Alaska Adventure 2025

July 23 - 28, 2025

Trip Details

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure tailored to your interests! This six-day trip offers participants the choice between two exciting activity tracks: packrafting or hiking. Whether paddling through pristine glacial waters or trekking along rugged alpine trails, you’ll experience the breathtaking beauty and tranquility of Alaska’s wilderness.

Your base for the trip will be the cozy Manitoba Yurts, nestled in the heart of the Kenai Mountains. Enjoy the camaraderie of group dinners, evenings by the fire, and opportunities to relax in a wood-burning sauna. The packrafting track includes expert instruction and guided paddles through serene lakes and rivers, with opportunities to explore among icebergs. Meanwhile, the hiking track features guided treks to some of Alaska’s most scenic trails, offering stunning views and unforgettable moments in nature.

This adventure is designed for all experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Choose your focus, pack your sense of adventure, and join us for an incredible journey into Alaska’s wild and beautiful landscapes!

Dates: July 23 - 28, 2025

Cost: $1,980

Base Location: Kenai Peninsula

Difficulty Level: 4 out of 5

Trip Leaders

Justin Yoder | He/Him

Justin Yoder is the founder and Executive Director of LGBT+ Outdoors, where he combines his passion for nature with his mission to connect the LGBTQ+ community to the great outdoors. His love for the natural world was sparked at a young age and has only grown stronger over time. Some of Justin’s favorite outdoor activities include camping, fishing, archery, and kayaking, all of which reflect his deep appreciation for the beauty and adventure the outdoors offers. Alongside his love for nature, Justin is passionate about advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and is dedicated to introducing queer individuals to new outdoor activities, fostering both connection and empowerment. His commitment to building community and embracing adventure is at the heart of everything he does with LGBT+ Outdoors.

Email: justin@LGBTOutdoors.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Patrick Thompson | He/Him

Patrick Thompson serves as the Creative Director for LGBT+ Outdoors, combining his passion for creativity and the outdoors to help foster a welcoming and inclusive community. His love for nature began with family rafting trips in Texas, and it has since grown into a lifelong appreciation for outdoor adventures and travel. Patrick and his husband, Justin Yoder, share a love for exploring new places and creating unforgettable experiences together.

Patrick finds immense joy in seeing people discover the outdoors and building connections in meaningful spaces beyond traditional venues like bars. Through his role, he is dedicated to creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals to embrace nature, forge new friendships, and find a sense of belonging in the great outdoors.

Email: patrick@lgbtoutdoors.com

Justin Bickley | He/Him

In 2022, Justin Bickley discovered packrafting in Alaska, an experience that ignited a deep passion for the sport and the wilderness. This love for the outdoors led him to leave his teaching career behind and pursue a path with the Alaska Packraft School. There, he found his calling as a guide, instructor, and the executive sidekick, leading others through the stunning Alaskan landscapes while sharing the thrill of packrafting.

What began as a personal adventure soon became the foundation of a new career. Justin is deeply grateful for the opportunity to merge his two passions—packrafting and supporting the LGBT+ community—through his work with LGBT+ Outdoors. He is committed to fostering inclusive outdoor spaces and ensuring that all, especially those from the LGBT+ community, have access to the transformative experiences nature offers. His journey reflects a passion for exploration, education, and inclusivity in the outdoors.

Email: jkb.bickley@gmail.com

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 | Wednesday, July 23 Arrival and Orientation

  • Arrive in Anchorage and meet the group. Transfer to the Manitoba Yurts, nestled in the rugged Kenai Mountains

  • Settle into the cozy yurts, surrounded by alpine scenery and tranquil spruce forests

  • Enjoy a group dinner, followed by a fireside evening to discuss the upcoming adventures and build connections

Day 2 | Thursday, July 24 Group Activities – Packrafters and Hikers

Packrafting Group

  • Begin the day with an Introduction to Packrafting at the Manitoba Yurts property, focusing on reading water features in Canyon Creek, a fast-flowing mountain stream

  • Practice essential packrafting techniques at a nearby lake, including re-entry skills and paddle strokes

  • In the afternoon, paddle along Portage Creek, a serene waterway with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and forests

  • Return to the yurts for a debrief, group dinner, and optional relaxation in the wood-burning sauna or by the fire

Hiking Group

  • Travel to Hope, a charming gold rush-era town overlooking Turnagain Arm. Choose between two iconic hikes:

    • Hope Point Trail: A challenging ascent offering panoramic views of Turnagain Arm, the Chugach Mountains, and Resurrection Peninsula

    • Gull Rock Trail: A gentler, scenic route along the coast with views of Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet

  • Explore the historic buildings and unique character of Hope

  • Return to the yurts for a debrief, group dinner, and optional evening activities

Day 3 | Friday, July 25 Group Activities – Packrafters and Hikers

Packrafting Group

  • Embark on a river adventure tailored to current water levels and conditions, with options including the Kenai River’s glacial blue waters or Sixmile Creek’s thrilling rapids

