Seeking some feedback on an Anchorage Alaska trip I am planning with a friend. For reference, we are early/mid 40s and typically do 12-16 mile days backpacking in Sierras/Wind River Range with an occasional 20 plus mile day.
Flying into Anchorage arriving Sunday evening August 30. Then I have Monday through Friday to go to Denali National Park for bike packing, Denali State Park for Kesugi Ridge backpacking, plus day hikes by Reeds Lake / Hatcher Pass. Then we have an event in Anchorage all day Saturday. Weather permitting, on Sunday we hope to do the Penguin Ridge Traverse (start by 6:00AM). If the weather is not good, there are a couple other ~20 mile day hikes in the Chugach mountains such as Crow’s Pass or Long/ Williwaw Lakes Loop. Monday we plan on doing a shorter hike at the Harding ice field and flying out of Anchorage that evening.
In terms of bike packing in Denali, we would do a minimum two full days. Taking the bus to mile 43 and biking about 30 miles each day/way (about 5 miles past Eielson Visitor Center). I understand there currently is a 2-3 hour hike-a-bike section between the bridge closure and getting back on the road, however, I also heard the bridge might open up any day to foot/bike traffic. Looking forward to the solitude on the road without passing busses. I am told the view from past Eielson until Wonder Lake is not really different so I am not missing much if I skip going much further than Eielson (at the cost of doing other things in Alaska – my first time). Seeking feedback if two days is too short and/or any feedback/suggestions including a short side hike (though I am fine just staying on the road and camping within 0.5 mile of it).
For Kesugi Ridge, either we will do a 17.5 day hike from Little Coal Creek to Ermine Hill Trailheads or a two-day 29 mile backpack from Little Coal Creek to Byers Lake. Is there anything special about the section of trail between Ermine/ Byers that is worth tacking on a 2nd day? I heard the Little Coal Creek to Ermine section is a bit nicer so if I only do one day at Kesugi that is the better section. I am also told North to South direction is better.
By Hatcher Pass, we would do the couple easy lakes/trails close to parking lot (Hatch Peak / Summit Lake and perhaps Gold Cord Lake) as well as the 9 mile back and out Reeds Lake Trail.
With those 5 days, should I amend anything I planned? Like spend 3 days bikepacking, 2 days Kesugi, and skip Hatcher Pass? Or spend more time bikepacking, 1 day Kesugi, and include Hatcher Pass?
Thank you for any feedback!
