KENAI
PENINSULA

Chugach National Forest, Alaska · 7 days · ~64 miles · Proposed: Jul 19–25, 2027

Duration
7 Days · 6 Nights
Distance
~64 Miles
Elevation Gain
~4,500 ft (cumulative)
High Point
Resurrection Pass · 2,600 ft
Dates
Jul 19–25, 2027 (proposed)
Permit
None required — cabins bookable via Recreation.gov
View Map ↗

Day 1: Arrive Anchorage, Drive to Hope

~2 mi walking · Easy
Arrive Anchorage (ANC)
Drive Anchorage → Hope (~2.5 hr)
Lodging Campground, Hope

Fly into Anchorage, pick up the rental vans, and drive down along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm to the small historic gold-rush town of Hope — trailhead for the Resurrection Pass Trail. Stage the shuttle vehicle at the far end (Russian River trailhead, Cooper Landing) on the way down or the following morning. Gear check, bear canister packing, and an early night before the first trail day.

🚐
Shuttle: This is a point-to-point trek — stage a second vehicle at the Russian River trailhead near Cooper Landing, or book a local shuttle service in advance.
🐻
Bear country: Confirm everyone has EPA-approved bear spray accessible (not buried in a pack) and review food-storage protocol tonight.
☀️
Daylight: Late July in south-central Alaska has ~18–19 hours of daylight — plenty of margin on long trail days.
Elevation
~200 ft, minimal change
Terrain
Town streets · trailhead camp
Highlight
Turnagain Arm drive

Day 2: Hope Trailhead to East Creek

~13 mi · +1,300 ft
Start Resurrection Pass Trail, Hope TH
Terrain Spruce-birch forest, creek crossings
Camp East Creek · designated site

Longest single day of the trip, but a gentle grade — the north end of Resurrection Pass Trail climbs gradually through dense boreal forest along Resurrection Creek, an old mining district with occasional relic equipment visible off-trail. Multiple stream crossings; expect wet feet at least once. Well-maintained USFS trail the entire way, easy to follow.

🥾
Pace: Big mileage day to bank distance early while legs are fresh — start early, plan a long lunch break.
💧
Crossings: Several unbridged creek crossings — trekking poles and camp shoes for fords recommended.
⛏️
History: This valley was worked during the 1890s Resurrection Creek gold rush — old tailings and equipment visible in places.
Elevation Range
200 → 1,500 ft
Terrain
Boreal forest · creek valley
Camp
East Creek, bear locker

Day 3: East Creek Over Resurrection Pass to Caribou Creek

~13 mi · +1,100 ft / -1,200 ft
Climb to Resurrection Pass · 2,600 ft
Terrain Open alpine tundra, above treeline
Camp Caribou Creek · designated site

The signature day. Break out of the trees into wide-open alpine tundra as the trail climbs to Resurrection Pass, the high point of the whole route at 2,600 ft — low by Lower-48 standards, but well above treeline this far north, with sweeping views across the Chugach range and a real shot at spotting Dall sheep or caribou. Long, rolling ridge walk before the trail descends toward Caribou Creek.

🏔️
Weather: Fully exposed on the pass — wind and sudden rain/fog common even in July. Have shells ready, don't linger if weather turns.
🐐
Wildlife: Prime Dall sheep and caribou viewing terrain along the ridge — binoculars worth the weight.
🐻
Bears: Open tundra means good visibility, but stay loud and alert through brushy sections on the descent.
High Point
Resurrection Pass · 2,600 ft
Elevation Range
1,500 → 2,600 → 1,400 ft
Terrain
Alpine tundra ridge

Day 4: Caribou Creek to Devil's Pass / Sterling Highway

~12 mi · Mostly descent
Route South end of Resurrection Pass Trail
Pass Juneau Lake, Swan Lake area
Exit Resurrection Pass South TH, Sterling Hwy

Closes out the 38-mile Resurrection Pass Trail, passing several backcountry lakes (Juneau Lake, Swan Lake) with public-use cabins available if the troop books them instead of tent camping this stretch. Trail exits at the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing. Short van transfer to the Russian River trailhead to start the second half of the route.

🛖
Cabins: Juneau Lake, Swan Lake, and Trout Lake cabins sit right on this stretch — reservable via Recreation.gov, a good option to dry out gear mid-trip.
🚐
Transition: Short drive from the Res Pass south trailhead to the Russian River trailhead — the two trail systems don't physically connect, so this leg uses the road link.
🎣
Fishing: Lake trout and grayling in Juneau/Swan Lake for anyone who packed a rod.
Elevation Range
1,400 → 600 ft
Terrain
Lakeside forest trail
Highlight
Swan Lake, Juneau Lake

Day 5: Russian River Trailhead to Aspen Flats

~11 mi · +800 ft
Start Russian Lakes Trail, Russian River TH
Pass Russian River Falls overlook
Camp Aspen Flats · designated site

Second half of the route starts here. Trail follows the Russian River past its namesake falls — a major sockeye salmon run passes through here in July, drawing bears to fish, so extra noise discipline and food security matter on this stretch. Gradual climb through mixed forest toward the lower Russian Lake basin.

