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Town of Talkeetna |
Flowing
west from its headwater glaciers on the crest of the Talkeetna
Mountains, the Talkeetna River flows over 80 miles before
merging with the Susitna and Chulitna Rivers near the town
of Talkeetna.
The
word "Talkeetna," roughly translated from the
Athabaskan, means "the place where three rivers meet."
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For
the first 30 miles of its length, the Talkeetna is pristine and
mild, taking a braided, meandering path across the valley floor.
Sweeping views of towering peaks sandwiching a vast glacial outwash
plain dominate this area. We float peacefully through this
area snacking and enjoying the scenery.
Talkeetna River in the Talkeetna Mountains
After flowing
past its confluence with Prairie Creek, however, the river changes
character and enters Talkeetna Canyon. Cutting a steep walled
canyon, the river drops 30-40 feet per mile and forms over 10
miles of continuous Class IV whitewater. After emerging
from the canyon, the river returns to its previously mild character,
making for a pleasant float back to Talkeetna.
Lunch after arrival at the river. |
Expeditions
begin in the town of Talkeetna, where we board a bushplane
and fly to our launch point, 60 air miles away in the heart
of the Talkeetna Mountain range. You get a real feeling
of isolation when the plane leaves and the Talkeetna Canyon
stands between you and "town." The excitement
builds as we float past Prairie Creek area, listening carefully
for the roar of rapids. |
We'll run
the "Toilet Bowl" as we enter the canyon and then hang
on as we surf and slam our way through the ten miles of whitewater
known as the "Sluice Box." With challenging whitewater
set in a remote and pristine wilderness setting, the Talkeetna
Canyon stands alone as one of the classic runs in American whitewater.
After emerging from the canyon, we'll camp one more night near
Disappointment Creek. An odd name for a beautiful camp.
Preparing lunch
in the canyon
On our Talkeetna
River adventures, the only disappointment you'll experience is
having to go back home.
Talkeetna
River Rafting Trip Schedules and Itineraries
We have two
different trip itineraries available for the Talkeetna River:
a 5-day/4-night expedition and a 3-day/2-night expedition.
Our 5-day/4-night trip spends two days in the upper headwaters
area and allows for a full layover day near for Prairie Creek
for hiking, exploring and wildlife viewing. The Prairie
Creek area is known for its excellent fishing and abundant wildlife.
For those on tighter schedules we offer a 3-day trip which spends
only one day in the headwaters area and skips the layover day
at Prairie Creek. Both trips spend their last night camped
near Disappointment Creek. We depart Disappointment Creek
in the morning, arriving back in Talkeetna in the afternoon.
All trips require a minimum group size of four people in order
to be run, so start organizing your "crew" ASAP.
The following
schedule is a sample 5-day itinerary. Our 3-day trip itinerary
eliminates Days 1 and 3 from the 5-day schedule. All Talkeetna
River trips require that you meeting us in Talkeetna the evening
prior to Day 1 for a pre-trip orientation meeting, packing, etc.
We can help with arrangements for lodging and transport to Talkeetna
-- It's no problem -- just call us.
Sluicebox Rapids |
Day
1 -- Early morning start. Fly in to raft launch at Yellowjacket
Creek. Raft approximately 5-10 miles. Camp out that night.
Day
2 -- We float to Prairie Creek. We will be floating
through some of the best fishing in Alaska. Camp out that
night.
Day
3 -- Day 3 is a scheduled free day at the confluence
of Prairie Creek and the Talkeetna River. Opportunities
abound for hiking, fishing and photos. Camp out that night.
Day
4 -- We run Talkeetna River Canyon to Disappointment
Creek. This is our last night camping out.
Day
5 -- End the river trip mid-afternoon in Talkeetna
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