Alaska raft trip, Denali State Park rafting 4 day Chulitna River camping rafting trip.

Inflatable kayaking, whitewater kayaking and canoeing options are available. An excellent family Denali rafting adventure and sampling of Alaska's best wilderness and geography at a casual pace and an affordable price. The trip starts at the head of the Susitna Valley in the Alaska Range and runs down a swift clearwater stream holding king salmon and grayling. Then the Chulitna meets with glacial streams and swells down steep-walled canyons over 100 feet high. Next the river opens up into the grand Susitna Valley with incredible views of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Hunter and other peaks of the Alaska Range. We travel through Denali State Park, the upper Susitna Valley and take out near Trapper Creek, a historic town, where gold was discovered on Cache Creek in 1906. We often see grizzly and black bears, bald eagles and fur-bearers. View some of Alaska's most beautiful scenery.

ITINERARY **
Day 1 - We'll pick you up at your hotel around 6:30 AM and depart for our 186 mile scenic drive to our put-in on the East Fork of the Chulitna River. We'll make a number of stops along the way to view the scenery and take photos of Mt. McKinley and other peaks of the Alaska Range. We'll meet our river guides at the Middle Fork of the Chulitna River and get ready for a speedy descent down this clearwater, boulder-strewn stream. This is a fun, splashy and busy section of the river, with boulders requiring almost constant maneuvering. You can see spawning King salmon beneath you as you float downstream. Keep your eyes open on the banks, because bears come down to the river to feed on the salmon. We often see bears in the upper part of this trip. The Alaska Railroad travels next to the river for a short way. You can almost see the river gaining water and strength as it flows down the foothills.

Day 2 - After the river meets with the East Fork, the Chulitna gains strength and enters a series of sedimentary canyons reaching 100 feet high. You can see fossils and seams of coal as you travel quickly by. Kayakers and inflatable boaters will enjoy the hydraulics, boils and eddies made as the river flows down the canyons. Then the river opens into the broad Susitna Valley where you are treated to sweeping views of a classic Alaska glacial valley. The river braids continuously, and river channel selection becomes an art. In the valley we are treated to wonderful views of Mt. McKinley and the rolling foothills of the Alaska Range. Bald Eagles often perch on the cottonwood trees or the driftwood in search of King salmon.

Day 3 - On the third day, we continue through the wide, flat, sandy Chulitna River valley in the larger Susitna Valley. The mood of this stretch of the river is calming and reflective. You are truly in Alaska wilderness and the sweeping expanses will give you a new perspective on man's role in the world. After lunch we will travel under the Parks Highway bridge and through some lower canyons looking for the perfect camp site.

Day 4 - We break camp early this morning and head for our takeout near Trapper Creek, a historic gold mining town. If wish to continue your vacation with an added visit to Denali National Park, our takeout is timed so that you can catch a ride on our Denali Bus to Denali National Park. If you're not continuing on to Denali Park we will shuttle you back to Anchorage and your hotel. Click here for Denali Park Adventures.

Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 1397 Seward, Alaska USA 99664 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159

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