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Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your Alaska
Adventure Travel Trip?
Destination
Wilderness offers an exceptionally selection of Alaska wilderness rafting and
adventure travel trips, one of the most diverse and spectacular available.
These trips are run by our Alaska affiliate outfitter, Copper Oar. Copper Oar
is partially owned by and trips led in part by guides who worked for
Destination Wilderness when it operated trips in Alaska directly. From one-day
raft and flightsee tours to week long rafting journeys to two-week
multi-activity wilderness expeditions, Copper Oar outfits trips that are
suitable for anyone seeking the best of the Last Frontier. Consider all that we
provide on this great land:
Your
Choice:
 It
is Your Trip Not Ours. We have been running Alaska adventure travel tours
for years and years and believe that the best trip is the trip you desire. We
provide a foundation of safety and seamless logistics, and have a wealth of
knowledge about Alaska. From there we create the trip you want, adjusting our
style to your wants and needs rather than asking you to fit into our
agenda.
A Variety of
Trip Options. With Destination Wilderness you can choose between a variety
of Alaska adventure trips including camp or camp/lodge combination trips. We
also offer a broad choice of trip lengths and types. And, we are happy to offer
custom charter trips to groups.
 Your Safety:
Guides That Live in
Alaska. Destination Wilderness and Copper Oar, one of the longest
established outfitters operating in Alaska backcountry, are both owned by Ken
Streater. Copper Oar is located in McCarthy, Alaska, in the heart of the
largest national park in the U.S, and serves as the base for all Destination
Wilderness' Alaska trips. Guides that work for Copper Oar and Destination
Wilderness are primarily Alaska residents who know the nuances of Alaska river
running and long to share their experience and passion for Alaska with
you.
At Least Two
Boats and Two Guides Per River Rafting Trip. On all Alaska adventure trips
with rafting we always have at least two licensed guides on the water. We
believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate staffing and that
just one guide on the water is not as effective as two or more. Therefore, we
always have at least two boats and two guides on each trip.
Full Safety Orientation and
Gear. Before the river rafting trip we provide a thorough safety and
instructional presentation. We also provide wetsuit paddle jackets as part of
the safety ensemble needed to raft Alaska rivers.
Your Comfort:
Smaller Group Size. Typically, our Alaska
adventure travel trips are limited to 12 guests plus guides. We have the
ability to take more at select times during the season, but we generally prefer
to keep group sizes reasonable in order to maximize your wilderness experience.
Personable Guest to
Guide Ratio. We run trips with one guide for every three to four guests, a
ratio that we feel enhances each guest's experience in terms of safety,
comfort, and good company!
Your
Satisfaction:
We are confident you will find your experience with Destination
Wilderness to be exceptionally rewarding!
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River Difficulty
The Discover Alaska
Adventure travels three rivers: the Kennicott, Nizina, and Chitina. The first
day in on the Kennicott, a class III-III+ river. It is a splashy, smaller
volume tributary to the Nizina. We run the Nizina through the Nizina Canyon, a
remote and tight abyss that features class III rapids. The Nizina then merges
with the Chitina, which is the largest tributary to the Copper river. The
Chitina is a large volume river with primarily class I and II stretches on its
entire course to the Copper.
 River Difficulty
Scale: Class I is flat water and Class VI is unrunnably difficult. Class II has
current with small waves and some obstacles.Class III rapids are fun and
thrilling, ideal for first-time and experienced rafters. Class IV whitewater is
great for experienced rafters and reasonable for fit first-timers who have had
some warm-up in class III. Class V is very difficult and for experienced river
rafters.
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Trip
Outline
Meeting
Time: Our shuttle driver will meet you in Valdez at the Valdez airport at 7:30
a.m. on the first day of your trip. We then drive to the town of Chitina or,
depending on group size, may fly from Valdez to McCarthy. Please be sure to eat
breakfast before the rendezvous. We may also be able to pick you up your hotel
in Valdez. Please contact our office for details.
These trips are eight
days long and include hiking, rafting, glacier touring, kayaking, and boating.
Each trip is designed to see a variety of Alaska's wildlife. We spend five
nights in classy and comfortable lodging, in a remote wilderness lodge and
aboard a luxurious motor yacht. We also spend two nights camped along the
river, with first-rate camping gear. The trip ends at the coastal town of
Whittier. From there, you'll van to Anchorage.
