books and magazines that you might want to read before the trip. Some suggestions are:

• Muir, John, Travels in Alaska.
• Kent, Rockwell, Wilderness: A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska.
• Bancroft, Hubert H., A Guide to the Birds of Alaska.
• McPhee, John, Coming Into the Country.
• Pratt, Verna, Alaskan Wildflowers.
• Smith, Dave, Bear Basics.
• Hoshino, Michio, Moose.
• Pielou, E.C., A Naturalist’s Guide to the Arctic.

Conservation

We will discuss current Alaska conservation issues in general and for the Susitna area in particular. As a case in point, our hike will be spent in a wilderness area, but we will be greeted in Talkeetna by access roads, cabins, anglers, and other tourists. Multiple use issues abound in Alaska’s wild lands. An extensive discussion is possible to reconcile the differences between preservation, recreation, and subsistence uses.

We will also discuss the impact of tourism. It wasn't long ago, for example, that the train through Talkeetna to Denali and beyond had a single dome car. Now, during the summer, there may be up to 20 dome cars on several trains per day. Many tour buses also pass through the area. How can the Susitna area cope with these swarms of visitors and still protect land and animal resources?

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Alaska State Parks.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Kater Murch grew up mountain biking in Marin County and has been backpacking in Alaska with the Sierra Club for nearly fifteen years. Among his many talents are gourmet cooking, route finding, guitar playing, and quantum physics. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley.

Email: katermurch@gmail.com

Assistant Leader:

Becky Bart is a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. She grew up hiking and backpacking with her parents and has recently begun leading trips through the Sierra Club.

E-mail: bart.rebecca@gmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners