CUA: Guided Day Hiking- Backcountry

Park Specific Stipulations: Guided Day Hiking- Backcountry

Permitted Activities

Guided day hiking in the backcountry is authorized by this permit.

Authorized Areas

1980 Park and Preserve Additions which includes Backcountry Units 40-43, and 61-85.

Group Size

• Total group size is 12, inclusive of CUA holder and employees (guides).
• The CUA holder may have one hiking group in Backcountry Unit 74 and two in Unit 77 at a time.
• Those offering both Day and Overnight Hiking must coordinate group movement to comply with the above requirement.
• Groups may overlap briefly while awaiting air taxi transport.

Guide Certification

• Basic first-aid, CPR, and Leave No Trace certifications are required for Denali CUA holders.
• At least one guide on each trip must have a current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification.

Safety and Resource Protection

Bear resistant containers approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, are required for short-term, emergency food and equipment storage. Containers must be at least 100 yards from the lake shore, in a location that is unobtrusive to visitors arriving in the area.

Leave No Trace:

• Hiking activity near Backside Lake (in the recent moraine areas with gravely soil and pioneer vegetation) shall take place on routes designated with existing unobtrusive small rock cairns. These routes must be minimized and not expanded.
• Hiking activity away from Backside Lake (the older alpine meadow vegetation) shall be dispersed to the greatest degree possible to prevent the formation of newly created social trails and minimize resource damage at camping areas.
• If the NPS detects visitor-created social trails or resource damage at camping areas away from the lake, the NPS will seek to apply measures to limit the impacts to the area.
• Hiking must be done on durable surfaces whenever possible.

Additional Regulations and Considerations

Tarps (single sheet of material) may only be used for shelter during inclement weather under the following conditions:

• Placed on a durable surface with minimal vegetation and no cryptobiotic soils.
• Located at least 100 yards from the lakeshore and unobtrusive to visitors.
• Used only when employees are present.

Unauthorized Activities

• Overnight use, including storing emergency food or gear, is prohibited.

Download or print these stipulations. CUA holders and their employees are responsible for knowing and following all rules.