Choose Your Alaskan Adventure

Expert Guides
For Your Alaskan Wilderness Adventure

With years of training and experience, we’ll be sure you have the safest and most fulfilling experience possible. Choose from one of our many pre-arranged tours to remote locations, or, if you’re looking for something even more special, contact us today for a unique, custom trek that’s tailored to your experience level. At Caveman Arctic Adventures, we have just the rugged wilderness experience you’re craving.

Castner Glacier Day Hike

Duration: 2-4 hours
Price: $300 per person
2 people: $275
3-4 people-$250 each.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Seasons: November-April, Ice cave.
Seasons: May-October, summer hiking. No access into glacier.

Overview:
Begin your adventure at Milepost 218 on the Richardson Highway, just southeast of Fairbanks, and step into a landscape shaped by ice and time. This 2.5-mile round-trip hike is a mostly flat, scenic trek that follows the course of Castner Creek into the heart of Alaska’s eastern Alaska Range. As we wind through glacially carved terrain, we’ll cross braided streams, walk along ancient glacial moraines, and traverse open tundra ridgelines bursting with wildflowers in the summer months. Towering alpine views frame our approach to the Castner Glacier, offering a dramatic and rewarding backdrop for hikers and photographers alike. This guided experience blends natural beauty, geological insight, and accessible adventure—perfect for nature lovers

Includes:
• Trekking poles, ice cleats.
• Daypack (optional)
• Snacks and trail lunch• Interpretive talk on glacial processes, climate, and local history

What You Bring:
• Water (minimum 2L)
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Weather-appropriate layers and rain gear, this is a mountainous environment and weather can change and is tough to predict.

Castner Glacier Overnight Adventure

Overview:
For those seeking a deeper immersion into the Castner Glacier region, we offer a full-value Alaskan experience under the midnight sun/multi-day backpacking adventures that push farther into the heart of the Alaska Range. Beginning from the Castner Creek trailhead near Milepost 218 on the Richardson Highway, we’ll follow the glacier-fed creek upstream, winding through expansive alpine valleys, glacial moraines, and vibrant tundra meadows.

On longer overnight routes, we have the option to hike all the way into the remote Thayer Hut area—perched at approximately 4,800 feet above sea level near the upper reaches of Castner Glacier. This 7.8-mile one-way trek offers a gradual elevation gain of about 1800 feet from the glaciers terminus, making it a challenging yet achievable goal for strong hikers. Along the way, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of snow-covered peaks, icefalls, and the dynamic features of an actively flowing glacier.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a strong adventurer ready to challenge yourself, this trip delivers solitude, raw natural beauty, and the kind of experience that lingers long after the boots come off. This region also provides excellent opportunities for photography, glaciology interpretation, and wildlife sightings.

Includes:
• Stove, cookware, water filter
• Food and hot drinks. You also have the option of bringing your own backpacking food, or you can purchase Mountain House backpacking food from CAA.
• Trekking poles, ice cleats, and sleds for hauling gear (if needed)
• GPS and emergency satellite phone
• Natural history and glacier interpretation
• Bear spray for each guest

What You Bring:
• Backpack & sleeping system rated to 20°F or colder
• Waterproof boots
• Personal clothing and warm layers
• Tent (can be rented)

Bear Creek Alpine Day Hike

Overview:
Starting at the Bear Creek bridge along the Richardson Highway, this hike begins at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet and climbs steadily to a saddle at around 2,500 feet. Following a well-defined route, we ascend through rolling tundra, subalpine forest, and rocky cirques to reach sweeping ridgelines with commanding views of the glacier-carved valleys below.

This hike is a favorite for those looking to experience Alaska’s alpine beauty without venturing too far from the road system. Along the way, you’ll see wildflowers, rugged peaks, and possibly wildlife like caribou, ptarmigan, or golden eagles soaring overhead. Once at the saddle, the vast panorama of the Eastern Alaska Range opens up—a perfect reward for your climb and an ideal spot for photography or a scenic trail lunch.

While typically offered as a day hike, Bear Creek can easily become an overnight wilderness experience. Whether in summer’s long daylight or the stillness of winter, this route offers solitude, elevation, and a deep connection with the backcountry.

Includes:
• Daypack and trekking poles (optional)
• Interpretive stops focused on alpine ecology and geology
• Snacks and trail lunch

What You Bring:
• Sturdy footwear/good ankle support. At times we will make creek crossings.
• Layers and rain protection
• 2L water minimum

Miller Creek, Canwell Glacier Approach (Day or Overnight)

Duration: Day (3-6 hours) or Overnight (2–3 days)
Price: $300/day hike, discount for more than 1 person, – $500 overnight (2-day trip, or more if desired)
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Summer Season: May-October
Winter Season: November-April. Best to travel during winter months and ski or snowshoe due to the amount of snow in region.

