Big Game Guides — Airplane Trappers — Air Taxi Service

1945-1999

In the 1940’s, Lloyd “Penny” Pennington established his base of operations at Snowshoe Lake, on the newly constructed WWII road system, which connected Anchorage to Glennallen. He was an “outsider” part-Indian from Oregon, and worked for the fire control service. Utilizing an Aeronca Chief, he trapped fur bearers, hunted big game, and guided what few hunting clients existed between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Being the first in the region to host non-resident hunters, Lloyd made certain to pass down his knowledge of flying and guiding to up-and-coming guide-pilots, such as Cleo McMahan from Gakona. Tragically, Lloyd was mauled by a large blonde grizzly in 1956 while guiding a client—a barber from Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. LLoyd’s stamp on the history of Alaska flying and guiding is a treasure, not to be forgotten!

Following in LLoyd’s footsteps, Alaskan Airventures dropped clients off far-and-wide in pursuit of the ultimate adventure, whether hunting big game, fishing, or trekking across the vast Wrangell St. Elias Park & Preserve. The last operator, Bart Bartley, ended operations in the late 1990’s, and Snowshoe Lake has been privately owned for nearly a quarter century.

Eco-Tourism

2024-Present

In 2021, the Bailey family purchased the weathered & wary property with high hopes of reviving it’s important Alaskan history. With tremendous perseverence—and no shortage of blood, sweat, and tears—, renovations of the “Lodgy” cabin at Snowshoe Lake are nearing completion and Chris will be ready to receive guests in 2025!