Backpacking / Mt. Climbing
Ellis Air offers a variety of backcountry set-out flight trips for the novice and advanced backpacker or Experienced mountain climber.
Starting sites are reached by single engine Bush Aircraft and most landings are done on River gravel bars, mountain slopes, or abandoned mining airstrips.
Wild life viewing, pristine wilderness, and mighty ice fields await you in the Wrangell Mountains and Copper river basin.
We recommend your skills and experience be up to any trips you intend to under-take if you plan Glacier travel, river crossings, or advanced back-country travel.
However, we do have set-out areas that offer day hikes for the novice, As long as care and common sense are used. After all this is wilderness Alaska....
For the advanced Mountain Climber we offer Spring and Summer set-outs for Climbing on Mt. Sanford (Windy Ridge), Mt. Drum, and Mt. Wrangell. We normally Land at the 3.200 ft. level to 4,500 ft. level with wheeled aircraft.
Ellis Air Taxi offers several on demand air charter drop-off locations for Back Country Alaska.
Prices quoted are for round trip, We are currently asking for 25% deposit when making reservations. Please provide a ten (10) day prior notice for cancellation for full refund. Less then ten days no refund of deposits. Remember to allow at least one (1) extra day or more for inclement weather when planning your trip. Our pilot generally uses the Super Cub for landing off Airport. This Aircraft provides enough space to take one (1) passenger with up to 70 pounds of gear.
Cessna 185 and Cessna 206 used for larger Bush Landing areas. three to four passengers with light gear loads.
WINDY RIDGE
Windy Ridge is located on Mount Sanford at about 3800 ft. level. It is approximately one half day hike from Sheep Glacier. The pick up point is at Chistochina (50 miles from Gulkana Airport), which is about one hour flying time from your destination. Due to high winds, early morning and late evening landings are required.
DRY LAKE
Drop-off point is located on Mount Drum, approximately 3800 ft. level. Depart Gulkana Airport, land about 40 minutes later at Dry Lake, and hike one half day to Nadina Glacier.
SANFORD RIVER
DADINA RIVER
Cabin, Near Dadina Glacier
BOULDER SHOULDER
From Chistochina, Airport 3800 ft.
NUGGET CREEK
From Chitina, cabin, at Headwaters of Kuskalana River
WEST FORKof CHISTOCHINA
JAKE’S BAR
Cabin
TOO MUCH JOHNSON- CHISANA
cabins
JACKSENA/TUMBLE CREEK
above Nabesna off Jacksina River, fly out of Slana
HUBERT’S LANDING
Cabin, located at the Headwaters of the Chitina River
PEAVINE
cabin, other side of McCarthy & Nizina River
GLACIER CREEK
cabin NPS used frequently
NABESNA RIVER
LONG GLACIER
TOO MUCH JOHNSON- CHISANA
cabins
JACKSENA/TUMBLE CREEK
above Nabesna off Jacksina River, fly out of Slana
LONG GLACIER
