Looking at doing a through hike from Hope to Cooper Landing area this summer, and was wondering if anyone knows of a shuttle that could bring me and my partners back to our parked van up by Hope when we finish. Did a similar trip using this service in the Chugach once, but it's been probably 10 years. Any suggestions appreciated!

Call Wildmans. I know they do drift boat shuttles, they might take this on too.

There is a Homer to Anchorage shuttle van. But I think they have fixed stops and don’t go up the hope road. Can’t hurt to call though.


https://www.alaskabuscompany.com/route-schedule

From the cut-off to Hope is only 15 miles, downhill all the way. I bet someone could hitch a ride easily from the Seward Hiway into Hope... or from Cooper Landing all the way in two rides.

I would park the van at your finish and have them drive you up to the start. It's a lot easier coordinating it that way.

Easier yet is having the van driver drop everyone off at the start, drive to the takeout, and hitch back...

If you can’t find someone in Cooper Landing on their way to Anchorage in the Summer to give you a lift, you’re not looking.

The standard up here is pretty low. If he's skinny and have some legs, I don't think he'll have a problem catching a ride.

Haha. Enjoyed that.

Gonna be with a group I'm taking, so has to be pre-coordinated. Had planned to leave the van on the north end and shuttle back after hiking because the parking lot there looks pretty good, but could definitely be an option to prestage the van at the south end, shuttle and then hike. Almost close enough to Anchorage for a cab.

Miles longer than that to the trailhead from the turnoff. More like 20 - maybe more. And that last bit up Resurrection Road (or whatever) might be the toughest to get a ride on. Buncha Adirondacts......

Or take two vehicles. DIY.

Or plan for a 55-60 mile hike, if the catching a ride thing doesn't work out. 4 days instead of 3?.

By the way, Resurection Creek below the falls (mile 6?) is full of 6-8 inch Golden Fin (Dollies?). Fry 'em up crisp in butter and eat them like fries....bones and all. Start with cheese balls or individual eggs, then go to eyeballs from caught fish.

Kidding aside, maybe rent a car and stage it at the safer and more secure lot? It looks like a 2-day trip.

A good friend just ran the R Pass race this past fall... Hope to Cooper Landing, round trip, with a side trip down and up Devil's Pass just to round it out to 100 miles. No trail support either. He did the whole thing in about 23 hours IIRC. Mid-50s and came in third. Sounds impressive until you find out a woman in her 60s took second...

Great SA on this! Will definitely have a small pack rod. Was planning to do the portion of the trail shown as 45 miles in three and a half days. The idea of renting a second cheapie car to run the van to the end of the trail actually doesn't sound bad at all. Thanks for all the input, everyone!

My wife is one of them crazy people. She signs up for every triathlon there is every year. I hate hiking with her!

Just wanted to bump this to make aure I'm on the right sheet of music here- there aren't any permits required to do the Res Pass trail, right?

Not if you are going straight through or camping. USFS cabins are for rent- currently booked into September. My crazy wife just checked and asked if I wanted to go after moose season.


Uh....NO?!!!! Beautiful trip tho, especially with fall colors.

I last did the whole trail (solo) over X-mas break about 1970. On SkIs. 17 degrees when I left Hope, -50 when I got to Cooper Landing. That was fun.. Busman's Holiday- I was working on it summers on trail crew.