3 Day Williwaw and Long Lakes Backpacking and Hiking Tour in Chugach State Park in Alaska, USA
USA Hiking Tour in Alaska
This Williwaw Lakes and Long Lake backpacking tour is a perfect, abbreviated multi-day experience for both locals and travelers seeking adventure in the Anchorage Area. This monumental Chugach State Park route features a variety of terrain, features, and solitude that you will adore. Rugged peaks, huge valleys, and pristine alpine lakes mark the route with breathtaking moments. You'll have plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, including moose, bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and many different types of songbirds. You'll share great backcountry food and camaraderie while enjoying the great Alaskan wilderness. Does this sound like your cup of soup? Join Go Hike Alaska this summer, and make your Alaskan vacation truly memorable!
Highlights
- 3 days of hiking
- Experience backpacking one of the Chugach State Park’s finest landscapes!
- Perfect for adventurous solo travelers and couples
- All guides are Wilderness First Aid certified, trained, and backpacking experts
- Learn about Alaska's unique geology, ecology, and biology. All the 'ologies!
- Opportunity for stunning photos, wildlife viewing, and boundless exploration
- Rations and many items provided
- 2 nights accommodation in tents
Skill level
- Advanced
Accommodation
You'll camp at designated spots during the hike. You will stay in a private tent.
Program
Trip facts
- Tour time: 3 days and 2 nights (starting on Wednesdays and ending on Fridays)
- Travel time (from Anchorage): 1 hour (half hour one-way)
- Distance and elevation gain: ~20 miles (32 km) and 4,300 feet (1,311 m) (or 430 flights of stairs)
- Difficulty: 5/5 "Difficult for most"
- Recommended for ages 16 - 65
Itinerary
Day 1
You'll start the tour by ascending forested hills with towering spruce, birch, and cottonwoods. It's an area where you can really bask in the boreal environment which covers much of the state. Making your way through the subalpine, you’ll hike up the valley through lush hemlock forests humming with birds and brimming with wildflowers.
Upon reaching the crux of the valley, you’ll encounter a series of crystal-clear, bluish-green water flowing from the nearby mountains. This is where your pristine, alpine campsite and warm food await after hiking 8 miles (13 km). There are plenty of opportunities to explore the area for more adventure, or you can just soak in the remoteness of the area and enjoy the wild.
Day 2
The next morning, you’ll continue the majestic trek through cavernous slopes while seeing dazzling waterfalls and intriguing rock formations along the way. As you round the corner of Middle Fork Campbell Creek Valley, you’ll see even more divine tributaries and pools of glistening water. Vivid lichen and moss cover the bedrock, and tundra life can be felt through and through.
After 5 fantastic miles (8 km), you’ll camp at another stunning alpine location at the west end of Long Lake, setting you up perfectly for the final day.
Day 3
On the last day, you’ll travel down North Fork Campbell Creek Valley before trekking to the summit of Near Point, which is positioned 3,000 feet (914 m) above Anchorage. From the top, you’ll see all of Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and the massive valley from where you just descended. It’s a surreal way in which to cap off the three-day trip.
You'll grab your last aerial photos before returning to forested land, which marks the way back to the trailhead. This day consists of roughly 7 total miles (11 km) of hiking.
As part of your experience, you receive:
- Permitted, insured, and renowned tour operation in South-Central Alaska
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Outdoor Education Trained Guide
- Wilderness First Response, CPR, and EPI-pen Certified Guide
- Education on how to prepare for and execute a multi-day backpacking trip
- Education on how to handle large animal encounters
- Rations supplied! If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let them know.
- How to cook in the backcountry the “traditional” way (i.e., no freeze-dried food!)
- Shuttling to and from the trailheads
- Assistance with outfitting your gear for the tour
Conditioning requirements
This can be a difficult hike, given the elevation gain and total distance traveled. However, this tour can be completed by someone who has never backpacked! You will need to train, and condition before setting out on the trail. Here is what you should know in advance.
- You will be traveling ~20 miles (32 km) additional mileage for any other side-hikes you decide to pursue.
- There is considerable elevation gain during the hike, estimated between 4,500 to 5,000 total feet (1,372 to 1,524 m).
- Poor trail conditions, (i.e., muddy, slick, and wet)
- Harsh weather
- In general, you should be able to balance well and travel about 1.5 mph (2.4 kph) with a 30 lb (14 kg) pack. for an extended period. On average, you will travel anywhere between 5-8 hours per day.
- The checkout questionnaire will help you, and Go Hike Alaska, identify whether this is a good trip for you to attempt. Please send an inquiry and complete the survey when you are ready. All members of the party must complete a survey.
After completing the survey and discussing any questions you have with Go Hike Alaska regarding gear, route, planning, or anything else, you are ready to book. Don't forget to review the item lists as well.
As always, Go Hike Alaska welcomes your questions and can help you plan your trip.
What are you waiting for? Book now and start preparing for your Alaskan adventure of a lifetime!
Note
Go Hike Alaska provides round trip transportation from Anchorage and the tents, and some other misc. gear. Go Hike Alaska has a locked office if you need to store extra luggage.
Ask Go Hike Alaska about the provided gear and what you need to bring here. There are a few things they can rent out, but you’ll need to get in contact with Go Hike Alaska so they know. All accommodations and gear are split with the group to carry.
Location
This program takes place at Williwaw Lakes and Long Lake in the Chugach State Park, Alaska.
Food
Rations are provided. Please let Go Hike Alaska know if you have any allergies.
Cookware will also be provided, to be split between the group:
- Pot and pans kit
- Spatula
- Whisperlight stoves with repair kit and wind block
- Scrubby and pan scraper for pans
- Wooden spoon
- 30 oz MSR fuel bottles (with fuel)
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
The following items are available for rent:
- Backpack, 50L to 65L - 25 USD per week
- Gaiters - 5 USD per week
- Sleeping bag with stuff sack - 25 USD per week
- Sleeping pad - 25 USD per week
- Battery packs, goal zero flip systems - 5 USD per week
- Camp chair, Helinox ultra-lite chairs - 25 USD per week
- Footprint for organizing items, simple REI footprint - 5 USD per week
- Stuff sacks, various sizes - 5 USD per week
The following items are available for purchase:
- Lightweight buff, non cotton - 35 USD
- Vessels for drinking fluids, minimum 1.5L - 15 USD
- 1st layer, light or midweight base layer shirt, non cotton - 89 USD
- 1st layer, light or midweight base layer pants, non cotton - 89 USD
What's included
- Permitted, insured and renowned tour operation in South-Central Alaska
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Outdoor Education trained guide
- Wilderness First Response, CPR, and EPI-pen certified guide
- Education on how to prepare for and execute a multi-day backpacking trip
- Education on how to handle large animal encounters
- How to cook in the backcountry the “traditional” way (i.e., no freeze-dried food!)
- Shuttling to and from the trailheads
- Assistance with outfitting your gear for the tour
- Cookware, to be shared between the group
- 3 mil garbage bag for rain protection
- Bear spray
- 1- or 2-person lightweight backpacking tent/tarp/bivvy with rain system and footprint
- Trekking pole
- Dr. Bronners soap
- Hand sanitizer
- 2 nights camping accommodation
- Rations are provided
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- VAT / GST / other similar taxes
- Sleeping pad or sleeping bag with stuff sack
- Spoons and forks, vessels for eating
- Water treatment system
- Vessels for drinking fluids
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
41 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Transfers from and to the airport are not included in the price. Please send an inquiry for more information on getting to the accommodation.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 21% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.