From the very first time we welcomed guests to stay overnight in ‘The Nellie’ on Grant Lake, we realized that we just had to get people out here for longer stays. 

There’s something pretty special about hiking to a wilderness location, then realizing this is your basecamp, your own little piece of paradise for the next two nights. It doesn’t take long to settle into the peaceful rhythm of nature while taking in the stunning views of deep blue Grant Lake and listening to a loon in the distance. 

Whether you are well seasoned in the outdoors or never kayaked or stayed in a yurt before, this 3 day, 2 night tour is one of the best ways to feel truly immersed in what Alaska has to offer.

Day 1: Like all of our adventures up to Grant Lake, we begin with a paddle across Trail Lake in Historic Moose Pass. Our guides bring this small Alaskan town’s history to life. The stories of locals like Alaska Nellie, the ghost of sawmill Al and the famed Iditarod Trail provide plenty to ponder as you paddle along the shores of Trail Lake.  After a mile paddle south, we’ll glide to a stop, stashing our kayaks, for a 1 mile hike. We walk along a section of the Iditarod National Historic Trail as we head up and over the ridge to the stunning, blue waters of remote Grant Lake. While our hike is moderately rated in regard to the terrain, there’s no denying we’re in wild Alaska along this route due to the rapid growth of the vegetation in the spring and summer along the trail.  We’ll soon arrive at your accommodation, an Alaskan handmade, Mongolian style yurt, which is situated just a short walk from the banks of gorgeous, glacially carved, Grant Lake. The feelings while staring out across Grant Lake are hard to describe and the views are breathtaking.

If you’re up for some more paddling, you’ll have more time to explore this stunning lake by kayak. After a paddle, while you’re getting cozy and settling into your surroundings for the night, we’ll prepare a frontier style dinner before turning in for the night, to drift off to dream in the land of the Midnight Sun.

Day 2: Wake to the smell of campfire coffee and the peaceful sounds of the Alaska wilderness. We’ll cook up a tasty breakfast and spend a relaxing morning talking about our plan for the day. A kayak exploration on Grant Lake is usually the plan of action for day 2 and we’ll make the most of it. With abundant points of interest to explore and plenty of wildlife spotting potential, we’ll get geared up, pack the lunches and snacks in the kayaks and embark on our adventure.

Lunch will be provided during your exploration before turning back toward the comforts of the yurts to share the stories of the day around the campfire over dinner in the evening.

Day 3: In the morning, waking up once more to the iconic sound of the Varied Thrush, or other migratory birds of the area, we’ll have a warm breakfast and hot coffee or tea before packing up for our journey back to Moose Pass.