🐟
Salmon run: Late July is peak sockeye season on the Russian River — high bear activity near the falls. Hike in a tight group, make noise at blind corners.
🐻
Bear density: This is the highest bear-traffic stretch of the whole trip because of the salmon — bear spray in hand, not in a pack, through this section.
📸
Falls overlook: Short spur trail to a viewing platform above Russian River Falls — worth the stop, salmon visibly jumping the falls in season.
Elevation Range
450 → 1,250 ft
Terrain
River valley · mixed forest
Highlight
Russian River Falls

Day 6: Aspen Flats to Upper Russian Lake & Out

~10 mi · Rolling, lakeside
Pass Lower Russian Lake, Upper Russian Lake
Terrain Glacier-fed lake shoreline
Exit Cooper Lake / Snug Harbor TH

The payoff stretch of the Russian Lakes Trail — the route runs right along the shoreline of two striking turquoise, glacier-fed lakes framed by the Kenai Mountains, a total change of scenery from the salmon-run forest of Day 5. Public-use cabins sit on both lakes if the troop wants a dry final night. Exits at the Cooper Lake/Snug Harbor trailhead, where the staged shuttle vehicle is waiting.

🏔️
Scenery: Widely considered the most scenic stretch of the whole route — glacier-blue water, steep peaks rising straight from the shoreline.
🛖
Cabins: Upper and Lower Russian Lake cabins are both bookable via Recreation.gov — reserve early, they fill fast for July.
🚐
Shuttle pickup: Confirm the staged vehicle (or booked shuttle) is at the Snug Harbor trailhead for this exit — different trailhead from where the group started.
Elevation Range
1,250 → 900 ft
Terrain
Lakeshore trail
Highlight
Upper Russian Lake

Day 7: Cooper Landing & Depart

~3 mi walking · Easy, half day
Morning Gear dry-out, Cooper Landing
Drive Cooper Landing → Anchorage (~2.5 hr)
Depart Anchorage (ANC), evening flight

Light final morning — dry out tents and sleeping bags, easy walk along the Kenai River in Cooper Landing, maybe a stop for fresh salmon before the drive back. Scenic return along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm, watching for beluga whales at high tide, into Anchorage for the evening flight home.

🐋
Turnagain Arm: Beluga whales are sometimes visible from highway pullouts on an incoming tide — worth a scan on the drive back.
🎒
Gear return: Return any rented bear canisters/spray at an Anchorage outfitter before heading to the airport.
✈️
Flight buffer: Build in extra drive-time margin — this is also a popular stretch for RV traffic in July.
Terrain
River walk · highway drive
Elevation
~500 ft, minimal change
Finish
Depart Anchorage

Essential Trip Info

Permits & Regulations

📝
No backcountry permit required: Unlike Denali or the Chilkoot Trail, Resurrection Pass and Russian Lakes have no quota/lottery system — the trails and designated campsites are open access. Public-use cabins, if booked, require reservations via Recreation.gov and fill up fast for July.
🐻
Bear country (required gear): Dense brown and black bear population, especially near Russian River during the July salmon run. EPA-approved bear spray per person/pair, plus a bear-resistant food canister or proper hang at every camp — designated sites have bear-proof lockers.
🚐
Shuttle required: Point-to-point route, Hope to Cooper Landing/Snug Harbor — stage a second vehicle or book a shuttle service (e.g. Seward Bus Line, local outfitters) well ahead of the trip.
💧
Water: Treat/filter all stream and lake water. Numerous creek crossings, some unbridged — trekking poles and a spare pair of camp shoes recommended.
🦟
Bugs: Mosquitoes are heavy through the forested valley sections in July — headnets and DEET strongly recommended.
🌦️
Weather: Late June through early September is the recommended window — by late July, high-pass snow has melted out and stream levels are manageable. Expect cool nights (40s°F) even mid-summer, and rain gear every day regardless of forecast.
📅
Why Jul 19–25, 2027: Late July sits in the middle of the recommended snow-free window, well clear of any lingering high-pass snowpack, and lands during the Russian River sockeye salmon run — a highlight for wildlife viewing, with the added caution of higher bear traffic near the falls that Day 5's plan accounts for.

Budget Planning

Cost Estimate (Per Person)

Rough 2027 planning numbers — domestic trip but remote logistics; prices swing with group size and how far ahead flights/shuttles are booked.

✈️ Round-trip flight, SFO ↔ Anchorage (sample fare Jul 19–25) ~$480
🚐 Rental van (split across group, 7 days) + fuel $120 – $180
🚌 One-way shuttle service, Snug Harbor → Hope (if not self-staging a car) $0 – $60
🛖 Public-use cabin nights (optional, 1–2 nights, split per cabin) $20 – $40
🏕️ Campground night, Hope (Day 1) $10 – $20
🐻 Bear spray + canister rental (if not owned) $30 – $50
🍲 Backcountry food, 6 days on trail $90 – $130
🩺 Travel insurance (incl. medical/evac) $45 – $90
🚕 Airport transfers, incidentals $30 – $60
Estimated Total Per Scout $850 – $1,150

Excludes: personal spending money, souvenirs, and any troop fundraising offsets. Adult leaders should budget similarly. Notably cheaper than the international trips this year — domestic flight, no wilderness permit fees, and gear (tents, bear canisters, cooking) is mostly troop-owned rather than rented from an outfitter.

Contact & Info

Chugach National Forest — Seward Ranger District

Phone: +1 (907) 288-3178
Website: fs.usda.gov/chugach
Note: Confirm trail/cabin conditions, current bear activity reports, and any advisories with the ranger district directly in the weeks before departure.