Photo: Wilbur Mills Rafting Alaska's Wild Rivers: A Journey Through the Wrangell, St. Elias, and Chugach Mountains Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08024A Price: $2,295 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Wilbur Mills To spend a week or more living on the river is literally life-changing. The river
carries us beneath towering green mountains draped with waterfalls and blue hanging
glaciers. Bald eagles soar overhead and magnificent brown bears and wolves roam
the riverbanks . . . On the river and around the fire we have shared our stories
and become a tribe. We are more bear-like, more salmon-like, each of us more
like the river itself. Welcome to the Mountain Kingdom of North America. Epic. Awesome. Huge. Words, though, don't do justice to the outsized majesty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: More than 16 Yosemites would fit within its boundaries, and 5 million of its 13.2 million acres are covered in snow and ice. This spectacular park includes the continent's largest assemblage of glaciers, and the greatest collection of peaks above 16,000 feet. Nearly 10 million acres, or 15,000 square miles, of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve are designated wilderness -- the largest in the U.S. National Park system. It is known for its extensive delta ecosystem, as well as for its prolific runs of wild salmon, which are among the most highly prized stocks in the world. Our trip takes us to the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where we will climb aboard rafts and journey down rivers heavily laden with glacial silt, through landscapes that truly deserve to be called sublime. As we raft through the Copper River Delta we will be exposed to the enormous, 40-mile-long Childs Glacier. Along the way, we'll camp next to the river and have plenty of time to hike, explore, and spot wildlife, thanks to fast-moving currents. By the time we reach the Copper, we'll be dropping about 12 feet in elevation per mile and moving along at an average clip of seven miles per hour. As we get closer to Prince William Sound, we'll cross paths with several glaciers, their giant columns of ice spilling into the water. Be prepared for scenic overload. We'll use oar-powered rafts, each guided by an experienced river guide.We carry up to three passengers per boat, along with all the trip's gear, food, and equipment. (Each evening, we'll make camp with this gear.) The rafts enable us to carry fresh food, enjoy baked treats from Dutch ovens, dayhike long distances without heavy packs, and see a lot more of wild Alaska than would be possible on a backpacking trip of the same duration. We let the river do the work.  Photo: Wilbur Mills With approximately 22 hours of functional daylight, we will have plenty of
time to look for, observe, and appreciate the incredible diversity of flora
and fauna of the region. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve contains
one of the largest concentrations of Dall sheep in North America. Other mammals
living here include mountain goats, caribou, moose, grizzly bear, black bear,
lynx, wolverine, river otter, wolves, fox, beavers, and porcupines. The diversity of the park's landscapes and its complex geological and ecological history are reflected in the composition of the vegetation and flora of the park. Indeed, four mountain systems, eight physiographic provinces, three climate zones, and seven ecoregions span the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Here you will find sand dunes, glaciers, and volcanic ash. Unusual plant communities accompany the unique landforms of the park. A recent inventory of the park's flora indicates that there are 884 vascular plant species alone.
 Photo: Wilbur Mills We will meet in Anchorage for an orientation meeting the evening before the start of the trip. (Details will be provided after you sign up.) As we finalize arrangements for our departure the next morning, you will receive your waterproof bags, have your equipment checked out by the guides, and ask any last-minute questions. After the meeting you will have time to pack your river gear into waterproof bags. Try to arrive in Anchorage early to sightsee and do any last-minute shopping. Below you will find a typical itinerary for the trip. Generally, we will float from four to six hours a day, though we may have a layover day when we won't float at all. Once we hit the water, we'll be traveling on river time and letting the river, wildlife viewing possibilities, and general mood of trip participants set the daily schedule. This lets us take advantage of any opportunities that may arise. Be prepared to leave your watch behind and go with the flow.  Photo: Wilbur Mills Days 1-2: We will travel by van to the put-in early on the first day of the trip. We well put in near Chitina. After a thorough orientation and safety presentation, we will begin this classic Alaska river rafting expedition and head off down the river, typically around 11:00 a.m. The mighty Copper has carved a path directly through the Coast Range to the ocean, draining an area of 24,000 square miles. Once in the strong, fast current of the Copper, we'll be headed due south. Amazingly, this river carries nearly as much water as the Mississippi, as we plunge into Woods Canyon not far from the confluence. We'll spend the first few days floating and exploring the Copper River as it carves a scenic path through glaciers and the abundant coastal forests of the Chugach Mountains. Here, the river forms the boundary of the Wrangle-St. Elias National Park. Soon after entering the Copper, we'll see snowcapped Spirit Mountain, a revered landmark for the Ahtna Athapaskans. This might be a perfect time to discuss the Copper River Valley, its human inhabitants, and their impacts on the health of the watershed.  