Route Description: On the remote side of the Delta River to the north of Black Rapids Glacier lies another sizable glacier with no name. I wouldn’t be surprised if this unnamed glacier has gone years at a time without seeing any visitors. After 5 years of advertising this route I finally had one intrepid customer who ventured to the glacier with me in March 2024, and we found a massive ice tunnel at the glacier that no one else has ever seen. (Photo of ice tunnel not included in the interest of keeping the glacier somewhat mysterious.) Aside from the ice tunnel, we also saw four moose and tracks belonging to both wolf and wolverine. Once the Delta River freezes over (typically by January) it is a simple 6 mile walk along the windswept frozen drainage to the glacier, though snowshoes or skis might be useful for the last mile or so, or for the whole route following heavy snow. The drainage features open water in many spots but the flow isn’t great and these spots are easy to avoid. The route gains more elevation than hiking to Black Rapids Glacier but is roughly the same in difficulty and length, though the scenery is quite different. If you have any gas left in the tank when you reach the glacier you can explore in a few different directions: alongside the glacier itself where ice caves and other curiosities are likely to be found, up a side valley containing another small glacier, or up an adjacent slope for great views of “No Name” Glacier. If you want to go somewhere few people have been, this is the hike for you. Mid-to-late March is the best time to visit because the sun begins shining directly into the valley most of the day. (No ice climbing gear required.)
Route Length (Expert Only): 12+ miles round-trip, 1000 feet elevation gain
Difficulty: Difficult
Rates
Expert Tour (8-12 hours)
1 Person $425
2 People $475 ($237.50pp)
3 People $600 ($200pp)
4 People $700 ($175pp)
5 People $800 ($160pp)
6 People $900 ($150pp)
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.
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.