If you're going with me on a day trip, this is what I want you to bring.
What to Wear:
Long underwear - Polypro., Thermax, etc., NO COTTON
Shirt, pants & jacket - wool or synthetic fibers only, NO COTTON
Hat that stays on & keeps your head warm - NO COTTON
Neoprene socks & gloves
light weight shoes - large enough for extra heavy socks, no boots that you can't swim in
Wet suit, dry suit or rain suit - Depends on river and weather - Waders if you cut off the feet
Type III or V PFD (personal floatation device) - At least 20 lb. flotation preferred
What to Bring:
Car to run shuttle with
Money to share expenses
Sack lunch with drinks
Change of clothes
Optional: lighter, knife, whistle, sun screen, bug repellent, toilet paper
Where & When:
Eagle River: Put in is above the South end of E.R. Loop Rd. bridge. (if going North from Anchorage take Highland Rd. exit, turn right toward E.R., right again just before bridge & go ¼ mile to the end of the road.) Take out is at the E.R. Campground (if going North take Highland Rd. exit but go straight into the campground, turn left at the fee station ($5 parking) & go down to the river.) Alternate take out is on Ft. Rich. (need free permit for access) Use Glenn Hwy. gate. Stay on D St. to its end, turn right. Go one mile past end of pavement, cross RR tracks & keep going north past Otter Lk. Rd., keep right for 2 more miles (toward Clunie Lk) to river access (¼ mile before bridge).
Class II - III (class III+/IV just above campground) - gray glacial water - water rises with rain or warm sunshine in July.
Kenai River / Kenai Canyon: Put in at the end of Kenai Lake on the South side of the bridge ($5 parking). First take out: turn left (driving South from Anchorage) at the first (Upper) Skilak Lake Rd. & then take first left (100’ from Hwy). Go to the parking lot at the end of the drive. This is a 3-4 hour drift on mostly calm, and very scenic, water. Second take out is reached by continuing down the Skilak Lake Road for 12 miles, then turning left into the Upper Skilak Campground. Park in the lot above the boat ramp. This provides another 1-1½ hours on class II+ water. But we have to motor about eight miles of Skilak Lake, which is terrible if it's windy. Requires an outboard motor.
Leave Anchorage at 8 a.m. 10 or 13 hour trip, depending on the take out. - Class I - II+ - blue-green & beautiful.
Matanuska River / Lions Head: - Put in at mile 107 Glenn Hwy. Just as you finish crossing Caribou Creek bridge, turn LEFT at the end of the guard rail. Take out at mile 102. (When you see the large glacier access sign, head towards Anchorage about 200’, then turn left & go down the hill.) Park on the left just before the bridge. You will see two bridges here, 200 yards apart, be sure you are on the lower one. If not, go back to the hwy. & try again.
Leave Anchorage 11 a.m.. This is a 10+ hour trip. - Class IV - dark gray glacial silt - rises with warm sunshine in July.
Nenana Canyon: Put in at the end of the Riley Creek Campground's overflow parking lot. Take the Denali Park entrance, turn left into the campground, go to the lower end of the parking lot by Riley Creek. Take out at the Healy Road bridge. Turn right (if heading North) at the main Healy turn off. Go down the hill, through town and turn off on the left 200 yards before you cross the Nenana River. Take out is the down stream side of the bridge. Commercial rafters with big rigs & busses use this area, so park away from the main area. This is a two day trip so we run it twice.
Leave 8 a.m., return 10 p.m. the next day. - Class IV - dark gray glacial silt, with big waves. Rises with rain & sun in July
Six Mile Creek: Put in at the parking lot at mile 59 of the Seward Hwy. (2.6 miles north of Hope Rd.) First take out at mile .9 on the Hope road, a little below the first canyon. This is an easy to miss driveway on the right. Second take out at mile 4.5 on the Hope road, is a small driveway going up the hill on the right, a little below the second canyon. Third take out is at mile 7.1 of the Hope Rd. There is a 7 mile marker. Turn just before the first mailbox and drive ½ mile down a narrow driveway. Local miners have warning signs up. There are three canyons on this creek, going from class IV to IV+ to V. If we experience trouble with the upper sections we may not do the lower canyon. Spectacular scenery and awesome whitewater. Wet or dry suits & helmets are required.
7 - 9 hour trip - Class IV & V - Small blue water stream that rises with snow melt in June and rain anytime.