Photo: Wilbur Mills Days 3-4: On these days of our Alaska river rafting adventure we float through the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the Copper river canyon. We float through calm stretches, take time to hike away from the river, and run class II and III whitewater such as Abercrombie If conditions allow, we will have a day to layover in camp and hike, fish, relax, read, or nap. If our timing is good, we will spend a half-day hiking across the spectacular sand dunes to a popular grizzly bear fishing spot on the Bremner River. Here the Copper River valley widens. Glacial sand from the Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains has been carried for millennia by the Copper and Bremner Rivers, deposited here, and sculpted into dunes and plateaus. We'll keep an eye out for seals swimming upstream to fish for salmon. Days 5-6: We'll arrive at Miles Lake after passing through Baird Canyon and running Abercrombie Rapids. This fun stretch of big waves proved a formidable obstacle to river navigation at the turn of the century. We'll enjoy the quick ride through the canyon before floating into the lake, which forms a unique arena for sprawling glaciers, icebergs, harbor seals, seagulls, and the mountains of the Chugach Range. If time allows, we will spend time exploring the lake and taking a short walk across the sand bars to the face of the Miles Glacier. Day 7: On this final day, we will row across Miles Lake, where we'll absorb the sights and sounds of Miles and Childs Glaciers as they calve huge icebergs into the river. We may stop just above the "Million Dollar Bridge" and walk to a vantage point where we can see the mighty face of the Child's Glacier calving into the river. This glacier runs directly into the river's path, forcing the water to take a hard left. The river, in turn, forces the glacier to shed large sheets of ice into the water. We will then float past this towing ice-wall and into the Copper River Delta, a place rich with wildlife and vistas. It's a continual battle between two powerful forces, each unwilling to yield to the other. The thunderous roar of a calving glacier is a sound you won't soon forget. The calving is most active during warm weather in July and August. We'll climb onto the riverbank and watch the glacier calve massive chunks of ice into the chilly waters of the Copper. It is important to be aware of the waves created by the crumbling glacier. They can sometimes throw water and ice 100 feet or more in the air. If the salmon are running, the waves will often blast fish onto the river's banks and strand them on the rocks. From the bridge, we will be shuttled to Cordova. Transportation back to Anchorage will be provided. Plan on arriving back in Anchorage in the early evening, unless you've decided to extend your stay in Cordova.
Getting There To reach Anchorage, you have several options. You can drive, take the ferry, or fly. Anchorage is 2,435 miles from Seattle and 4,649 miles from New York City. Clearly, driving is a serious commitment. The Alaska Marine Highway offers a unique alternative to cruising along Alaska's scenic coastline by ferry. Alaska port cities include Whittier, Seward, Homer, and Valdez, all of which are connected to Anchorage by road and rail. The majority of trip participants will fly into Anchorage, a city served by most major airlines. Do not schedule your arrival and departure times too tightly; allow some flexibility in your flight plans. Don't forget to ask for a window seat! For more information about Anchorage and the wide variety of day trips and excursions from the city, contact the Anchorage Visitor Center, at (907) 276-4118, or www.anchorage.net. The trip ends in Cordova. If you have time, you may want to spend a night or more there. Nestled peacefully at the head of Orca Inlet in Prince William Sound, the town will dazzle you with glacier-carved mountains, wildlife-rich wetlands, lush forests, and countless waterways. Cordova is a center for sea kayaking, hiking, wildlife photography, and fishing. From Cordova, Alaska Airlines flies to Anchorage and Juneau. It is close to Valdez, which is easily reached, and the Alaska Ferry stops in Valdez. The trip leader will be happy to help you plan your return trip. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore the incredible state of Alaska! You could, for example, extend your stay in Anchorage and spend a few days exploring the Kenai Peninsula by car. Or you could take the Alaska Railroad to Seward and tour Kenai Fjords National Park. You could also take the Alaska Railroad to Denali and spend a day or two exploring the park. Or stop in Talkeetna on the way to Denali and go fishing with one of the local guides. Since you're already here, you might as well stay for a while and enjoy even more of scenic Alaska.
