About the Summer Adventure Series:
Interested in exploring local trails, but need adventure buddies? Looking to make new friends? Curious about the area we call home or after a summer challenge? These are all great reasons to join our adventure series. We're offering 6 intermediate/challenging, small-group guided trips this summer. Bring friends, make friends - and get outside!
What's Included:
Local guide with Wilderness First Responder training
Round trip transportation to/from downtown Palmer. We meet at the AKtive Soles (Koslosky Building) parking lot at 7:30AM unless you opt to meet us at the trailhead.
Picnic lunch from Turkey Red (can accommodate most dietary needs)
Parking + permit fees (unless you meet us at the trailhead in your vehicle)
Trekking poles (available upon request)
An educational component. Each hike in our Summer Adventure Series will incorporate an educational component - from history to flora and fauna, we’ll make sure you’re learning along the trail.
Optional post-hike social hour at a local small business (put your adventure book coupons to use!)
About Eska Falls:
We will start from the end of Jonesville Road, near Coyote Lake and head up an old mining road to reach the trailhead. This adventure is considered moderately challenging. We'll climb up along the old road into switchbacks before finally reaching alpine tundra. Once in the tundra we still have a couple miles of traversing before we reach the 100' waterfall. We'll enjoy lunch here and meander back to the trailhead. Plan for a full day event.
The trailhead is a Mat-Su Borough trailhead. Parking fees and permitting is included in your trip cost if you opt to travel with us from downtown Palmer. If you are meeting us at the trailhead, parking fees are $5 for a single day pass. It's also possible to purchase an annual parking pass with the Mat-Su Borough online or at the Borough office in downtown Palmer.
What to Expect:
We will hike at a leisurely pace and stick together as a group. We'll stop for snack breaks and educational opportunities along the way. We'll eat lunch and soak in waterfall time before returning back to the trailhead. This is an out and back trail.
Mileage: About 11 miles (we start before the actual trailhead, so note that it adds a couple miles to the trip)
Elevation Gain: About 2,000 feet
Estimated Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Estimated Return Time: We should be back to downtown Palmer by 4PM
Maximum group size of 10 hikers. Must be 18 years or older to participate.
We ask folks leave their 4-legged friends behind for this trip.
A Note on Flexibility:
The nature of adventuring outside requires some flexibility. We do our best to follow the itinerary as outlined, but trail conditions, wildlife, etc. can all impact our plans. Please know if we need to shift plans your guide will communicate with you in a timely manner. Safety is our priority and we use our best judgement when making trip adjustments.
Weather:
We rarely cancel due to inclement weather. Please bring gear to adventure in the elements. If you need to borrow something, let us know! We have lots of extra supplies and are happy to loan items out if needed.
When and where will we be hiking?
Saturday, June 17 - Eska Falls
Saturday, July 1 - Government Peak
Saturday, July 15 - Blacktail Rocks
Saturday, August 12 - Lazy Mountain
Saturday, August 26 - Matanuska Peak
Saturday, September 9 - Mount Eklutna
What time does the hike start?
We will meet at the AKtive Soles parking lot at 7:30AM unless otherwise specified.
How much does it cost?
Pricing for the Eska Falls hike is $85 per person.
Is there a discount if I do the whole series?
Yes! If you would like to purchase the whole series, you’ll save $50 off your purchase. Sign up for the whole series here.
Do you offer scholarships or payment plans?
Yes and yes! Anyone can apply for a scholarship here. Additionally, if you’d like to set up a payment plan (for no additional fee) please reach out.
Will I summit?
Revel makes no guarantees that individuals or our group will summit during these adventures. It’s a great goal, but safety remains our top priority. The nature of recreating in Alaska requires flexibility. Weather, wildlife, terrain, injury, etc. can all warrant a shift in plans. Please join our adventures with an open mind.
Can I bring my pup?
For these trips we ask folks leave their 4-legged friends at home.
How can I support Revel community events and courses:
Revel is committed to offering Ladies Night Out(doors), Hike and Learn events and other community engagement activities for locals in our community. Our dream is that our guided adventures for visitors will help fund these offerings. This continues to be a work in progress. You help can support these programs through the following ways:
Make a donation to our Community Adventure Fund. These funds are used exclusively to fund community events and courses. You can opt to fund specific programs like Ladies Night Outdoors or Education Scholarships. You also have the option to contribute more broadly to community programming.
If you like what we’re doing for the local community, consider leaving a review on Trip Advisor or Google.
Help spread the word about us. Have friends or family visiting? Know someone who could benefit from attending a community event?
Collaborate with us. If you’re a local business owner, teacher or have creative ideas on how you can help support these community-focused activities, reach out.