  • Enjoy an evening hike around the Manitoba Yurts property, taking in the stunning mountain views

  • End the day with a group dinner

Hiking Group

  • Hike the Hidden Creek Trail, a scenic route through lush forests to Skilak Lake, one of the Kenai Peninsula’s most pristine and expansive lakes

  • Have a picnic lunch on the sandy delta where Hidden Creek meets the Kenai River—a serene spot for wildlife watching and reflection

Day 4 | Saturday, July 26 Combined Group Adventure – Resurrection Bay

  • Travel to Seward, a picturesque harbor town surrounded by fjords and glaciers. Take a water taxi across Resurrection Bay to access a remote hiking trail

  • Spend the day exploring the rugged coastline, with opportunities to see wildlife such as sea otters, puffins, and bald eagles

  • Enjoy lunch on a secluded beach with views of the bay and surrounding mountains

  • Return to Seward for free time to explore the town’s shops, fishing docks, and rich history before a group dinner

Day 5 | Sunday, July 27 Combined Group Adventure – Portage Glacier and Emerald Cove

  • Drive to Whittier via the scenic Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America

  • Hike the Portage Pass Trail, a short but rewarding trail with panoramic views of Portage Glacier and its floating icebergs

  • Take turns packrafting among the icebergs for an unforgettable, up-close experience

  • Visit Emerald Cove, renowned for its turquoise waters and vibrant tide pools. Explore the intertidal zone and enjoy lunch surrounded by stunning coastal scenery

  • Return to the Manitoba Yurts for a celebratory closing dinner and final evening by the fire

Day 6 | Monday, July 28 Departure

  • Pack up and drive back to Anchorage

  • Spend the day exploring the city’s highlights, such as the Anchorage Museum, Kincaid Park, or local markets, before departing

  • Share final reflections and goodbyes before heading to the airport

Note:
This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions, park regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • Our trips are designed specifically for members of the LGBTQ+ community who are 18 years old and older, including bisexual individuals with straight partners, straight transgender individuals, and the straight partners of transgender people. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone within our broader community

  • Manitoba Cabin and Yurts, where we’ll be staying on our trip, offer a unique lodging experience blending history and nature in the Kenai Mountains. Perched atop Canyon Creek Gorge, the cabin is steeped in Gold Rush roots and surrounded by stunning trails and outdoor adventure. Guests stay in cozy yurts while sharing communal cooking, dining, and social spaces. Operated by the non-profit Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association, the cabin fosters camaraderie and wilderness exploration. Amenities include sleeping space for 24, a wood stove, propane cook stove, cooking utensils, solar-powered lighting, and tent-style showers with a handheld shower pump. Yurts feature bunks and wood stoves, and there is a wood-fired sauna, pit toilets, and a campfire ring perfect for evening gatherings. Water must be carried from Canyon Creek and filtered. This location promises a memorable experience as we embrace the charm of old-time Alaska, just a half-mile from the Seward Highway. We have the whole location just for LGBT+ Outdoors.

  • Not at all! Our trips are designed to welcome adventurers of all experience levels, whether it’s your first time exploring the outdoors or you’re a seasoned pro.

    To make hiking even more enjoyable, consider practicing on a treadmill with an incline—this can help prepare you and make the experience smoother and more fun!

  • The price includes pick-up and drop-off at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, accommodations, meals (starting with dinner the first night and breakfast the last day), guided activities, gear rentals, and park entry fees. Please note that travel to and from Alaska is not included.

  • A detailed packing list is provided, and all necessary packrafting gear is supplied. Ideally, you'll want to pack your belongings in a large hiking backpack and bring only minimal camping essentials and attire.

  • Meals are provided during the trip and can be customized to accommodate dietary needs. Please let us know your requirements in advance. You are welcome to provide and prepare your own meals; however, that is definitely not necessary.

  • Absolutely! Many participants join without knowing anyone else on the trip. Our trips foster a sense of community and connection, making it easy to form friendships.

  • The trip deposit is nonrefundable, but it can be applied to another Adventure Trip for the same year or following year. Other payment/s can be fully refunded up to 30 days before the trip start date. Within 30 days, 75% of your payment/s can be refunded. At any point you can transfer your deposit and payment/s to another attendee.

  • Yes. All trips require a $250 nonrefundable deposit to secure your spot on the trip. Depending on the amount of the trip determines the amount of payments allowed. When you pay for the trip you will have three options:

    1. Pay for the trip in full

    2. Pay the deposit and the balance later

    3. Pay the deposit and make payments allowed in payment form

  • Unfortunately, by the time the trip is happening expenses have been paid for and can not be refunded. Additionally, you are responsible for any additional costs such as, but not limited to flight changes or transportation to the airport.

  • Yes! Your trip leaders provide a detailed packing list!