Our trip will begin in Anchorage on day 1 and will end in Cordova on day 7. We will meet in Anchorage the night before the trip for a pre-trip orientation. This meeting is essential so please plan to arrive in Anchorage by the afternoon of the day before the start of the trip. All meals -- from lunch on day one to lunch on day seven -- are included in the trip price. Delicious, well-balanced meals with fresh ingredients will be cooked every day in camp. Breakfasts may include French toast, pancakes, omelets, or Dutch oven-baked muffins. Lunches will often consist of build-your-own sandwiches, with ripe avocado, tomato, and lettuce to top them off. We'll enjoy everything from Italian to Mexican to Thai for dinner, often with fresh-baked brownies or cake for dessert. Juices, coffee, tea, and cocoa will be provided. You may bring moderate amounts of soda or alcoholic beverages in cans or plastic bottles. We will eat very well thanks to the amazing carrying capacity of our rafts and plenty of cooler space. The guides will do all the cooking, but you are welcome to help out in the kitchen if you wish. This trip is vegetarian-friendly. Please inform the trip leader of any dietary restrictions well in advance of our departure date.
This is a trip of intermediate difficulty. Participants must be in good health and physical condition, and take pride in making adverse conditions an adventure, not an ordeal. Flexibility is the key to an enjoyable Alaskan wilderness experience. This trip is suitable for first-time rafters, but due to the length of the trip, you should have some prior wilderness camping experience. The river is generally fast and somewhat turbulent; we will encounter some Class III rapids. You will be expected to assist in loading and unloading duffels and other equipment from the rafts, and attend to your own campsite. Fortunately, the rafts will be doing the hard work of carrying our gear downriver, so we will have lots of time to float, hike, take pictures, watch for wildlife, and share our experiences. Alaska weather is changeable. Temperatures may reach the 80s on clear days,
but will likely range between the 40s and the 70s. Winds coming across the
glaciers can add a significant wind-chill factor to overcast days. It is wise
to prepare for pesky insects. We will hope for ideal conditions and be prepared
for the unpredictability of wild nature.
Each person will be issued two waterproof bags -- about the size of large pillowcases -- to hold gear and clothing. In addition, a waterproof ammunition can or small drybag will be supplied to hold items such as a camera or binoculars that you need accessible while you're on the river. Lifejackets, plates, cups, and utensils will also be provided. Typically, July and August are the warmest and among the driest months. Weather in the Copper River corridor is very changeable. Sun, rain, wind, fog, and more are common. Often, days are filled with sun and temperatures range from the 40's to the mid 80's, but cold rain and wind are equally possible. Nights are cooler with lows typically in the 40's and 50's. Clothing should work well in layers to accommodate weather changes. Waterproof outerwear is essential. You will need a good three- or four-season, low-profile tent with rainfly (tents are provided), sleeping bag (sleeping gear can be rented), and shoes for hiking in tundra and creek drainages. Knee-high rubber boots are highly recommended, but neoprene booties will be provided. Tents, sleeping bags, and pads are available for rent. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants.
Maps: •
Trails Illustrated (1:375,000): "Wrangell-St Elias National Park" Books: Websites: • Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park Conservation John Muir believed that the best way to persuade people to fight for the preservation of wilderness was to take people into nature and let them experience it for themselves. It was Muir's philosophy that led to the creation of Sierra Club Outings in 1902. Sierra Club outings are devised to inspire conservation along with memorable outdoor experiences. We will experience firsthand why the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations have taken such a strong stand against efforts to despoil our natural heritage. Southeast Alaska is no longer remote from the influences of the industrialized world. Oil exploration and extraction, cruise ship traffic, expanded tourism, mining activities, intensive and expanding exploitation of marine fisheries, and climate change all pose threats to the biodiversity of Alaska's ecosystems and their sustained productivity. We will discuss past and present human impacts on the Copper River and its wild salmon runs. Most importantly, we will learn some of what must happen to protect this fragile and unique landscape. A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty
of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. Travel in Alaska and the Arctic Sierra Club outings in Alaska are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You’re in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they’ll provide all the guidance you need.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Mandy Mosher has led Sierra Club trips for several years, mostly in the Southwest and western U.S., and believes that we all need wilderness to revive our souls from the busy, crazy world in which we live. Being in the wilderness allows us to be mindful and real. Mandy hopes you will enjoy and advocate for protection of the beautiful places you will experience.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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