Is previous backpacking experience required?

Basic fitness and some hiking experience are recommended, but guides tailor the experience for skill levels.

What is included in the trip price?

Guided instruction, permits, meals, and camping gear are included; personal gear is the participant's responsibility.

Are there options for shorter trips?

Yes, custom itineraries can be arranged for shorter durations upon request.

What kind of wildlife might I see?

Wildlife like marmots, Dall sheep, and eagles are commonly spotted along the trail.

Is there cell phone service?

Cell service is limited; plan accordingly for safety and navigation.

What should I do in case of emergency?

Guides are trained for wilderness first aid, and emergency protocols are in place for remote locations.

Sanford Plateau mini-Backpacking | Hiking in McCarthy | Private, Eco Tour | Hiking | Private

Located in the rugged wilderness of Sanford Plateau, this 7-day private backpacking trip with St. Elias Alpine Guides offers a secluded escape into an otherworldly tundra landscape. Situated within the expansive boundaries of the Alaska wilderness, this journey takes adventurers through rolling hills, alpine meadows, and stark, breathtaking vistas. The area is characterized by expansive flat-topped peaks, wind-sculpted rock formations, and vibrant wildflower blankets that burst into color during the short summer season. Wildlife sightings are common here, with marmots, Dall sheep, and bald eagles often spotted along the trail, while dramatic mountain vistas serve as a stunning backdrop for every step. Geologically, Sanford Plateau showcases layered sedimentary rock, evidence of ancient glacial activity, and features unique formations shaped by millennia of wind and water erosion. This trip is perfect for those seeking a blend of challenge and tranquility, offering an immersive experience far from crowds and urban life. The guides emphasize Leave No Trace principles, ensuring this pristine environment remains untouched for future visitors. Sophisticated and personally tailored, the trip encourages travelers to set their own pace and focus on the connection with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a passionate newcomer, this experience offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the ecological and geological richness of this remote corner of Alaska. Comfortable campsites provide a cozy base after long days of trekking, and nights under the stars reveal an incredible tapestry of constellations, absent of light pollution. St. Elias Alpine Guides has been sharing this wilderness gem for years, with passionate guides committed to safety, education, and sustainable adventure, making Sanford Plateau an exceptional destination for outdoor explorers craving solitude, stunning geology, and wild Alaskan beauty.

About St. Elias Alpine Guides

St. Elias Alpine Guides is a guiding company based in McCarthy, Alaska, offering guided adventures throughout Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and surrounding wilderness. The company leads a range of trips including packrafting, multi-day rafting, glacier hiking, ice climbing, fly-in hiking, and private basecamp expeditions. Popular itineraries include Doubtful–Nizina Packrafting, Tebay Lakes Basecamp Packrafting, Chitina River trips, Western Copper River rafting, Raft and Flightsee, Full-Day Glacier Hike on Root Glacier, Skolai Pass fly-in hiking, Bremner Mine basecamp hiking, and multi-day Ice Climbing and Ice Climbing Camp programs.

Trips are available as scheduled group departures or fully private, customizable experiences with options for day trips and multi-day expeditions. Many itineraries accommodate families and groups; for example, Chitina River trips welcome guests ages eight and up and Western Copper River trips can include children as young as three. Several trips conclude with scenic bush plane flights or operate from remote fly-in access points.

St. Elias Alpine Guides emphasizes small-group guiding, route planning, and trip customization to match client skill levels and objectives. Guides provide logistics, gear guidance, and route choices appropriate to each itinerary. Booking information lists fixed departures for some trips and private-date options for others, with clear descriptions of duration and difficulty. The company’s offerings focus on authentic wilderness experiences in McCarthy, Root Glacier, Tebay Lakes, the Copper River corridor, and surrounding Alaskan river systems.

Clients can select multi-day basecamps, day hikes, guided ice-climbing instruction, or combined raft-and-flightsee itineraries to tailor pace, challenges, and family needs. Booking details and gear lists.