Hike + History: Rocks, Rivers and Glaciers

Meet us in downtown Palmer or add-on direct lodging pick up from Anchorage, Wasilla or Palmer

🥾This trip is ideal for 🥾

• Travelers interested in an active, educational experience.
• Travelers who want to learn more about the Matanuska Valley.
• Travelers who want some variety during their trip. We’ll make several stops during our time together.

Departure times:

9AM and 3PM daily

Total trip time:

About 4 hours

Price:

• $149 per adult (12 and over)
• $129 per child (11 and under)
• $499 for a private adventure

🥾Walking/hiking details🥾

• About 3 miles of walking on a combination of sidewalks, packed trail and stairs
• This trip is about 800 feet of elevation gain and loss
• Expect to walk and hike for up to 3.5 hours at a leisurely pace

Stops and transportation time:

About 45 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy to moderately strenuous. Most adventurers find this activity moderately strenuous. Guests who can comfortably walk/hike 3 miles over uneven terrain will find this trip manageable.

Experience required?

No. This trip is best suited for visitors 8 years old and above.

Group size:

• Maximum of 8 people
• Minimum of 2 people
• Solo traveler? If you are the only person booked for this trip, we will reach out 1 day prior to your scheduled departure time. You will have the option to cancel (with a full refund) or book a second seat on the trip.

Trip details:

Our rivers, rocks, and glaciers trip combines outdoor activity with educational adventure. This 4-hour trip takes travelers back in time to imagine what the Matanuska Valley looked like when glaciers were here. We’ll spend time exploring a glacial outwash plain, talking about the landscape glaciers left behind.

From there we’ll set off for a 3-mile hike up the Butte. This local landmark climbs about 800 feet and offers views of the nearby Knik Glacier. We’ll return to downtown Palmer for a look at how this active glacial landscape has turned the valley into an agricultural hub for the state of Alaska.

This trip most frequently hikes the Butte, but in some instances we may take guests to hike in a different area. Alternate hiking locations included guided trips in Hatcher Pass, on Mat-Su Borough Trails and in Chugach State Park.

What to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Comfortable attire (long hiking pants and a breathable shirt). No cotton or denim if possible, as it gets very heavy and cold when wet.
• Small backpack
• Additional layers (hat, liner gloves, light jacket)
• Rain gear - If you have it, carrying both rain pants and a rain jacket is recommended
• Water (1-2 liters recommended)
• Light snacks

What we provide:

• A local guide
• Round-trip transportation from downtown Palmer ***option to add-on Anchorage, Wasilla or Palmer pick-up ***
• Complimentary snacks and water
• Trekking poles (as needed)