Fortymile River Raft Adventure

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            A vast mountainous area bordering Alaska and Canada, the Yukon is home to extremes of both season and topography, creating an environment of unparalleled beauty and variety. While associated with the famous Klondike Gold Rush, the Fortymile sees very few humans and is home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons, bear, moose, caribou and wolves.
            This is a rafting adventure for those that desire to leave the others behind and wander deeper into our diminishing wilderness. The Fortymile, nationally designated as Wild and Scenic, is an alternatingly fast and intimate river, (Class II & III) flowing past cliffs in a narrow winding valley before reaching the mighty Yukon. The river valleys are also an open book to the tremendous geologic forces that are caused these ancient mountains to push upward and evolve.
            From Anchorage we will head northward by road to Cantwell and across the spectacular Denali Highway to camp at the base of Gulkana Glacier. From here we continue on to the remote outpost of Eagle on the Yukon River, to spend the night in our historical cabins there before flying out by bush plane the next day to the headwaters of the river. Six days descending the Fortymile will bring us to its confluence with the Yukon and the gold rush ghost town of Fortymile. Another two days will bring us back to Eagle for an overnight, before heading south to camp and hike on the north side of Wrangell-St.Elias National Park. This is a seldom traveled wilderness river that allows one to feel the beauty and history of the Yukon, while the circular route provides a wonderful contrast with the "other" Alaskas.

Abbreviated Agenda singlekayak_small.jpg (2250 bytes)

Day  1      Depart Anchorage towards Denali National Park; stop in Cantwell; cross spectacular Denali Highway; camp at base of Gulkana Glacier
Day  2     Travel to Eagle on the Yukon; stops at Delta Junction, Tok and Chicken; visit abandoned gold dredge; overnight in our historic cabins in Eagle
Day  3     Morning gear preparation and exploration about Eagle; bush plane flights across Ogilvie Mountains to the Middle Fork of the Fortymile; put-in on old gravel airstrip at abandoned community of Joseph; float to camp
Day  4     Morning hike; North Fork joins the Middle Fork; rapids: The Chute and Bald Eagle; gravel bar camp between Bullion and Hutchinson Creeks
Day  5     Rapids: The Kink, a historic feature that is now a class V; portage (or run if some are inclined . . .); afternoon scramble to a ridge near camp.
Day 6 Visit old community of Steele Creek and gold dredge; rapids: Deadman's Riffle; camp at the confluence with Moose Creek just inside US border
Day  7     Cross into Canada and through Canyon Rapids; arrive at mouth and Yukon River; camp across from abandoned gold rush town of Fortymile; exploration
Day  8     Float Yukon through Dozen Islands; visit fishcamp; camp on island
Day  9     Cross border back into US; arrive in Eagle; exploration; overnight in cabins
Day  10     Travel through Mentasta Mtns.; camp on bluff overlooking Copper River
Day  11     Return to Anchorage, via the Glenn Highway; early evening arrival

View Detailed Itinerary

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Please note that this trip does not have set departure dates in that it is run on a custom basis only, for groups larger than four persons. If wishing to book this trip with less than four, please call our office to determine if we have received inquiries from others for the same approximate dates. Thank You!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Trip cost includes all modes of transportation, lodging, meals, equipment and guiding, with additional information and a suggested personal equipment list sent upon deposit. When camping, there will be two persons to each tent designed for three, with a 3/4 length sleeping pad provided. Moderate physical fitness is desirable as this is a wilderness trip with hiking and outdoor activities, though it is not strenuous. Group size limited to eight persons.

If this sounds of interest to you, give us a call at (800) 365-7057 or E-Mail us your postal address to ADVENAK@advebalaska.com and we'll send a full brochure. Thanks!

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