Daily Itinerary
Day One:
After meeting your pilot and
flightseeing guide in Valdez or Chitina, you will be flown over and around the
mountains and glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Upon landing in
McCarthy, we will head to the lodge where you will spend the first night. This
afternoon we explore the expansive and amazing Kennicott mine.
Day Two
On this day we explore dramatic Root
Glacier, where we hike with crampon ice cleats on this frozen wonderland. We
take time to explore the glacier's many incredible features including crevices,
crystal clear pools, and tiny rivulets. Walking on a glacier is a fascinating
experience. We eat lunch on the glacier before heading back to our overnight
accommodations near the ghost mine.
Day Three:
Today we hike away from the Kennicott
Valley and explore the McCarthy area backcountry. We hike along cascading
rivers and up to scenic passes. We also take time to investigate friendly
"downtown" McCarthy, which includes an interesting museum of the history of
this region. We spend another night in our cozy lodge.
 Days Four and Five:
This classic Alaska adventure travel
trip just keeps getting better! We begin the rafting trip and head down the
bouncy Kennicott river and the sinewy Nizina river. We merge with the Chitina
river and camp along its majestic banks. These rivers feature mild whitewater,
classic Alaska scenery, and pure solitude, as we float through the heart of
Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Day Five: We continue drifting down the
peaceful Chitina river as it winds its way towards the sea. We stop to explore
side river waterfalls, gigantic landslides, rich wildlife habitat, and more. We
float past several rivers that are known bear habitat, and hopefully catch a
glimpse of bear on the lookout for a tasty a salmon. We camp again on the banks
of the Chitina and marvel at the bright midnight sky that is the backdrop to
towering mountains both near and far.
Day Six:
After rafting the final stretch of the
Chitina we reach the confluence with the Copper River, and take-out early in
the day. From here we head into the hamlet of Chitina and check out a store of
local artisans and artifacts. We then drive to Valdez, where we board our
glorious motor launch. Replete with spacious berths, warm showers, and
exceptional comfort, we head out of Valdez harbor on this modern mini-ship and
begin our cruise across dramatic Prince William Sound. After a few hours of
motoring through this dramatic waterway we moor for the night in a quiet bay.
Day Seven:
Today we experience the wildlife-rich and glacier lined bays of the Gulf of
Alaska. We take time during the day to climb into stable kayaks and paddle
protected waters of Prince William Sound. We motor from one dramatic spot to
another, and likely see some of the many whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises,
eagle, terns, and bears that call this place home. We spend this night on board
the boat again, enjoying the creature comforts of this floating lodge.
Day Eight:
We head towards the western edge of Prince William Sound today, marveling
at the continuous Alaska beauty that unfolds before us. We reach the small town
of Whittier early this afternoon, participate in a celebration toast to this
great trip, and board our van for the scenic drive to Anchorage. We arrive in
Anchorage later this afternoon, in time for you to check into your
accommodations or catch a flight back home, filled with fresh memories of the
best of Alaska adventure travel!
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Getting
to Valdez
By Air:
Several regularly scheduled commercial flights
fly from Anchorage each day. Please contact us for details or assistance with
your flight from Anchorage.
By Ferry: From Anchorage take the train and/or bus to Whittier.
There, you can board the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry and travel across Prince
William Sound to Valdez. The ferry makes this run several times a week.
By Car:
You
can access Valdez from the lower 48 and points in Alaska. Simply travel to the
southernmost portion of the Richardson Highway (Alaska Highway 4), and you will
find Valdez! You can ferry to Valdez at the end of your trip and drive away!
Pre and Post-Trip
Transportation
Destination Wilderness provides all transportation from
Valdez to McCarthy at the beginning of the trip as well as transportation from
Whittier to Anchorage after the trip. We can also help arrange any
transportation you need between Anchorage or Valdez.
Where To Stay
We recommend lodging in Valdez the
night before your trip. The following establishments are located in downtown
Valdez, approximately 10 minutes from the airport:
Aspen Hotel:
866-483-7848
Keystone Inn: 907-835-3851
Totem Inn:
907-835-4443
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 Natural History
Alaska is easily described with superlatives. The largest state. The tallest
mountains. The biggest rivers. The most glaciers. The fewest roads. The most
dense population of bears. And on and on.
