The mountains surrounding Black Rapids, Alaska are full of amazing sights and hidden gems that are mostly unknown to tourists and even local Alaskans. Approximately 2.5 hours southeast of Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway, this quiet area of the Alaska Range features scenery on par with Denali National Park but without all the people. Steep, snow-capped mountains dominate the skyline. Scenic rivers, creeks, and glaciers fill the mountain valleys. A short hike above tree line leads to impressive vistas, while a long hike into the alpine can take you to epic views that few people have ever seen. This area also features abundant wildlife including moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bison, wolves, coyotes, bears, lynx, eagles and more.

I offer private guided hikes in these mountains, with a variety of routes available to suit everyone from the beginner to the hardy adventurer. There are no daily tour schedules here, no out-of-state college kids herding tourists, no tour boats crammed full of people. You won’t find any signs telling you which way to go, and on several routes you likely won’t see another person during your tour. It's just you and the wilderness at your own pace. This area features the closest glaciers to Fairbanks reachable on a day hike along with some spectacular ice caves. For a nominal fee I can also double as your personal adventure photographer, and photographers can utilize my photography expertise at no extra expense. See rates and available routes below.

Rates

Alaska Resident & Military Discount: Parties with at least one Alaska resident or active duty U.S. Armed Forces 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 $100 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.

Standard tours range from 4 to 6 hours in duration depending on the route, while Expert tours range from 8 to 12 hours. Black Rapids Glacier and No Name Glacier are only offered under the Expert option, while Canwell Glacier is available under both. Castner Glacier and Scenic Mountain Creek Exploring are only offered under the Standard option. Clients who want to press farther into the wilderness or spend more time exploring, photographing, or otherwise enjoying their time outdoors should consider an Expert tour option, 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, though customers will receive credit for a future tour. Tours may be canceled due to extreme cold (below about -15 °F), in which case your tour will be rescheduled or fully refunded. However, 0° F is near average during the coldest months (December & January) and it’s actually a comfortable temperature to recreate in once your blood gets flowing, so clients should prepare to face cold temperatures and dress appropriately. For complete tour policies and more tour information, see the Black Rapids Tours FAQ.

Difficulty Ratings are assigned to each route as follows:
Easy: Low mileage & elevation gain, easy snow travel, suitable for people of average fitness and kids about 7 and up
Moderate: Rugged terrain, higher mileage, and/or breaking trail required, suitable for people of good fitness and kids about 10 and up
Difficult: Very high mileage, rugged terrain, and/or significant trail breaking required, suitable for tough kids about 12 and up

Please contact me if you have questions about the difficulty of a particular route. Keep in mind that snowshoeing requires more energy than walking, and breaking trail through deep snow can be very strenuous. Using alpine touring skis to travel in the backcountry is generally easiest, but I do not provide ski rentals. (Beaver Sports in Fairbanks rents them.) Snow conditions can greatly affect the difficulty of a particular route, and cold weather may make any trip challenging. You may change your selected route anytime before your tour starts, and I may suggest exchanging routes based on weather, snow conditions and other factors as your tour date approaches.

Difficulty Ratings are assigned to each route as follows:
Easy: Low mileage & elevation gain, easy snow travel, suitable for people of average fitness and kids about 7 and up
Moderate: Rugged terrain, higher mileage, and/or breaking trail required, suitable for people of good fitness and kids about 10 and up
Difficult: Very high mileage, rugged terrain, and/or significant trail breaking required, suitable for tough kids about 12 and up

Please contact me if you have questions about the difficulty of a particular route. Keep in mind that snowshoeing requires more energy than walking, and breaking trail through deep snow can be very strenuous. Using alpine touring skis to travel in the backcountry is generally easiest, but I do not provide ski rentals. (Beaver Sports in Fairbanks rents them.) Snow conditions can greatly affect the difficulty of a particular route, and cold weather may make any trip challenging. You may change your selected route anytime before your tour starts, and I may suggest exchanging routes based on weather, snow conditions and other factors as your tour date approaches.