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Stikine River Rafting
Our signature trip, beginning in Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, involves five days on the water, plus travel time from Wrangell to Telegraph Creek. Areas of interest include Shakes Glacier, Andrews Clearwater Creek, Cottonwood Slough, Garnet Ledge and the Stikine Delta tidal flats. Alaska Vistas is a licensed United States Forest Service guide/outfitter authorized to operate on the Tongass National Forest. We can arrange a number of unique float trips down the Stikine River; trips on the American side of the border can range from one to three days in length.
The Telegraph Creek-Wrangell rafting trip includes a flightseeing trip to the put-in point, allowing for an overview of the river valley and a special view of the Stikine Icefield.
Fully Guided 9-day Trip. Not whitewater, but not for the very unfit. $2600
per person (complete: includes all transportation from Wrangell, lodging,
meals, camping gear, permits, and fees). This price does not include 7% Wrangell
City tax.
See below for a complete itinerary.
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Rafting The Stikine: Telegraph
Creek, British Columbia, to Wrangell, Alaska
May 30 - June 7
If you're looking for a journey into history along with breathtaking
scenery, Alaska Vistas' signature trip -- The Stikine River rafting trip --
is designed for you. This is not a whitewater experience: the
few rapids we encounter might barely get you wet, but the majestic
scenery will leave you in awe.
The mighty Stikine is the fastest
free-flowing navigable river in North America. With glacier-capped
peaks over 10,000 feet standing guard, and average summer flows
of 180,000 cfs, it is one of only five rivers that wind their
way through the Coast Mountains between Canada and the US. Although
we have traveled through this corridor time after time, we still
marvel at the grandeur of the valley it has carved on its journey
to the coast.
Each trip begins and ends in Wrangell. A spectacular
flight to our put-in at Telegraph Creek B.C., Canada is included
in the price. The price of $2,600 per person
includes all transportation, lodging, meals, camping gear, and
taxes. An optional price of $2,400 does not include transport,
lodging and meals in Wrangell. Although we can provide sleeping
bags, we recommend everybody bring their own (plan for overnight lows
of around freezing in May, and the mid-40s F (about 7°C) in July).
Lodging and meals in Wrangell are provided at Harding's Old Sourdough
Lodge. Rooms are double occupancy. Single occupancy rooms are available
at an added cost of $200. All confirmed reservations require a deposit
of 10%. Within four weeks of your trip date, we need an additional
40% bringing the total deposit to 50%. The remaining 50% is due
upon arrival in Wrangell. We feel this payment policy is fair
and therefore do not offer any refunds unless for some unlikely
reason we, at Alaska Vistas, cancel the trip. If Alaska
Vistas cancels the trip, all deposits will naturally be refunded.
Prices do not include Wrangell city tax of 7%.
Day 1 Arrive in Wrangell. Transportation
to Harding's Old Sourdough Lodge. Dry bags will be issued. Orientation
dinner with guides. Personal gear will be reviewed. Guests are
asked to pack personal gear for pick-up and transport to Telegraph Creek the next morning.
Day 2 Breakfast at Harding’s. Gear will be
collected in the morning for transport to Telegraph Creek. Transport
to the airport and Sunrise Aviation for
a spectacular flight over the Stikine Icefields, view the plains of
Mt Edziza, and search for mountain goats on your way to Telegraph Creek.
Explore the historic town of Telegraph Creek and begin your journey
down the mighty Stikine. Tonight we'll spend the night on a plateau
above the Mess River and Buck's Riffle, where gold was first
discovered in 1863.
Days
3 - 7 On the river, drifting from our first camp to
Great Glacier. Your guides will choose camp stops based on
group activity and weather. Guests will enjoy time to explore
and hike, or simply relax by the fire. Gourmet meals, tales of
the north, the peace and tranquility of lands far away from the
bustles of everyday life are just a part of the adventure. We
will generally spendless than than 4 hours on the river each
day, allowing for plenty of opportunities to explore and more. Camps
scenes are varied as the topography and natural history of the route
changes as we pass through the Coast Mountains. We are following the
trail of '98, in the footsteps of the great naturalist John Muir. Glaciers
and mountains surround us as we look for moose, bear, goats and
wolves.
Day
8 Drift to Great Glacier where we will hike
through the rainforest to the moraine lake for lunch. After lunch
we continue downstream past the confluence of the Iskut River
to the historic Border House.
Day 9 Jet boat pick up with tour of Shakes
lake and Cottonwood Slough. Return to Wrangell in time for hot
showers before dinner at Harding's.
All trips are limited to ten people with a minimum of four.
The itinerary may vary due to the height of the river and the
needs of our clients. Please be aware that the weather in SE
Alaska is unpredictable, and flexibility is a necessity of travel.
At Alaska Vistas, safety is our priority in all decisions.
