Rafting in Alaska
 

We are heading to Alaska on June 2 for 2 weeks, would like suggestions for level 2,3,4 rafting. Will have rental car. We have Toursaver Book.

The rafting in Alaska isn't as good, in my opinion as other areas. :) But Nenana and on the Kenai Peninsula are scenic spots. If going white water- be certain to inquire about DRY suits- the water is usually freezing.

The Nenana (Denali area) was the only place we saw any rafting and there were very few on the river. It looked like chocolate milk--not very enticing to us.

You might give these guys a call: http://www.anc-biz.com/alaskariverrats/ I think Eagle River in suburban Anchorage is likely to be your best bet, if they start that early.

Note that early June will be maximum runoff period and some Class II-III streams might be awful big - not so much whitewater as really high, turbulent, fastfastfast water. Also lots of sweepers and other menaces to navigation. The water will be extremely cold as will the air near the rivers. Might be lots of fun, might be miserable.

We are going to alaska on june 11 and we've booked a river float on the kenia river out of cooper's landing with Alaska River Adventure. They were recommended by the Seward Military Resort where we are staying in Seward.

That might be another option for you.

We went whitewater rafting on Six Mile Creek with Nova and had a blast. The creek has three seperate canyons, the first two rated at class 4 and the third rated at class 5. There are areas of slower water between the three canyons.

The water was clear and cold. The creek is fed from snow melt not glacier melt. They supply dry-suits and since your paddling you won't notice the cold. You will have to take a small swim test before the trip that is really just floating down slow water for about 50 yards. About 200 yards before the take out they let you get out of the raft and float down the rest of the way for a celebration.

If you wear eye glasses (like I do) you will need to get a pair of Croakies to hold them on.

Nova was a very professional company that also has glacier hikes on the Matanuska Glacier. We went on the glacier hike also. The prices are a little cheaper with combination packages.

Nova also offers whitewater trips on (I think) the Lionhead River, But the water class has a lower rating and I belive is a river with glacier silt.Glacier silt is pulverized rock from the glacier ice that comes out when the ice melts and it makes the water look like chocolate milk as Connie described.

Six Mile Creek is considered Alaska's best whitewater and we know it's the best we've ever done. The creek is located about 60 miles south of Anchorage just off the Seward Hwy.

Here is Nova's info and they can give you all the info you will need to go.

Nova, 907-745-5753
www.novalaska.com
www.nova-alaska.com

You WILL have a GREAT time and if you have any other questions about our trip just ask.

Thanks everyone for the info. Will post articles about our trip when we return. Thanks again.