Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Copper River Raft
Download a copy of the Copper River Raft Itinerary (PDF, 116 KB).
• Dates: July 12 - July 19
• Region: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Chugach National Forest, Southcentral
Alaska.
• Cost: $2,400 per person from Anchorage. See details below. Affordable camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
Born of huge ice fields covering the Alaska Chugach and Wrangell-Saint Elias mountain ranges, the Copper River is Alaska’s fifth largest river. It carries a tremendous volume of silty water at a fast pace, emptying into Prince William Sound. The rivers that contribute to the Copper are themselves large by any standard, and moving at a good clip. Daily we will see moving bodies of water collide in awe-inspiring whirlpools and evidence of elemental changes in this elemental landscape unfolding before our eyes.
We begin rafting near the small historic village of Chitina. Almost immediately we are swept along into the staggeringly beautiful wood canyon. We get to run Class II rapids, and the river is always in a hurry to get to The Gulf of Alaska, literally cutting through mountains. We encounter canyons in steep-walled valleys in the upper river, but as the river merges with its tributaries and enlarges, we encounter rows of mountain faces and broad views. We also pass Childs Glacier on the lower river. The Childs calves chunks of blue and white striated ice into the river to float along with us.
As we paddle and camp our way toward the Sound, we can see favorite Alaskan wildlife like moose, black bears, Bald Eagles, foxes, and brown bears. The Copper has extensive sand bars and we often see animals crossing them. The brown bears are impressively large from feeding on the rich stocks of salmon that climb the river. They have a better time fishing than we will, but it is possible to catch salmon in clearer side streams. We’ll camp on the same sand bars the critters use, where the camping and walking are the best. Hiking is good along the river and creeks, but to go far afield from the rivers is to learn the meaning of “bushwhack”. You really have to work to hike beyond the river corridor. There are cut banks and bare hillocks we can climb to get a view. There is a region of sand dunes - glacial till - that is always good fun. Imagine running the Copper’s largest rapid, Abercrombie Rapid, with bears on the shore and harbor seals bobbing around you- both looking for a meal of salmon.
The world’s largest avian migration occurs on the Copper River delta each spring. Long past at this time of year, the Copper River in summer - even in its upper reaches - provides good birding.
For this trip, no paddling experience is required, as instruction is provided. Everyone joins in the fun of paddling the boats under the guidance of a raft captain. Sometimes the paddling becomes work for all, but we do have the benefit of good current the whole way.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions and opportunities in the field.
We will convene in Anchorage the evening of the 7/11for a pre-trip meeting.
Time and location for this meeting to be announced.
Day 1: We begin our trip in Anchorage, where we load our gear and drive one of the most scenic roads in Alaska. Our destination is Chitina, a small and historic mining town. We spend the rest of the day rigging the rafts land earning safety procedures. We will not paddle far on the first day.
Day 2-10: We wake, eat a hearty breakfast, and launch our rafts on the small but powerful Copper River. We’re on our way! We have about 100 miles to go and eight days to get there, with up to two layover days to explore on foot. We’ll be on the river up to 7 hours a day, stopping several times to stretch, fish, snack, hike and explore.
Day 11: We reach our take-out, and are shuttled to Cordova, where we spend the rest of the day and evening exploring this quaint fishing village.
Day 12: Catch a ferry, through Prince William Sound, to the small coastal community of Whittier, and then drive back to Anchorage, where the trip officially ends.
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Anchorage.
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one bear spray per guest.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.
The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, backpack (if applicable), and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Large waterproof dry bag (one with shoulder-straps works best).
Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Rubber raingear bibs
Rubber raingear jackets
Rubber boots
Large Dry Bag
A River Trip Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary dramatically in the Alaska. It could be hot, but it isn’t likely to be cool. Temperatures will range from the 40s to 70s and we could get some heavy rain- it is a temperate coastal rain forest!. When the wind comes up river from Prince William Sound and they can be strong enough to convince us to stay at camp until they subside!. This is the mosquito season, though they will be a factor we plan to mollify by choosing open, breezy camps. Bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case.
Suggested Reading: The Copper Spike, Lone E Janson
Included in the trip: Transportation beyond Anchorage, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear, and expert guide service.
Not included in the price of the trip: Transportation to or lodging in Anchorage. Non-camp meals, personal clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, boots, waterproof river bag, waterproof camera bag, fishing gear, fishing license and gratuities. An equipment list is provided upon request; rentals available.