Bear Creek “Trail” - Standard Mountain Hike
Route Description: This hike starts on a trail adjacent to Bear Creek on the north side of the Alaska Range, closer to Fairbanks than all other routes and only a 30-minute drive from Delta Junction. The trail is unmarked and a little steep on a few short stretches but relatively easy to follow, climbing approximately 900 feet over one mile. Thanks to the wind blowing much of the snow away throughout winter, this route melts off quickly in the spring and is mostly snow-free by late April or early May, making it a great hiking option in early summer when other locations are still buried in snow. As you hike along the trail you’ll see many signs of animal activity, especially moose, and in August & September you can spot many interesting mushrooms or pick high-bush cranberries. There are several scenic overlooks of the Bear Creek canyon and the Delta River valley down below, including great spots for photos with the mountains and rest at the halfway mark and end of trail. For beginners or those seeking an easier hike, the end of this trail is a good stopping point and a nice spot to picnic with beautiful views near the base of some impressive cliffs. However, experienced hikers and fit participants will enjoy climbing another 500 vertical feet up a steep hillside to gain the broad, gentle ridge where hikers can explore giant rock outcroppings and look for wildlife as time permits. Dall sheep, caribou, and marmots are particularly active along the ridge and I once encountered three wolves on this route! The forest provides shelter from the wind over most of the trail but sometimes a strong south wind blows over the exposed sections of trail, and up high the wind can get intense, so bring a windbreaker!
Route Length (Standard): up to 2 miles (one-way), 1000-2000 feet elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Rates
Standard Tour (4-6 hours)
1 Person $300
2 People $350 ($175pp)
3 People $450 ($150pp)
4 People $525 ($131pp)
5 People $600 ($120pp)
6 People $675 ($112.50pp)
Alaska Resident & Military Discount: Parties with at least one Alaska resident or active duty military personnel receive a 10% discount. Enter code “AK_AND_MILITARY_DISCOUNT” at checkout.
Add $50 per person for professional adventure portraits. (High-resolution digital files delivered via web download after your hike.)
Receive a discount when you also book an Aurora Borealis Photography Tour. (Please inquire.)
Rates above do not include transportation from Fairbanks! Optional transportation is available for an extra fee.
Customers who want to press farther into the wilderness or spend more time exploring, photographing, or otherwise enjoying their time outdoors should consider the Expert Mountain Hike, though Standard tours are designed to offer impressive sights and a fun experience on routes where offered. If you require optional transportation from Fairbanks, please note the tour durations above do not include travel time, and that travel time from Fairbanks is approximately 2.5 hours each way.
All tours are PRIVATE and involve no technical rock or ice climbing. Maximum group size 6; special arrangements must be made for larger groups up to 10. Children are welcome on tours but there is no youth discount; see age recommendations in difficulty ratings below. Full payment is required to reserve a tour. A 5% cancellation fee is charged when reservations are canceled at least 10 days in advance. A 50% cancellation fee is charged when reservations are canceled less than 10 days but at least three days in advance. No refunds are given for cancellations made less than three days in advance. Tours may be canceled due to extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorms), highway closures, etc., in which case your tour will be rescheduled or fully refunded. However, rain, wind, and temperatures near freezing are quite common in the mountains, especially at higher elevations, so customers should dress appropriately and be prepared to face the elements. Note that light rain showers are much more common than heavy downpours. While I can sometimes shift the date of a tour to align with better weather (subject to availability), I cannot guarantee perfect weather on the day of your hike and do not provide refunds if you experience rainy or cloudy weather. If you are afraid of catching a single raindrop or clouds hampering your landscape photo opportunities, please do not bother booking! For complete tour policies and more tour information, see the Black Rapids Tours FAQ.