Alsek River Hiking & Rafting
TRIP DETAILS
Join us for an adventure of a lifetime on our Alsek River Hiking and Rafting trip! The Alsek River is an international wilderness river that flows from the Yukon Territory of Canada to the Gulf of Alaska. It is home to the largest concentration of grizzly bears in Canada and a wide variety of other wildlife.
On this trip, we will paddle roughly 50 miles from near the Yukon village of Haines Junction to Lowell Glacier in comfortable 16 and 18-ft. oar rafts. We’ll have several layover days to explore the surrounding forests, ridges, and valleys and to accommodate inclement weather. Our trip will take us through the heart of Kluane National Park, where we’ll experience some of the wildest scenery on earth.
We’ll enjoy gourmet camp food around the campfire and sleep in comfortable tents with plush sleeping pads. This true wilderness expedition has its challenges, and the weather is not always our friend, but with the help of our seasoned guides, this trip is suitable for those with a thirst for adventure and a reasonable level of personal fitness.
Our itinerary includes an orientation meeting in Haines, AK, van transportation to the put-in near Haines Junction, and rafting and hiking for 7 days while keeping a lookout for wildlife. We’ll spend two days at Lowell Lake to soak in the ice age vista and hike Goatherd Mountain for a close-up view of the resident mountain goats. On the seventh day, we’ll break down camp and take an exhilarating helicopter ride back to civilization.
Join us on this unforgettable adventure on the Upper Alsek River!
ITINERARY
Here’s a rough outline of what to expect on the trip. Keep in mind that things may change, and flexibility is important.
Day 1: Aug 7 – Arrive in Haines, AK by 4 pm for our orientation meeting at Hotel Halsingland. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to hike to nearby Battery Point or take an early dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
Day 2: Aug 8 – We’ll depart at 7 am by van, crossing the Canadian border with your passport, and make our way up the Chilkat Valley to Haines Junction. After lunch, we’ll hike 5 miles down a rough jeep trail to our launch site at Serpentine Creek. Depending on the weather, we may camp here at the put-in or push off for a camp downstream.
Day 3-4: Aug 9 – 10 -These are our bear-spotting and hiking days. Kluane National Park and Preserve is home to grizzly bears and moose, so keep your camera and binoculars close. On Day 3, we’ll make frequent stops to explore on foot and look for wildlife. On Day 4, we’ll cover more ground by rafting through the heart of the Grizzly Bear Special Preservation Area, while still keeping an eye out for our furry friends.
Days 5-6: Aug 11-12 – We’ll spend two days at Lowell Lake, admiring the ice age scenery and hiking Goatherd Mountain. This is an advanced hike with some exposed bouldering, so some may choose to hike along the iceberg-studded lake instead.
Day 7: Aug 13 – This is our take-out day. After breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and take an exhilarating helicopter ride back to Haines, Alaska. Your driver will be waiting for you at the helicopter pad to take you back to civilization.
