Route Description: Gulkana Glacier is one of the best glacier hiking experiences you can find in Alaska without a helicopter. The incline of the glacier is smooth all the way from its toe to the sudden dropoff where it intersects the edge of the Canwell Glacier valley, and once you reach bare ice it’s almost as easy as walking along a road. Crevasses and other obstacles are also few and easily avoided. The hike to the toe of Gulkana Glacier is approximately 2.5 miles and starts by crossing a footbridge that most people find to be a highlight of their trip. A well-worn foot path leads most of the way from the footbridge to the glacier. Many hikers are content to stop near the toe of the glacier without actually hiking on the ice, and the view of the Gabriel Icefall is certainly nice if you do. To access the glacier itself, though, you must cross a creek flowing in front of the toe. This has become more challenging in the past couple years as the glacier has receded and the creek has changed. Earlier in summer it may be possible to find a sturdy snow bridge across the creek or a spot where the creek can be hopped without having to wade through it—but if you can’t easily jump 3-4 feet you may want to bring a pair of water crossing shoes for wading the creek just in case. At times, wading or hopping the creek may not be an option due to high water flow, and a more difficult detour along the steep hill bordering the glacier may be required, which may be intimidating for beginners. The impressive Gabriel Icefall dominates the view along the lower half of the glacier, and above the icefall you can stroll past more tributary glaciers, waterfalls, and ice-sculpted mountains until you reach the USGS hut near the glacier’s dropoff. Conditions may vary but generally it takes until late June for snow to melt off the lower glacier and well into July for the upper reaches. Weather changes quickly at Gulkana Glacier, so bring rain gear and expect cooler temperatures due to the higher starting elevation and the cooling effect of the glacier ice.
Route Length: up to 6 miles (one-way), up to 2300 feet elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Rates
1 Person $400
2 People $450 ($225pp)
3 People $575 ($192pp)
4 People $675 ($165pp)
5 People $775 ($155pp)
6 People $875 ($146pp)
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.
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.