Lonely Planet

October 2017 Lonely Planet Traveller 95ANIAKCHAK NATIONALMONUMENTMore people explore space each year thanvisit Aniakchak National Monument in Alaska,a collapsed volcanic crater that contains some ofthe rawest wilderness in North America. Freshoff the angry Bering Sea, waterfalls of billowingcloud spill over Aniakchak’s steep crater rimduring wet weather, adding a ghostly sheen tothe ‘lost world’ of giant bears and barren tundrabelow. If you’re up for adventure, you canbackpack into the crater using sinuous animaltrails, before white-water rafting out along thefoamy Aniakchak River to the sea. Hikers willneed foldable kayaks, lightweight campingequipment and lots of courage.OFly into the tiny settlement of Port Heiden andhike from there. See nps.gov/ania.