The Alsek Expedition: Journey Flow
The following is a generalized flow of events. A wilderness expedition requires flexibility. Our schedule adapts to weather conditions, wildlife sightings, and the dynamics of the river system. Trips are typically 13 to 15 days long, and actual daily travel varies accordingly.
Day 0: Arrival in Haines, AK
Arrive in Haines in time for our essential 4:00 PM pre-trip orientation meeting. You will be staying at the Hotel Halsingland (lodging included this night), where we will gather for introductions and logistics. Meals on your own this day.
Arrive in Haines in time for our essential 4:00 PM pre-trip orientation meeting. You will be staying at the Hotel Halsingland (lodging included this night), where we will gather for introductions and logistics. Meals on your own this day.
Day 1: The Shuttle to the Yukon
We depart at 7:00 AM, tracing the Chilkat Valley across the US-Canada border. The drive takes us to the community of Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory for lunch. From there, we transition to rugged 4-wheel drive tracks to reach our launch site at Serpentine Creek. Depending on the weather, we will either camp at the put-in or push off for our first camp downstream.
We depart at 7:00 AM, tracing the Chilkat Valley across the US-Canada border. The drive takes us to the community of Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory for lunch. From there, we transition to rugged 4-wheel drive tracks to reach our launch site at Serpentine Creek. Depending on the weather, we will either camp at the put-in or push off for our first camp downstream.
Days 2–3: The Kluane & The Grizzlies
The first few days are about floating through the heart of Kluane National Park. This is premier grizzly bear and moose country. Keep binoculars and cameras accessible as we drift through this pristine habitat. Time and conditions permitting, we will plan a layover day to hike Goatherd Mountain for close-up views of the resident mountain goats.
The first few days are about floating through the heart of Kluane National Park. This is premier grizzly bear and moose country. Keep binoculars and cameras accessible as we drift through this pristine habitat. Time and conditions permitting, we will plan a layover day to hike Goatherd Mountain for close-up views of the resident mountain goats.
Days 4–8: Ice Fields and White Water
After crossing the iceberg-studded Lowell Lake, the river gains speed and volume. The terrain narrows, revealing dramatic hanging glaciers and massive talus slopes. This segment hosts the primary rapids of the trip. We gear up in dry suits and scout Lava North Rapid before proceeding. The expedition then reaches Blackadar Camp for the highlight logistics: a scenic helicopter portage over the unrunnable Turnback Canyon gorge.
After crossing the iceberg-studded Lowell Lake, the river gains speed and volume. The terrain narrows, revealing dramatic hanging glaciers and massive talus slopes. This segment hosts the primary rapids of the trip. We gear up in dry suits and scout Lava North Rapid before proceeding. The expedition then reaches Blackadar Camp for the highlight logistics: a scenic helicopter portage over the unrunnable Turnback Canyon gorge.
Days 9–11: Confluence of Giants
We reach the Tatshenshini Confluence, where the river becomes one of the largest on the west coast. The Alsek is now a vast, silt-laden maze of braids, constantly shifting across the landscape. Glaciers dominate the horizon, and we will plan to camp near the base of Walker Glacier.
We reach the Tatshenshini Confluence, where the river becomes one of the largest on the west coast. The Alsek is now a vast, silt-laden maze of braids, constantly shifting across the landscape. Glaciers dominate the horizon, and we will plan to camp near the base of Walker Glacier.
Days 12–13: Alsek Lake
Alsek Lake is a dynamic world unto itself, where icebergs the size of houses calve off active glaciers. We spend these days navigating amongst the electric-blue bergs, listening to the roar of the cracking ice before paddling across the lake and re-entering the main current toward the Pacific.
Alsek Lake is a dynamic world unto itself, where icebergs the size of houses calve off active glaciers. We spend these days navigating amongst the electric-blue bergs, listening to the roar of the cracking ice before paddling across the lake and re-entering the main current toward the Pacific.
Last Day: Dry Bay and Departure
We reach the remote fishing outpost of Dry Bay on the last river day of the trip. From here, a chartered bush plane awaits to fly us to Yakutat, AK. Weather permitting, you can catch the daily Alaska Airlines jet from Yakutat to Juneau (or Anchorage) that afternoon. If you are on the 15-day version of the trip, you will spend your last night in the comfort of the Alsek River Adventure Cabins, with hot showers and a fresh salmon dinner, then fly to Yakutat the next day.
We reach the remote fishing outpost of Dry Bay on the last river day of the trip. From here, a chartered bush plane awaits to fly us to Yakutat, AK. Weather permitting, you can catch the daily Alaska Airlines jet from Yakutat to Juneau (or Anchorage) that afternoon. If you are on the 15-day version of the trip, you will spend your last night in the comfort of the Alsek River Adventure Cabins, with hot showers and a fresh salmon dinner, then fly to Yakutat the next day.
Please Note: The flight from Yakutat to Juneau/Anchorage is not included in your trip price, as many guests prefer to book it along with their connecting flights homeward.
