I am interested in a 30-60 day river raft trip in Alaska...what rivers would be good for this type of trip.?

Question

Floating in 18 ft. raft, fishing alway a plus, level 3 rapids ok...I just dont want to flip and not real encourage about a portage...I have average white water skills. Due to financial factors, I cannot use an outfitter, but will be traveling from the midwest in truck. Prepared to consider this a once in a lifetime trip. Also interested in best time of the year, considering snow, cold, rain and mosquitoes. I am not real certain how this internet ask it program works...so if you have additional information and want to discuss on telephone or via email, please advise. I am a sponge for additional information about such a trip.

Answer 1

The list would pretty much start and end with the Yukon River. Put in and take out points could vary, but anything else drains too quickly, too fast and/or is too short to last a month or two.

But the Yukon - if you can be free for 30-60 days - WOW! Put in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and float past Dawson City, YK and then into Alaska past Eagle and Circle (all places to resupply). Then onto to the Dalton Highway "Haul Road" where the Alaska Pipeline crosses the Yukon. That's a great month-long trip. Longer if you camp out multiple nights in different spots to explore around.

Continuing past the pipeline crossing makes it more of an expediation. The downstream settlements are MUCH smaller - just native villages, and off the road system. So you can't hitch or drive back. And air chartering or air cargoing your stuff back ain't cheap.

But if you take out at the Pipeline, you could hitch back to Whitehorse in a few days. Have stuff to make a big sign, "Rafted from Whitehorse, need to get back now." and someone like me would give you a ride just to hear your trip report.

Whitewater in Alaska is a problem. With glacial rivers at 40F, anyone going in the water is suddenly a survival situation. It is great that you have those skills, but the Yukon is so big as to be pretty tame the whole way.

Fish: trout and whitefish and grayling are always there. Salmon are more towards July/August.

Weather: May is often pretty clear and stable weather. Already 18-19 hours of light up there (how much do you need?) but the water is cold. The bugs often haven't breed up yet. If there are still some freezing nights, that really knocks the bugs down.

By June/July the bugs are full tilt. By August forests fires sometimes make the air smokey and hazy. But the water is warmer by then.

Bears and caribou ought to be plentiful any time.

There is a shuttle service at least out of Circle for rafters - look into that and into bus service along the Alaskan Highway - you could get back to your vehicle that way.

Read "Coming into the Country" by John McPhee. 30 years old, but still the best intro to Alaskan people, geography, and politics. Part of it discusses Eagle (right on the Yukon) and another 1/3 of it is about a canoe/kayak trip on a more northern river.

Also, get "The Milepost", about $25. it is the bible for northern road trips. All the NW Canada and AK highways are described in detail, mile by mile and the guides and suppliers along the way identified.

Answer 2

Obama. He could be up for the holiday and make it an particularly exciting holiday. The river can throw curves at you & Obama could be waiting to conform with 'new/unique/ circumstances. i do no longer comprehend if McCain might stay to tell the tale or no longer - plus he's grouchy and glued in his (or 'w's) procedures.Plus if he can no longer comb his very own hair i do no longer comprehend how he might paddle. He ought to have a siezure.All he might say all day long could be 'stinkin' corpse' - it quite isn't precious and accomplishes no longer something. Loser holiday.

Answer 3

Youkon River