Overview:
This adventure leads deep into remote backcountry along the rugged corridor of Miller Creek, offering solitude, sweeping alpine vistas, and access to multiple openings along the Canwell Glacier. Perfect for experienced hikers, this route travels through wild, seldom-visited terrain marked by rocky glacial till, tundra slopes, and moraine-lined paths.

As we follow Miller Creek upstream, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic—towering ridgelines, polished bedrock, and icy outwash channels frame the journey. The hike provides up-close access to the edge of the Canwell Glacier, where ice caves and crevasse fields occasionally reveal themselves in summer melt cycles. The dynamic terrain invites exploration, with many side routes into the glacier’s margin and surrounding alpine bowls.

This is a true off-trail adventure—ideal for hikers seeking raw wilderness, glacial geology, and the quiet intensity of Alaska’s eastern range. Offered as both a challenging day hike or as an overnight expedition for those wanting more time in this incredible landscape.

Includes:
• Safety gear, ice cleats when exploring ice caves and GPS
• Food and hot drinks. You also have the option of bringing your own backpacking food, or you can purchase Mountain House backpacking food from CAA.
• Interpretive glacier and landscape lessons
• Optional snow travel instruction

What You Bring:
• Overnight gear for backcountry camping (can provide checklist)
• Warm clothes, rain gear, reliable boots
• Personal food/snacks for day hike

Black Rapids Glacier Traverse (Float + Hike)

Duration: Long Day Hike (4-6 hrs) or 2–3 Day Expedition
Price: $300 Day Hike, discount for more than 1. $575 Overnight (2-day trip or more if desire)
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Summer Season: June–September
Winter Season: December-April (water and snowline dependent) For winter adventures into this region, the Delta river needs to be frozen enough to cross, allowing access to the glacier.

Highlights:
• Paddle across the Delta River — a unique trip start!
• Hike through glacial valleys, tundra, and rugged moraine
• Reach the face of Black Rapids Glacier, a dynamic icefront
• Spot wildlife like Dall sheep, caribou, and golden eagles
• Camp beneath alpenglow-lit peaks on multi-day trips

Overview:
This trip is an unforgettable journey into one of the wildest corridors of the Eastern Alaska Range. Starting with a paddle across the mighty Delta River, we shoulder our packs and head up the valley of Black Rapids Creek — following glacial meltwater upstream until we reach the massive terminus of Black Rapids Glacier. The 8-mile one-way route cuts deep into raw Alaskan wilderness, with rugged terrain, cascading waterfalls, and wide-open views of ice-covered peaks. This hike is for strong adventurers looking for a full-day challenge or a richly rewarding overnight backpacking adventure.

Includes:
• Packraft, paddle, and PFD for river crossing
• Trekking poles, ice cleats and GPS navigation
• Trail snacks and meals (for overnight trips)
• Glacier and alpine geology interpretation
• Satellite emergency communication
• Dry bags for river crossing

What You Bring:
• Backpack with water, layers, and food (for day hike)
• Full overnight kit (for multi-day trip — gear list provided)
• Water-resistant hiking boots
• Bear spray (provided if needed)
• Waterproof clothing and gaiters recommended
• Your desire for a fun adventure!

Clearwater River Packrafting Float

Highlights:
• Gentle paddling on a pristine alpine-fed river
• Ideal for first-time packrafters or families
• Wildlife and birdwatching opportunities (moose, beaver, arctic terns)
• Interpretive talk on the hydrology of the Clearwater River and surrounding terra

Overview:
This mellow float is a perfect summer escape, ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a relaxing day on the water. Starting near the Clearwater Lake outlet and floating downstream, we’ll wind through scenic boreal forest and open tundra along one of the clearest rivers in Interior Alaska. With wide channels, gentle current, and light riffles (Class I–II), this route offers the fun of packrafting without the stress of big rapids. There are great spots to pause for photos, snack breaks, and nature interpretation along the way.

Includes:
• Alpacka-style packraft (inflated and ready)
• Paddle and PFD (personal flotation device
• Dry bag for essentials
• Basic paddle instruction and river safety briefing
• Trail snacks and water filter access
• Optional shuttle back to vehicle

What You Bring:
• Quick-dry layers or swimwear
• Rain gear (top and bottom)
• Footwear that can get wet (e.g., water sandals or neoprene boots)
• Water bottle and sunglasses
• Change of dry clothes for after the trip