Denali Dream Mush
Mix winter camping with luxurious lodge accommodations on this 6 day, all-inclusive, non-technical trip along one of America’s most remote and beautiful thoroughfares—the Denali Highway.
Connecting Denali National Park with the wilderness of the Wrangell St. Elias Mountains, the Denali Highway is closed in winter, snowed in and abandoned to all but the hardiest of winter travelers -- dogs! The route parallels the majestic Alaska Range — home to North America’s largest mountain, Denali, and its formidable sister peaks, Mt. Deborah and Mt. Hayes. In the afternoon, winter alpenglow turns the mountains into pearly pink glowing gems — a sight to remember. Wildlife is abundant on this trip — moose, fox, caribou, and ptarmigan are most often spotted. Wolf packs range freely. Follow their tracks on a trip that takes us across a mountain plateau where caribou dot the landscape and mountains dominate every horizon. This trip includes cold weather gear, transportation, accommodations, meals, and mushing lessons.
6 day Itinerary
Day 1: Meet & Greet
We will pick you up from your Fairbanks accommodations at 9 a.m. to take you to Arctic Dog Adventure Co., where you will meet your guides and your new teammates, the dogs. We will go over gear, have a brief mushing lesson, and pack our bags and the trucks for departure. Lunch will be provided in between preparations. In the late afternoon, we will load gear and dogs into the truck and drive to our starting point of Cantwell, AK. We will finish off the evening with a relaxing dinner together at Backwoods Lodge.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Shared accommodations
Milage: 5 miles.
Day 2: To The mountains
After dropping dogs in the morning, we will drive the short distance to the trailhead. We will unload our sleds, don our parkas, hook up our energetic dogs and be on the trail by noon. Our goal for the day is to mush from Cantwell to a secluded basecamp along the Brushkana River (25 miles). The trail follows the Nenana River, gradually climbing up through the tundra and spruce forest.
The trail is hilly, plunging down into tight creek canyons before climbing back out to sweeping tundra views of the river and the mountains. The Western Alaska Range peeks behind the front range, and the vast Susitna valley unfolds before us as we draw closer to Clearwater Mountain, perched at the top of the river. Moose are often spotted browsing the willows that line the roadbed. We follow big glacially formed eskers before dropping down to camp at the banks of the Brushkana River.
Our basecamp is comfortably equipped with a wood stove, cots, cold weather sleeping bags with outdoor restrooms provided by the campsite.
Meals: Breakfast at lodge, Picnic on trail, Dinner at camp
Accommodations: Winter ”glamping” at camp. Outhouses available.
Mileage: 22 miles
Day 3: Clearwater mountains
The Western Alaska Range peeks behind the front range, and the vast Susitna valley unfolds before us as we draw closer to Clearwater Mountain, perched at the top of the river. Today we mush from the Brushkana River to Clearwater Mountain Lodge (25 miles). The road hugs the base of the mountains, climbing through scrub brush, along eskers and through stunted alpine birch toward the lodge. Located smack dab in the middle of the Alaska Range, the restored historic lodge is beautiful and cozy, with stunning views of Clearwater Mountain and delicious home-cooked meals. Clearwater Lodge is a family run full-service lodge with hot showers and comfortable beds. We are always spoiled when we stay here! Often, if the night is clear, northern lights dance above the mountains to the north. Clearwater offers a self serve hot drink station for those up late watching for the lights.
Meals: Breakfast at camp, lunch on the trail, dinner at the lodge
Accommodations: Shared room at Mountain Lodge (Private Room Upgrade available)
Milage: 25 miles.
Day 4: Rest Day
Today is a day for the dogs and ourselves to rest. If we are lucky, lodge owner Colleen will have fresh baked scones for us. Soak up the views with a hot cup of coffee by the large sitting room windows. Snuggle up by the fire with a book in the lodge’s living room. Don your boots and parka to visit with the sled dogs or stretch your legs with a stroll around the property. Use the lodge’s internet to update friends and family on your journey. The day is yours to enjoy. Meals are taken family style in the dining room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at Lodge
Accommodations: Shared Room at Lodge (Private Room Upgrade available)
Milage: 0
Day 5: Big Views
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and coffee in front of the woodstove before heading outside to hook the dogs up for the return journey to Brushkana River. Soak in your last glimpse of the beautiful upper plateau, but no worries, the return trail is also rich in big mountain views!
The trail sweeps out over the confluence of the Susitna & Nenana Rivers, peering down the Nenana River valley toward Denali National Park. The cut that is the road sneaks along the hillside in the far distance, almost impossible to spot in the midst of the wilderness. We will pass through forest and tundra, our eyes scanning the mountains and surrounding alpine for wildlife. Hold tight to your handlebars — the dogs often surge forward when they catch the scent of ptarmigan, which nestle in abundance along the trail.
We will arrive at camp in the evening, get the woodstove fired up and enjoy one last night out in the Alaskan wilderness.
Meals: Breakfast at Lodge. Lunch on the trail. Dinner at camp.
Accommodations: Shared accommodations at base camp.
Mileage: 25
Day 6: Sunset on the trail
Early morning breakfast at camp. Watch the sun rise behind the mountains as we hook up the dogs for our final run along the Denali Highway. We will have one last outdoor lunch, reflecting on the past few days with the dogs in this incredible region.
Depending on trail conditions and our pace, the return trail may be framed by mountains lit in neon pink alpenglow, arriving to the trailhead in the glow of a Denali sunset. We will sort gear at the trailhead, swing by the Cantwell Lodge for take out, then drive back to Fairbanks to deliver you to your evening accommodations. If we are lucky, shimmering aurora will wave over the northern horizon on our journey back to Fairbanks.
Meals: Breakfast at camp. Lunch on the trail. Dinner at Cantwell Lodge
Accommodations: You will need to arrange your own accommodations for this night
Mileage: 22
Arctic Accommodations
Your accommodations for the second and last evening of the trip is an Alaskan tent called an Arctic Oven. The Arctic Oven is heated by a small stove, lit with twinkle lights, and has ample room for gear and leg stretching. You can even stand up inside! This is Alaskan "glamping" -- a truly comfortable warm winter camping experience. Cots and insulated sleeping bags are provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Denali Highway
All-Inclusive
$5999/Person
INCLUDED
Pricing is all-inclusive. This means it includes travel to and from your hotel to Arctic Dog Adventure Co., meals, snacks, sleeping bags, pads, cold weather gear + accommodations.
✔ Dog mushing lessons
✔ Drive your own dog team
✔ Parka, snow pants, boots, mittens
✔ Cold-weather sleeping bags and pads
✔ Hotel/airport pickup and drop off
✔ Alaskan-inspired meals and snacks
✔ Basic photography instruction
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
We can cater for some food allergies or vegetarians/vegans if you specify your dietary requirements on your Trip Registration Form.
NOT INCLUDED
Flights: You will need to book flights, details will be provided after you register.
Pre and Post Trip Hotel in Fairbanks
Insurance: You MUST have travel insurance. Instructions will be provided after you register.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not included in the price.
HOW TO BOOK
Simply click the SIGN-UP BUTTON in the footer below and register for the tour you will then be prompted to pay your $999 deposit which will guarantee your spot on the trip.
Your Balance Due must be paid 60 days prior to departure or your deposit will be forfeit.
Availability
2023 Dates
Terms & Conditions
See full terms and conditions here.