Birch Pond Lodge
| country: | Alaska |
| location: | Alaska, 75 miles north of Anchorage |
| price: | This property may be closed as they are not responding to e-mail enquires $220 per person per day with a two day minimum stay. Price includes; 3 healthful delicious meals a day, kayaks to explore dozens of nearby lakes, excludes flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
description
This luxury ecolodge accommodation was conceived by long-time Alaskans who want to share their experiences with adventure-seeking visitors. Our unique, hand-crafted cabins were built with great sensitivity to the environment, and equal sensitivity to the comfort of our guests. It is intentionally off the "beaten path." We love Alaska and love to share our knowledge and experience with those in search of the real Alaska. Our ecolodge accommodation is a small family owned operation perfectly suited to provide a high level of personal service. If you take the time and a little effort, you can have a real wilderness vacation and find your own very personal Alaska.
Our small (10 guest maximum) family owned/operated eco-lodge is located in a birch and spruce forest with dozens of spring fed lakes 75 miles north of Anchorage. We started our wilderness accommodation in 2000 to offer nature and adventure loving visitors a beautiful vacation retreat with experienced Alaskan guides to help explore and learn about country and its flora and fauna. In 2003 this luxury ecolodge accommodation was recognized as one of the top eco-lodges in the world by Outside Magazine (March 2003) and Travel & Leisure Magazine (July 2003).
Beaver Lodge Cabin
This hexagonal cabin was inspired by the real thing. It is crafted of beetle-killed Alaska White Spruce logs.The beautiful view across the pond to Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna) through large windows is the gift of nature. We simply worked to build a comfortable wilderness retreat to help you enjoy such gifts.
The Beaver Lodge cabin has a log queen bed, a full bath with hot shower, propane heat, and a glass-door wood stove, propane and 12-volt lighting. This lodge is our effort to build the most ecologically friendly cabin possible.
Relax on your private deck in your hammock or sit inside next to a crackling fire on cool evenings. We have combined timeless materials, modern technologies, and our knowledge of Alaska conditions to create a very unique and beautiful cabin for you.
Loon Cabin
This is the owner's original cabin, lovingly built in 1988. Ten feet of windows overlook Rainbow Lake with the Talkeetna Mountains in the distance. Thick insulation, solid pine paneling, and a glass-door wood stove have kept this cabin warm and comfortable in minus 45 temperatures.
The deck has built in seating, a hammock, a cross-coutry ski rack, and a spacious sauna. This summer we added a propane-fired outside hot shower. The outhouse is a few steps from the covered front porch and boasts propane heating, a candelabra, and its own picture window overlooking the lake.
Walk up to the top of the hill next to the main lodge and watch the light and weather change on Denali (Mt. McKinley) 100 miles to the north. Stop by the kitchen first for a thermos of coffee or tea to take along and sip while you drink in this view. In this quiet environment guests may see moose, waterfowl, and other wildlife. We provide canoes and kayaks for those who wish to explore any of the lakes. The Lodge is a perfect starting point for hiking, berry picking, and catch-and-release trout fishing as well.Birch Pond Lodge is located near the base of the Talkeetna Mountains.
If you want to hike alpine ridges covered with acres of wildflowers, visit gold mining country, and take in vistas that stretch for hundreds of miles, let us show you this little explored mountain wilderness. A short 25 mile Jeep ride will get us high up above the brush line. From there, the hiking and exploration are limited only by your time and your energy.
Summer or winter there is plenty to do. Paddle and portage through a natural wilderness of lakes and forest. Our eco-lodge shares a boundary with Nancy Lakes State Park, a 22,000 acre jewel with over 130 lakes and ponds in summer or use our cross country ski trails groomed for classic and skate skiers during the winter. Our ski trails connect to 15 kilometers of trail groomed for classic skiers in the Alaska State Park next door. Snowshoeing is a great way to access and explore places you never find in summer, and you will find the tracks of every animal you share this place with. Take along a tracking book from the lodge library and identify your neighbors.
Our luxury ecolodge is located 75 miles north of Anchorage and is easily accessible just an hour and half (driving time) north of Anchorage. We are adjacent to Nancy Lake State Park--five miles west of the Parks Highway at mile 67.5 (the Nancy Lake Parkway). There are several options to get to Birch Pond Lodge.
Driving: We will provide you with a map and detailed driving directions when you make reservations.
Motorcoach: Daily motorcoach service is available from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Denali National Park. We can make arrangements for you if you wish. Cost is approximately $40 each way to or from Anchorage.
Float Plane: Fly from Lake Hood in Anchorage directly to accommodation. This 30 minute flight (approximately) takes you over hundreds of streams, lakes, and rivers, giving you a bird's eye view of some of the country you will be exploring at the lodge. Additional flightseeing options abound and vary with time and distance. Cost is $110 per person, two person minimum.
Our small (10 guest maximum) family owned/operated eco-lodge is located in a birch and spruce forest with dozens of spring fed lakes 75 miles north of Anchorage. We started our wilderness accommodation in 2000 to offer nature and adventure loving visitors a beautiful vacation retreat with experienced Alaskan guides to help explore and learn about country and its flora and fauna. In 2003 this luxury ecolodge accommodation was recognized as one of the top eco-lodges in the world by Outside Magazine (March 2003) and Travel & Leisure Magazine (July 2003).
Beaver Lodge Cabin
This hexagonal cabin was inspired by the real thing. It is crafted of beetle-killed Alaska White Spruce logs.The beautiful view across the pond to Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna) through large windows is the gift of nature. We simply worked to build a comfortable wilderness retreat to help you enjoy such gifts. The Beaver Lodge cabin has a log queen bed, a full bath with hot shower, propane heat, and a glass-door wood stove, propane and 12-volt lighting. This lodge is our effort to build the most ecologically friendly cabin possible.