With one-fifth of the land
area of the lower 48 and more coastline than all states put together, Alaska
includes nearly 200 million acres of national parks, forests, wildlife
preserves, and other protected lands. Its 3,000 rivers, 35 mountain ranges, 3
million lakes, and thousands of coastline miles serve as the setting for the
best wilderness experiences in the U.S. And, even with trips such as our
Discover Alaska most of this Great Land is still untrammeled.
Perhaps
the best region of Alaska to explore in order to take in as much nature as
possible is the southcentral portion. Tucked quietly away from the larger
cities, this part of Alaska features the largest national park and protected
area in the world, the Copper river and its dynamic tributaries that host
gargantuan runs of salmon, the greatest concentration of North America’s
tallest peaks, more glaciers per square mile than anywhere in the U.S., and
craggy coastlines and emerald waters with prolific numbers of whales, sea
lions, seals, porpoise and more. Given that the portals to all of this are
easily accessed, this part of Alaska becomes a most desirable destination for
all those seeking ultimate Alaska highlights.
Among the most
spectacular areas within southcentral Alaska are the historically rich
McCarthy-Kennicott area, in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and
sparkling Prince William Sound, part of the powerful Gulf of Alaska. Both of
these areas host all that is described above, and more. At 13.2 million acres
Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest park in the U.S. Yet, in spite of being six
times the size of Yellowstone National Park, this unknown wilderness jewel gets
less than 30,000 visitors a year. When compared to Yellowstone’s 50,000
weekly visitors it is easy to see how wide-open and untrammeled Wrangell-St.
Elias is. Part of this is due to its isolation–McCarthy is the one truly
accessible “town” in the park. However it is these same
characteristics that enable Wrangell-St. Elias to maintain its natural state
and ranking as the largest protected wilderness area in the world.
Geologically, the mountains, glaciers, and valleys of Wrangell-St. Elias are
unique as well. Six of the ten tallest peaks in North America are found in the
park. Four major mountain ranges reach into and through this area: the
Wrangell, Alaska, Chugach, and St. Elias mountains, which includes 18,008-foot
Mount St. Elias. There is evidence of ongoing and cataclysmic volcanic and
glacial activity throughout the park, such as the volcanic steam that rises
from Mt. Wrangell and the Mile High Cliffs along the Nizina river. In addition,
the largest subpolar icefield in the world, and its countless glaciers, lie in
the park. One of those glaciers, Malaspina, measures 1,500 square miles–an
area larger than Rhode Island. Prince William Sound is equally impressive. Of
particular note is Columbia Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the
Chugach Mountains. This tidewater ice block, which is larger than the greater
Los Angeles area, cracks and splinters huge icebergs from its’ four-mile
wide face. Prince Willam Sound is also a place of amazing geologic activity.
The epicenter of the largest recorded earthquake in North America was in Prince
William Sound. This 1964 temblor flattened most of the towns of Valdez and
Cordova, and actually lifted up Montague Island 38 feet! Tidal waves over 100
feet pounded the shore during this cataclysmic event.
Today, Prince
William Sound has largely recovered from a man-made catastrophe, the Exxon
Valdez oil spill. Over 200,000 barrels of oil spilled into the sea in March,
1989. However, the $2 billion dollar clean-up effort and natural processes have
solidly brought back the wildlife and wilderness. Prince William Sound is again
glorious and vibrant. Humpback whale, Orca, harbor seal, Stellar sea lion, Dall
porpoise, and salmon galore swim in these waters as eagle fly overhead. The
flourishing nature, dramatic sights, and rich resources make it easy to
understand why people have long lived along the banks of the Sound. Friendly
towns such as Valdez, Cordova, and Whittier have long been home to generations
of rugged individualists. On this trip you can count yourself as one of the few
who have plied these waters and been witness to the bounty of Prince William
Sound.
