The Experience
When you arrive at the trail head your knowledgeable guide will instruct your family’s driver on how to operate the Kawasaki Mules. Don’t want to drive? No problem! We can accommodate those who want to ride along and enjoy the views! The mules are equipped with convertible tops for those traditional Southeast Alaska days and your guide can provide you with blankets, gloves and rain ponchos if necessary.
Start your journey up the trail and enjoy the lush forest and scenic views peeking through the trees. The first mile of trail has 17 switchbacks and gains the most elevation, starting at sea level and taking you to 1,100 feet in elevation for your first stop at our exclusive mountain lodge. Here you’ll take in the breathtaking views of the beautiful Lynn Canal and Coastal mountain range. You’ll also be treated to fresh baked cookies straight out of the oven along with coffee, hot chocolate, tea and lemonade.
After the lodge you’ll continue on the trail for another scenic mile, passing cascading waterfalls and crossing crystal clear mountain streams. Your guide will make a stop at a scenic alpine lake to take in the views and scan the mountain side for wildlife. The natural lake is fed by cascading waterfalls down the backside of Mt. Ripinsky. When the season is right you can pick wild Alaskan blueberries and salmon berries that are abundant in this area.
As you continue to the end of the trail at 1,500 feet, be prepared to catch your breath for the stunning vista of Chilkoot Lake and the Lutak inlet. A gorgeous alpine meadow awaits those who wish to take a short hike up the hillside to enjoy the wildflowers that soak up the sunshine at this higher elevation.
The return portion of your tour will take you back to our exclusive lodge where you will be served a deliciously prepared beer-battered halibut and roasted chicken meal. Vegetarian meals and special dietary requests are available with a 24-hour notice.
After this fantastic homemade meal and time to relax in the lodge, you will make your way back to the trail head. For those who took the Takshanuk Trail bus to the trail head, your return trip to town will include a scenic tour of Haines and Fort William H. Seward, the first permanent army base in Alaska.
Tour duration from Skagway: 6 to 6 1/2 hours including roundtrip transportation.
Tour duration from Haines: 3 ½ to 4 hours including roundtrip transportation.
The Mules
The Kawasaki MULE 4010 utility vehicle is similar in concept to a four-wheel drive pickup truck, but deliberately rugged in design and smaller in size. This allows for easy maneuvering in places normally inaccessible to full-sized vehicles.
Our mules have seating for four but can accommodate families of five with smaller children or couples who wish to have their own. Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license to drive. A signed waiver is required of all guests. Participants must be able to walk over uneven terrain and climb steps to enter bus transportation. All ages welcome! Families and groups are kept together on their machines and are offered many stops along the trail to alternate drivers if so desired.
The Lodge
While at our exclusive lodge on Takshanuk Mountain, enjoy a delicious meal of beer-battered fried halibut with homemade tartar sauce, roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, homemade coleslaw, tropical fruit salad and fresh baked cookies!
The Trail
The Takshanuk Mountain Trail was completed in 2003 after a four-year construction process. It’s a six-mile round trip tour and gains 1,500 feet in elevation. Our motorized, guided tour allows you to get in touch with the serenity of nature and be captivated with some of the most pristine views Alaska has to offer!