The Chugach Mountains near Valdez offer a rugged playground where every step challenges and rewards in equal measure. These multi-day backpacking routes dare you to move beyond the familiar day hikes, pushing into terrain that’s fiercely itself — winding through dense spruce forests, crossing rivers that test your footing, and scaling passes that open up sweeping panoramas of glacier-carved valleys.

Start your journey on the Monarch Pass Trail, a 24-mile route boasting 3,500 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins with dense stands of black spruce that seem to lean close, whispering of the journeys ahead. As you gain altitude, the forest gives way to alpine tundra where wind shapes wildflowers and the horizon unfolds into glaciers shimmering with ancient ice. River crossings here are frequent, and depending on melt rates, can be a test of balance and timing — carry sturdy shoes and trekking poles for security.

For another multi-day option, consider the Trail Creek Loop, a 30-mile trek looping through diverse terrain: mossy lowlands, rocky ridge lines, and quiet subalpine lakes that mirror the sky. Elevation gain totals about 4,100 feet across rolling hills that keep your legs engaged but offer plenty of moments to absorb the silence broken only by the tumbling creeks. Campsites near water sources are common, but expect limited flat spots; a lightweight tent and careful site selection will ease your evenings.

Before you hit the trail, time your trip between late June and early September for optimal conditions. Snow patches can linger high up well into July, adding another layer of challenge that requires good boots and crampons. Hydration is critical—the cool mountain air can mask your sweat loss, and water from streams and lakes should be treated to avoid giardia.

Footwear that grips both wet river stones and loose scree will carry you safer and farther. Pack layered clothing for fluctuating temperatures: mornings can hold frost, afternoons shift to warm with biting winds on exposed ridges.

Completing any of these routes means moving step-by-step through an environment alive and demanding respect. The Chugach doesn’t yield easily but rewards persistence with encounters that range from curious ptarmigans to the steady gaze of distant glaciers. Embark prepared, and this landscape will reveal its grit and grandeur, fresh with every mile beyond the day hike.