Twin Lakes basin exudes the truest essence of Lake Clark National Park; a wilderness nirvana, where the allure of living a more simple life, in tune with nature and the changing seasons, captured Mr. Proenneke and will certainly captivate you.
With our collapsible kayaks providing unlimited access to the waterways, we’ll paddle the shorelines of Upper and Lower Twin. Along the way we’ll stop to stretch our legs into the valleys of Hope and Emerson Creeks; climb into Low Pass and/or make a loop through the curiously named Death Valley.
The day hikes offer a nice compliment to the clear water paddling affording amazing views of the Twin Lakes basin as well as providing you a sense of scale in these rugged surroundings. As the sounds of our float plane break the calm, we’ll ponder waving off our pilot and building our own cabin on the shore of Twin Lakes.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth. Check into local accommodations. Meet guides for orientation/welcome dinner.
Day 2: Morning flight to Lower Twin. We’ll set up camp at the west end of Lower Twin, assemble our kayaks and go for an afternoon hike. We’ll hoist day packs and head off to explore an area we call “Death Valley.” This fluvial filled wash is spectacular and leads us directly into the tundra. We’ll ascend another watershed to a pass and enjoy spectacular views of Big Valley and the mountains surrounding Twin Lakes.
Day 3: After yet another great breakfast, we’ll load the kayaks and will head up the shore of Lower Twin. We’ll spend the day kayaking, picnicking for lunch and enjoying the remote splendor of this special piece of Alaskan wilderness. As we head east toward the Upper Lake, the mountains will become more dramatic. We’ll scope the shore for wildlife and will make camp near the stream connecting the upper and lower lakes by late afternoon.
Day 4: Today we’ll spend our day hiking in the high country and open tundra above and to the south of our camp at the connecting stream. Our hike will take us through a mixed spruce woodland forest and up into a tundra carpeted watershed above the lake. The views of Emerson Creek to the north will inspire us for tomorrow’s hike to Emerson Falls.
Day 5: The early dawn will greet us with more adventure and we’ll start is all by lining our kayaks up the connecting stream. After a couple of hours of walking our boats up the creek, we’ll be paddling the azure waters of Upper Twin. We’ll make our way over to the mouth of Emerson Creek and will set up camp. We’ll grab a healthy lunch and a couple of energy bars and start our hike up to the Falls. Emerson is a spectacular drainage and the falls were one of Dick Proenneke’s favorite places to visit. A gourmet dinner and as always, dessert will nourish our bodies for a good night’s sleep.
Day 6: Today we’ll make the paddle to Hope Creek and our camp for the final night. Alaska size peaks will dominate our panorama and the solitude of paddling Upper Twin will entrance us. Our camp, near the mouth of Hope Creek, is a short walk away from Dick Proenneke’s cabin. After a hearty dinner, we’ll make our first visit to Proenneke’s cabin – his year-round home from 1968-98. We hope you feel Dick’s spirit as you wander about his property, admire is craftsmanship and imagine his existence so far from our modern world.
For over 30 years Dick Proenneke carved for himself a life in this wilderness, in tune with his surroundings, taking no more than he needed and giving back even more. You’ll marvel at the old world resourcefulness and craftsmanship that went into the building of his backcountry home and sense the overwhelming, yet comfortable, solitude that he enjoyed.
Day 7: Today we will break camp and await our float plane pick-up. We’ll return to Port Alsworth by early afternoon. Bid Lake Clark National Park a fond farewell as you return to Anchorage by early evening.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All small planes airfare upon arrival in Anchorage, Alaska.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
National Parks
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