Route Description: After parking next to the picturesque flowing water of Michael Creek, we’ll duck into the forest and start following a brushy trail that is used more by moose than people. The trail is hard to follow at first as it twists through dense forest, seemingly changing direction without purpose and passing several intersecting game trails and a junction where a spur trail branches off to a private cabin. After a short time, the trail empties onto the edge of a quiet pond where you might catch a moose hanging out. Walking clockwise around the pond, the trail picks back up somewhere in the tall grass and begins climbing steadily uphill. The trail can be a bit muddy and steep, and downed trees and other obstacles are present along its length. After climbing roughly 1000 feet, the trail emerges above tree line into the middle of a broad alpine slope. A solid hike up the slope involving some easy scrambling will bring you to the base of an imposing rock outcropping, where groups participating in the Standard Mountain Hike will stop for a total elevation gain of 1600 feet. (The route immediately becomes difficult as you traverse past the rock outcropping and encounter a series of challenging obstacles along the ridge.) From here, you’ll have a great view of Devils Thumb to the south across Trims Creek and a hidden waterfall on the opposite side of Michael Creek, and the blueberries are great in the last half of summer. On the way down, we may take a short detour to Michael Creek to enjoy some of the beautiful cascades and cliffs along the creek.
Route Length (Standard): 1.5 miles (one-way), 1600 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.