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Summer Adventure Series: Twin Peaks to First Bench

  • Eklutna Lake Eklutna Lake Road Anchorage, AK United States (map)

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 8 intermediate/challenging, small-group guided hikes this summer. This series is designed to gradually acclimate adventurers to more challenging hikes over the course of the summer. Join one or all of the hikes! Bring friends, make friends - and get outside!

As a professional guide service, Revel is permitted and insured to operate trips in Alaska State Parks, on Mat-Su Borough Trails and on State of Alaska Land. Our apprentice guides carry Wilderness First Aid training at minimum. Our backcountry guides hold current Wilderness First Responder certification. The Summer Adventure Series hikes are a maximum of 10 participants per hike to keep our impact small.

What’s included with the Twin Peaks hike?

  • Local guide(s) with (at minimum) Wilderness First Aid training

  • 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.

  • Summit surprise - at our turnaround point we’ll have a tasty, local treat

  • Post-hike lemonade at the trailhead

What’s not included?

  • Parking fees

  • Transportation

  • Lunch, water, snacks 

  • Personal gear 

About the Twin Peaks Trail:

The Twin Peaks trail is located at Eklutna Lake in the Chugach State Park. Did you know Eklutna is the city of Anchorage’s primary source of drinking water? We will hike about 2 miles gradually uphill along a wide-berth, well maintained trail to a bench overlooking Eklutna Lake. Total elevation gain is about 1,300’. While here, we will take a rest to enjoy the scenery before hiking back down the mountain.

This trail is part of Chugach State Park. Participants are responsible for paying applicable parking fees if they do not have an annual Alaska State Parks parking pass. Annual permits can easily be purchased online here.

What to expect:

We will hike at a leisurely pace and stick together as a group. Hikers can plan to stop for snack breaks and educational opportunities along the way. We'll eat lunch and soak in the sights before returning back to the trailhead. This is an out-and-back trail. 

  • Mileage: Approximately 4 miles (to the first bench, our turn around spot)

  • Elevation Gain: About 1,300 feet

  • Estimated Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Maximum group size of 10 hikers. Must be 18 years or older to participate unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

We ask folks to leave their 4-legged friends behind for this trip. Thanks for understanding.

When does it start?

We will meet at the trailhead at 9:00am and promptly begin the hike.

How much does it cost to participate?

  • $79 standard price per person, $69 per person for Adventure Club Members

  • Buy a punch card (good for any 4 hikes in the series) for $349 standard price per person, $299 for Adventure Club Members

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.

What to bring:

  • Comfortable trail shoes or hiking boots

  • Small daypack

  • Warm, breathable layers (try to avoid cotton)

  • Hat and a light pair of gloves

  • Rain gear (we recommend carrying both a rain jacket and rain pants if you have them)

  • Water and snacks as desired

  • Lunch as desired

  • Trekking poles (we have some available to borrow if you don’t have your own)

  • Routine medications

  • Positive attitude and open mind

A note on flexibility and weather:

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 judgment when making trip adjustments.

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.

Will we summit?

Revel makes no guarantees that individuals or our group will summit during these adventures. It’s a great goal, but sometimes we need to make adjustments while in the field. The nature of recreating in Alaska requires flexibility. Weather, wildlife, terrain, human factors, etc. can all warrant a shift in plans. Please join our adventures with an open mind.

Is there a reward for completing all the adventure series hikes?

  • Complete 4 out of 8 hikes and get a free pair of Revel merino socks. 

  • Complete all 8 hikes, will receive a Revel swag pack

How can I support Revel community events and courses? 

Revel is committed to offering Ladies Night Out(doors), 50ish and Over Hikes, 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:

  • Join the Revel Adventure Club!

  • 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.

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Cold Water Survival Skills (free classroom session)

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June 3

Cold Water Paddling (Pool-based)