DEPARTURE TIMES
SUMMER: May 23 – September 16 Departs: 3pm from TRAMWAY CIRCLE and Returns: 6pm
FALL: October 1 – November 15 Departs: 10am from MAIN LOBBY and Returns: 1pm
SPRING: March 15 – April 30 Departs: 10am from MAIN LOBBY and Returns: 1pm
MILEAGE
5 miles or less round trip. Elevation gain: 160 ft
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
This is an easy to moderate activity; no experience is necessary.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Ages: 7-70.
- This trip is great for families, groups and solo travelers
- Trips operate in all weather conditions
- Trip min: 2-4 people. Max: 80 people
- Max Ratio: 10 guests to 1 guide
- Custom departure times and private buyouts are available
- Advanced reservations of at least 1 month are recommended
- All guests are required to fill out our online Adventure Application and Waiver in advance.
- Availability is limited so book your trip today!
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND GEAR TO BRING
Wear comfortable warm synthetic clothes dressing in layers (long sleeved shirt, long pants, fleece jacket, rain jacket, rain pants, gloves, wool/fleece hat, sunglasses, ball cap) hiking boots or sneakers. Bring a backpack, camera and binoculars. For specific advice on what to wear, read our Be Prepared Document.
EXCLUSIONS
Gratuities for your awesome guide!
WHERE TRIPS MEET
Trips start and finish at The Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska.
SUMMER (May 23 – September 16)
Departs: from the TRAMWAY CIRCLE on the 2nd floor of The Hotel Alyeska
SPRING/FALL (October 1 – November 15, March 15 – April 30)
Departs: from the MAIN LOBBY on the 1st floor of The Hotel Alyeska
THE HOTEL ALYESKA: 1000 ARLBERG AVE
RAINFOREST IN ALASKA?!
YUP. GIRDWOOD IS HOME TO NORTH AMERICAS NORTHERN-MOST TEMPERATE COASTAL RAINFOREST
While the glaciers collect over 1000″ of snow per winter, down in the valley floor we see Rufus Hummingbirds, mosses, ferns and hundreds of species of lichens. Do you know how a lichen is formed? “Freddy Fungus met Alice Algae- they took a lichen to each other- and got married. Ever since then, their relationship has been on the rocks….!”
GIRDWOOD, ALASKA
Girdwood is a small ski town in winter and a mecca for adventure and nature loving tourists to Alaska in the summer. It is home to the Alyeska Ski Resort and hotel, which has the longest double black diamond ski runs in North America. The northern most latitude of North America’s Temperate Coastal Rainforest stops in Girdwood. Songbirds and rufous hummingbirds migrate worldwide to mate and fledge their young in the abundant Hemlock and Sitka Spruce forests of Girdwood. In Fall, blueberries, salmonberries, wild raspberries and numerous species of mushrooms can be found valley wide. The Alyeska Hotel hosts the Fiddlehead Fern festival, Blueberry Festival and Fungus Fair among other festivals and musicians every summer. Annually, Fourth of July weekend, brings the decades old Forest Fair. It’s is a 3 day festival that hosts musicians, yummy food, and local artists with handmade art, crafts, clothing, jewelry and pottery. The kiddos have their own art booth where they can make art and crafts. Also, local Girdwood and Alaskan kids have the opportunity to have booths to sell their handmade treats and crafts. This is such a popular event that includes a parade and fun run. Girdwood was founded during the Gold Rush era of the late 1800’s. It was originally called Glacier City due to all the hanging glaciers you can see capping all the surrounding mountains. It is a glacier carved valley surrounded by mountains ranging in size from 4,000 – 7,000 feet. The mouth of the valley abuts the Turnagain Arm which leads to the Pacific Ocean. We can see Beluga Whales in the Turnagain Arm surfing the BoreTide. This town is truly picturesque. Salmon run up Glacier Creek in summer. As a result, you can see black and brown bears in town fishing or foraging for berries.
ALASKAN ADVENTURE TOWN
Hiking, Ice and Rock Climbing, Glacier Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Helicopter Tours, Mountain Biking, Camping, Gold Panning, Nature Photography, Birding, Berry Picking, Mushroom Foraging, Fishing, Paragliding, Rafting, Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching are all accessible activities in and near Girdwood.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK THIS SUPER POPULAR TRIP?
Due to high demand and limited space available we recommend reservations be made several months in advance. Bookings made 1 week in advance of departure date may be cancelled and fully refunded if we cannot accommodate.
IS IT WORTH IT?
Yes… Trips include naturalist hiking guides, max 10:1 ratio (hiker to guide) and interpretive natural history and ecology discussions. A snack and water is provided. Guests visiting the Rainforest come away with better respect and knowledge about the flora and fauna, temperate coastal mountain rainforest and the history of Girdwood, not to mention some great photographs!
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TRIP, PLEASE READ OUR ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ON OUR FAQ’S PAGE, EMAIL OR CALL US AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH YOU AND DETERMINE IF THIS TRIP MATCHES YOUR ABILITIES.
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