Sea kayaking & hiking in Icy Bay

The stunning St. Elias Mountains, highest coastal range in the world, dominate the coastline of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park—the largest national park in the United States—and form the backdrop for our most remote sea kayaking and hiking expedition. From the rustic village of Yakutat, bush planes treat you to an aerial view of the enormous Malaspina Glacier, a mass of slowly moving ice larger than the state of Rhode Island, on the way to the pristine shores of Icy Bay, an area of startling superlatives.

On leisurely kayak paddles through fjords of floating ice and enjoyable hikes to great vistas, you’ll feast your eyes on inspiring scenes in one of Alaska’s most spectacular settings and premier wilderness areas, as well as an increasing variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife. The nature of Icy Bay offers both easy and challenging hikes and paddling to accommodate a range of activity. Join the original Alaska Discovery company on this journey, and be sure to bring along an adventurous spirit and an explorer’s curiosity!

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Activities

6 days easy to moderate sea kayaking and hiking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak and hike in Icy Bay, in the environs of the St. Elias Mountains, the highest coastal mountain range in the world
• Spectacular flight over the huge Malaspina Glacier under the shadow of the massive St. Elias Range
• Dramatic scenery of fjords, changing glaciers, and soaring peaks in one of Alaska's premier wilderness areas

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Yakutat End Location: Yakutat

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Yakutat

  Meet in Yakutat, Alaska. Arrive by 6:00pm.  Pre-trip meeting and lodging at Glacier Bear Lodge.

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  Day 2 : Icy Bay

  Incredible bush plane flight over Yakutat Bay and the Malaspina Glacier to Icy Bay. Unload and assemble the folding kayaks and have an introductory kayak lesson.

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  Days 3 - 4 : Kayak, Hike, and Camp in Remote Icy Bay

  Kayak, hike, and camp in remote Icy Bay in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, often referred to as the "mountain kingdom of North America." Nature and our own desires dictate the itinerary. Most days you'll be kayaking, moving from one extraordinary camp to another and drifting among the icebergs watching birds, seals, porpoises, and the unending jaw-dropping scenery. You'll stay at some camps for two nights to allow for all-day hikes into the hills and valleys above the fjords, where you may spot bears, mountain goats, moose, wolves, and coyotes.

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  Days 5 - 7 : The Glaciers of Icy Bay

  The whole of Icy Bay was covered by a glacier in the last 150 years!  Now the ice has receeded leaving a raw, newly emerged landscape.  We travel up the fjords to the glaciers and we can hear them cracking and groaning as they move slowly over the mountains below them.  We watch the ice fall into the ocean, sometimes off the face of the glacier and sometimes tumbling down over the side of the cliffs.

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  Day 8 : Return to Yakutat and depart

  Break down kayaks and board bush planes for an awesomely scenic return flight to Yakutat. Depart Yakutat.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Ken Leghorn

  Ken Leghorn has been guiding wilderness trips in Alaska since graduating from college with a degree in biology in 1978 and moving to Juneau. He was the manager/co-owner of Alaska Discovery until selling the company to Mountain Travel Sobek in 2000. Ken helped launch the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association and formed a local non-profit, Discovery Southeast, now in its 21st year of providing nature education to youth. Ken was chair of the statewide Alaska Conservation Foundation, became the founding executive director of the Juneau Community Foundation, and now serves on the board of Audubon Alaska.

• Jeff Sloss

  Jeff Sloss, Alaska Discovery Kayak, Canoe, & River Guide: Jeff has been a lead guide for Alaska Discovery for over 20 years. He has helped set the high standards of quality and commitment that makes us a great company. Whenever we think of exploring a new area we turn to Jeff to make it happen. In the winter, Jeff teaches skiing and snowboarding in Juneau, works on film projects, and helps raise his two daughters. Jeff is an active conservationist and has lobbied Congress to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Jeff carries a deep love for Alaska onto all of his trips. Jeff writes, "Among the high points of this career are experiencing some of the world's finest places, and meeting new people as well as enjoying the company of returning guests that share an appreciation of this Great Land."

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