Knik Glacier Packrafting Adventure - What to Know and Bring
What to Know before your Knik Glacier hiking and packrafting adventure with Alaska Hiking and Packrafting Adventure Guides:
My name is Erik Halfacre and I’m a guide here at Alaska Hiking and Packrafting Adventure Guides. I’d like to thank you for booking our Knik Glacier Hiking and Packrafting Adventure.
I know you’re probably as excited as I am to get out there and experience the Knik glacier and river valley, but first let’s take a minute to go over what you’ll need to know for the trip.
This trip usually takes about ten hours, but can run longer depending on the weather, your group size, and how long you want to spend at the glacier.
Expect to hike between 10 and 12 miles: 9 miles to the glacier and a short walk back to your car from the river at the end of the trip.
The trip starts at 7:30 AM unless you have made other arrangements with your guide ahead of time, and we suggest you arrive twenty minutes early in order to have enough time to get your gear situated and allow for any moose that might block the road on your way to the meeting point.
Speaking of the meeting point, the trip begins at the office of Knik Glacier Tours, which is located at 26326 Buckshot Lane, in Palmer, Alaska. It’s about an hour to an hour and a half drive from Anchorage. If you need directions feel free to call us at (907)982-2221.
Before the trip, you will be required to fill out a waiver of liability, either online, or in person on the day of your trip.
In order to have a great time, you need to be comfortable, and to be comfortable you need to have clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Bring a warm fleece or sweater, a rain jacket, hat and gloves, and wear synthetic pants that will dry quickly. You may not use all of this if it’s a nice day, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Bring a spare set of clothes to change into in case you become wet. We will provide you with a dry bag to protect your extra clothes while boating.
The footwear you choose for this trip is very important. Somewhat counterintuitively, you may want to avoid waterproof footwear, choosing instead to wear something that will drain well.
Be sure to wear warm merino wool or synthetic socks, and definitely not cotton. You can expect to be wet from the knees down for much of the trip, and this combination will give your feet the best chance to dry out and stay warm.
Food is not provided on this trip, so be sure to bring a high calorie lunch and plenty of snacks, such as energy bars, cheese, candy etc. We will have the opportunity to stop and filter water at several points along the trip, so be sure to bring a bottle for water.
Freeze dried meals and snacks are available for purchase in advance of your trip. Call ahead to arrange for your guide to provide lunch and snacks.
Most importantly, come ready to have an awesome time! Packrafting the Knik River is an unforgettable experience and we can’t wait to take you there!
Alaska 2018 - 28 [Seward Highway & Alyeska Resort]
In this video, follow along as we make the drive from Anchorage to Girdwood and the Alyeska Resort. See more photos and info on our blog post:
Despite the dreary day, it was a beautiful drive.
Dry Camping at Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort allows dry camping in their parking lot for $10 per night. It’s a sloped parking lot and not an easy task getting level there. Be prepared with blocks and wood. But it is convenient to town and the resort.
Alyeska Aerial Tram
The tram to the top of the mountain is $30 per person. It’s a bit pricey but if you hike it the elevation gain is about 2000 ft. But, if you hike up you get a free ride down.
Once you get to the top there are a few hikes you can do. We hiked over to the glacier and checked it out.
Music in this video
Serious and Curious
VeganRV Merch
We’ve finally put up a little shop with VeganRV march! Check out our buttons, magnets, and stickers here:
This video was shot on an iPhone X ( with a Share MV88 mic ( and edited with iMovie.
Check out all the videos in our Alaska 2018 adventure here:
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Leaving Alaska Raceway Park
Leaving Alaska Raceway Park , heading down towards Anchorage, this crossing the Knik River.
Hiking Alaska ~ Reed Lakes Trail, Hatcher Pass ~ 4th of July 2009 PT 5 (last)
Hatcher Pass, Alaska. This trail is rated Moderate for hiking difficulty, and not suitable for dogs or children. I thought it was HARD, but well worth the time and effort of climbing it!!
Watching these wonderful summer videos got me all jazzed about planning more backpacking trips this summer to explore my beautiful state of Alaska. Just what I needed to boost that dreary winter blah! And I am thrilled to be able to share this beauty with all who stop by. Just remember that this video doesnt do the view justice. It was soooo breath takingly beautiful.
In this segment, it is the next day after camping and everyone but me wants to dive into the icy glacial waters of Lower Reed Lake. What a hoot these guys had!!