Relax on your private deck in your hammock or sit inside next to a crackling fire on cool evenings. We have combined timeless materials, modern technologies, and our knowledge of Alaska conditions to create a very unique and beautiful cabin for you.
Loon Cabin
This is the owner's original cabin, lovingly built in 1988. Ten feet of windows overlook Rainbow Lake with the Talkeetna Mountains in the distance. Thick insulation, solid pine paneling, and a glass-door wood stove have kept this cabin warm and comfortable in minus 45 temperatures. The deck has built in seating, a hammock, a cross-coutry ski rack, and a spacious sauna. This summer we added a propane-fired outside hot shower. The outhouse is a few steps from the covered front porch and boasts propane heating, a candelabra, and its own picture window overlooking the lake.
special things to do and see here
Walk up to the top of the hill next to the main lodge and watch the light and weather change on Denali (Mt. McKinley) 100 miles to the north. Stop by the kitchen first for a thermos of coffee or tea to take along and sip while you drink in this view. In this quiet environment guests may see moose, waterfowl, and other wildlife. We provide canoes and kayaks for those who wish to explore any of the lakes. The Lodge is a perfect starting point for hiking, berry picking, and catch-and-release trout fishing as well.Birch Pond Lodge is located near the base of the Talkeetna Mountains.
If you want to hike alpine ridges covered with acres of wildflowers, visit gold mining country, and take in vistas that stretch for hundreds of miles, let us show you this little explored mountain wilderness. A short 25 mile Jeep ride will get us high up above the brush line. From there, the hiking and exploration are limited only by your time and your energy.
Summer or winter there is plenty to do. Paddle and portage through a natural wilderness of lakes and forest. Our eco-lodge shares a boundary with Nancy Lakes State Park, a 22,000 acre jewel with over 130 lakes and ponds in summer or use our cross country ski trails groomed for classic and skate skiers during the winter. Our ski trails connect to 15 kilometers of trail groomed for classic skiers in the Alaska State Park next door. Snowshoeing is a great way to access and explore places you never find in summer, and you will find the tracks of every animal you share this place with. Take along a tracking book from the lodge library and identify your neighbors.
how to find us
Our luxury ecolodge is located 75 miles north of Anchorage and is easily accessible just an hour and half (driving time) north of Anchorage. We are adjacent to Nancy Lake State Park--five miles west of the Parks Highway at mile 67.5 (the Nancy Lake Parkway). There are several options to get to Birch Pond Lodge.
Driving: We will provide you with a map and detailed driving directions when you make reservations. Motorcoach: Daily motorcoach service is available from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Denali National Park. We can make arrangements for you if you wish. Cost is approximately $40 each way to or from Anchorage.
Float Plane: Fly from Lake Hood in Anchorage directly to accommodation. This 30 minute flight (approximately) takes you over hundreds of streams, lakes, and rivers, giving you a bird's eye view of some of the country you will be exploring at the lodge. Additional flightseeing options abound and vary with time and distance. Cost is $110 per person, two person minimum.
rooms, food and facilities
This ecolodge accommodation in Alaska offers two unique, individually designed, ecologically sensitive, hand crafted cabins and a huge second floor suite in the main lodge. which have been beautifully designed for Alaskan conditions. The main Lodge is just a short walk from your private cabin. You are welcome to relax, browse through our library, and enjoy meeting your fellow guests here. The great room has comfortable furnishings and large decks on its east and south sides make for pleasant times outdoors.
Our chef prepares wonderful dishes such as grilled fresh Alaska wild salmon, fresh Matanuska Valley (Alaska) produce and home made ice cream. This simply provides the comfortable setting in which to absorb the real attractions: canoeing through dozens of spring-fed lakes; hiking through untouched forest inhabited by a wealth of wildlife; climbing alpine tundra covered ridges with views stretching 100s of miles. Exploring and learning about Alaska's vast wilderness and untouched nature is the prime activity.
Our chef prepares wonderful dishes such as grilled fresh Alaska wild salmon, fresh Matanuska Valley (Alaska) produce and home made ice cream. This simply provides the comfortable setting in which to absorb the real attractions: canoeing through dozens of spring-fed lakes; hiking through untouched forest inhabited by a wealth of wildlife; climbing alpine tundra covered ridges with views stretching 100s of miles. Exploring and learning about Alaska's vast wilderness and untouched nature is the prime activity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Eco-friendly modern technologies allow a full private bath without degrading the waters or using unnecessary energy. We hand dug the foundation post holes to avoid using heavy construction equipment which would mean cutting many trees. Composting toilets, high efficiency wood stoves, very well insulated structures and careful site selection all minimize environmental impacts. Local people are employed and locally owned businesses are used exclusively to provide necessary staff and supplies.
The new Beaver Lodge Cabin is constructed of beautiful Alaska White Spruce logs which were milled in Tok, Alaska from trees which had been killed by the Spruce Bark Beetle. These trees dry while standing but then become a serious fire hazard (let us show you the winter survival trick of using the dry under-branches of living White Spruce as a fire starter if you need a demonstration). By using these Alaska trees we are reducing fire hazard, employing a local small scale mill, and building with dry, strong logs. We tend to think the result is beautiful in all respects. The ecolodge owns over 100 acres of virgin paper birch and white spruce northern forest. The property includes four clear, pristine lakes -- and over 130 lakes in a 22,000 acre Alaska State Park are right next door. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |