John Claus - Patriarch of the family came here in 1960 as a hunting guide. He eventually got land from the BLM.A cabin went up - built by eskimoes using only an axe. Presedent Jimmy Carter declared this area a National Monument & we couldn't come to our land anymore. In 1980 Congress changed it to National Park -we regained our access.

In 1982, newly married, Paul & Donna Claus made this their permanent home and began building the lodge. A few years later the river changed course & began eating our land. We had to move all our buildings, and build a new runway in a hurry. In 2004 we moved again on to our final place up the mountain. A huge project completed! Each of the buildings has been in three locations. Hopefully, this is the last time.

Paul and Donna have three children who have been raised here at the lodge. Ellie 21, Jay 18, Logan 12 are each homeschooled. Maegan, 23 joined our family several years ago.

John and Eleanor Claus joined us here at the lodge. John keeps the place running and flies. Eleanor cooks and runs marathons. She ran her 28th one on her 70th birthday in 2004. She trains on our runway.