Hurricane Turn Flag Stop Train America's last flag stop train since 1923 has delivered riders to remote areas along Alaska Railroad route, Talkeetna, Chase, Curry, Sherman, Gold Creek, Canyon, and Chulitna.
We offer Alaska raft trips that offer scenic views, wildlife viewing, fishing, and whitewater.
Custom group Alaska rafting adventures are available on request. If have interested in something special or participating in an exploratory expedition, please contact us with your ideals or to see what plans are being made.
Kongakut River - 10 day Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Rafting Safari. Explore Alaska's remote Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) by raft on the "river of caribou". Our trip coincides with the annual migration of the 130,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd and passes through some of the world's most pristine wilderness.
Lake Creek - 7 day Whitewater Rafting and Fishing Adventure. Our favorite fly-in wilderness adventure river, great combination exciting whitewater and great Alaska fishing. Lake Creek offers almost continuous Class II/III whitewater with a few Class IV rapids, five species of salmon, rainbow trout and arctic grayling.
Chulitna River - 4 day Denali Raft Adventure. An excellent family adventure and sampling of Alaska's best wilderness and geography at a casual pace. We travel through Denali State Park, upper Susitna Valley and take out near Trapper Creek, a historic gold mining town.
Ride one of America's last flag stop trains. Since 1923 the Hurricane Turn Train has delivered local Alaskans to their remote cabins and outdoor enthusiast to remote areas for backcountry skiing, backpacking, camping, and fishing. On this wilderness run you can get off and on the train anywhere along the 55-mile stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane. When you are ready to return to civilization, you can stop the train on its return with the wave of a flag.
Depending on the passenger load for the given day, passenger seating may vary from table seating in the upper level of the Self-propelled DMU Railcar to forward facing reclining seats in a standard single passenger level railcars.
Hurricane Turn Train Summer and Winter Schedule The summer Train departs from the Talkeetna train depot to Hurricane. Transfers are available from Talkeetna Lodge. The Summer Hurricane Turn Train runs Thursday-Sunday, mid May to mid September, and in conjunction with summer holidays. No dining onboard.
The Winter Hurricane Turn Train runs between Anchorage and Hurricane and only operates the first Thursday of each month from October to May. Be sure and pack a lunch as there is no dining onboard. Also see the Aurora Winter Train that runs the on weekends. Flag stop connections between the Aurora Winter Train and Hurricane Winter Train are possible.
Note: The Hurricane Turn is a flag stop train and may run late depending on the number of stops. The train only stops in each location when passengers are getting on or off the train.
Denali Star Train Route Highlights
Anchorage to Talkeetna Anchorage is headquarters to the Alaska Railroad and the journey to Fairbanks begins here. Several miles into the trip, the heavy birch forests of Eagle River and Chugiak lead to the Knik and Matanuska Rivers.
The expansive watershed harbors wildlife like moose, bear, the occasional wolf and abundant waterfowl. About 40 miles from Anchorage comes the Matanuska Valley, Alaska's agricultural center and home to the towns of Palmer and Wasilla.
Just south of Talkeetna, 70 miles further, the first view emerges of Denali ("The High One" or "The Great One"), North America's highest peak. The train takes its first stop in Talkeetna, a small town with a mining history and now, a popular takeoff point for climbers to Denali.
Talkeetna to Hurricane
From Talkeetna, the track follows the serpentine banks of the Susitna River. On clear days, more views of Denali emerge across the river presenting many chances for photos. From Talkeetna to Hurricane, the Alaska Railroad runs one of America's last flag stop trains. In this area are a number of remote cabin sites and old homesteads that are only accessible by the Alaska Railroad, hiking in many miles, or by snowmobile in the winter months. In the 55-mile flag stop stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane, outdoor adventurers can get off the train anywhere and can stop the train to get on by waving a flag (towel, shirt etc.) standing near the track.
Heading towards Hurricane you'll pass points along the track know as Chase, Curry, Sherman, Gold Creek, Canyon, and Chulitna.
Backcountry Safaris
P.O. Box 1397 Seward, Alaska USA 99664 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Overview
Tour Type: Scenic, Alaska Railroad Passenger Service, Whistle Stop Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair Access Comfort: Adventure Class Good Prior Experience: None
2012 Tour Dates
Schedule times varies depending on the number of flag stops made.
Summer Hurricane Turn Train
Train departs from Talkeetna depot. Transfer provided from Talkeetna Lodge. Runs Thursday-Sunday, mid May to mid September, and in conjunction with summer holidays. No dining onboard.
Depart
Arrive
Southbound, Hurricane to Anchorage
Talkeetna
12:15 PM
Chase
12:27 PM
Chase
12:27 PM
Curry
12:50 PM
Curry
12:50 PM
Sherman
1:05 PM
Sherman
1:05 PM
Gold Creek
1:20 PM
Gold Creek
1:20 PM
Canyon
1:35 PM
Canyon
1:35 PM
Chulitna
1:50 PM
Chulitna
1:50 PM
Hurricane
2:15 PM
Hurricane
3:30 PM
Chulitna
3:55 PM
Chulitna
3:55 PM
Canyon
4:10 PM
Canyon
4:10 PM
Gold Creek
4:20 PM
Gold Creek
4:20 PM
Sherman
4:45 PM
Sherman
4:45 PM
Curry
5:00 PM
Curry
5:00 PM
Chase
5:23 PM
Chase
5:23 PM
Talkeetna
5:45 PM
Winter Hurricane Turn Train
The Winter Hurricane Turn Train runs between Anchorage and Hurricane and only operates the first Thursday of each month from October to May. Be sure and pack a lunch as there is no dining onboard. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
Depart
Arrive
Northbound, Anchorage to Hurricane
Anchorage
8:30 AM
Wasilla
9:50 AM
Wasilla
9:50 AM
Talkeetna
11:25 AM
Talkeetna
11:25 AM
Hurricane
1:40 PM
Southbound, Hurricane to Anchorage
Hurricane
2:45 PM
Talkeetna
4:50 PM
Talkeetna
4:50 PM
Wasilla
6:25 PM
Wasilla
6:25 PM
Anchorage
8:00 PM
Tour Rates
Route Traveling Fare Pull Down Child Fares 50% off Under Age 12
Did You Know?
Did you know that Denali or Mt. McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,320 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.
Copyright 2011 Backcountry Safaris, All Rights Reserved
Ride one of America's last flag stop trains. Since 1923 the Hurricane Turn Train has delivered local Alaskans to their remote cabins and outdoor enthusiast to remote areas for backcountry skiing, backpacking, camping, and fishing. On this wilderness run you can get off and on the train anywhere along the 55-mile stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane. When you are ready to return to civilization, you can stop the train on its return with the wave of a flag. 
The summer Train departs from the Talkeetna train depot to Hurricane. Transfers are available from Talkeetna Lodge. The Summer Hurricane Turn Train runs Thursday-Sunday, mid May to mid September, and in conjunction with summer holidays. No dining onboard.
The expansive watershed harbors wildlife like moose, bear, the occasional wolf and abundant waterfowl. About 40 miles from Anchorage comes the Matanuska Valley, Alaska's agricultural center and home to the towns of Palmer and Wasilla.
by David Miller
by James A. Michener
by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. Slotnick
by Robert H. Armstrong
by John G. S. Trelawny
Did You Know?