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 Discover Alaska Adventure Travel Additional
Information
Experience Required
Discover Alaska is an excellent trip
that blends a variety of adventures and high quality comforts. Of note is the
fact that this trip includes four nights in classy accommodations and two
nights of deluxe camping. This is an ideal trip for those seeking both
wilderness and historic small-town Alaska experiences. First time adventurers
are welcome and thrive on this trip. While not strenuous or filled with
difficult whitewater, the river portion of this journey is in pure wilderness.
Our minimum age is eight. Your guides will gladly help with any aspect of our
trip that is new for you, whether that means setting up a tent or strapping on
crampons.
Participant Fitness And Activity Levels
Destination
Wilderness trips are created with active, curious, go-with-the-flow, and
nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our Discover Alaska trip is designed for
those with a zest for wilderness, moderate adventures and active participation.
While you should be fit and in good health for this trip, you need not be a
honed athlete. Participants on this trip should be fit, able to swim, and may
need to play a part in self-rescue should you fall out of the raft.
Weather
Wrangell
St. Elias National Park is located in southcentral Alaska. It is subject to
both coastal and interior weather patterns. Typically, July and August are the
warmest and among the driest months. Often, days are filled with sun and
temperatures range from the low 50's to the mid 80's. Nights are cooler, with
lows typically in the high 40's and 50's. The weather of Prince William Sound
is classic coastal Alaska: rain, fog, clouds, and crystal clear skies are all
possible. In fact rain and wind is likely at some point on this trip so you
should prepare accordingly.
Equipment
Destination Wilderness provides life jackets, waterproof river suits, rubber
boots, waterproof bags, tents, sleeping pads, camp chairs and eating utensils,
all the specialized adventure gear you need (except for sleeping bags that you
should provide). A complete list of what you should bring will be included in
your confirmation packet. Each person will have one waterproof ("dry") bag
(about the size of a large Hefty trash bag) in which clothing, toiletries,
sleeping bag, camp chair and other personal items will be kept. In addition, we
have available additional dry bags for tents and sleeping pads, and special day
bags and boxes for cameras, binoculars, etc. Do keep in mind that, although
slight, there is always a chance that any of your gear could get wet. Please
note that we are unable to provide sleeping bags.
Accommodations
The first three nights we spend in the rustic lodge near McCarthy and
Kennicott. These accommodations feature regular beds, flush toilets, and
showers. During the rafting portion for two nights we camp along the river in
pristine wilderness, usually on a sandy beach. In the case of rain, tarps are
set up over communal eating and sitting areas. We proudly practice
minimum-impact camping and carry out all trash. We carry a portable metal box
chemical toilet (similar to motorhome toilets) that is set up each evening in a
private and scenic spot away from the heart of the camping area. A system that
will be explained by your guides allows for all campers to know when the toilet
is in use. While on board the cabin cruiser the last two nights you will have
complete access to showers, flush toilets, and cozy berths to sleep in.
Wildlife and Wild
Plants
Wildlife is abundant in the Alaskan wilderness and, among other
animals, we may encounter bear, sheep, and moose. It is important to follow
your guides instruction to prevent or reduce the likelihood of unwelcome wild
animal encounters and to understand what to do in the case of an encounter.
Also, while they are generally not a major problem on this trip, those
sensitive to mosquitoes may want to bring along a mosquito net hat. There are
also, in places, thorny bushes (known as Devil's Club) or others that can cause
skin rashes. Please listen closely to your guides' instructions on how to
recognize these plants and what to do if you touch them.
Fishing
Alaska
requires you to have a fishing license if you intend to fish during your visit.
Your guide can help you obtain a license at the rendezvous. The fishing can be
quite good, with large Alaska salmon often caught (and then eaten!).
 Meals and Beverages
We serve gourmet meals prepared with
fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with every meal and
each afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. Please let us know if
you have special dietary needs or wants!
Charter Trips
We
are able and happy to offer special private charter trips for groups. For
groups of six or more we may be able to run trips on dates other than those
listed in this packet. Please contact our office for details.
Gratuities
It is
common to tip wilderness guides on adventure trips. It is not expected, but
always appreciated. If you are happy with your trip please let us and your
guide(s) know. Thanks!
Itinerary Changes
While we do everything possible to follow the itineraries in this packet
we may be forced to adjust trips due to reasons beyond our control. Therefore,
these itineraries are subject to change.
References
Many
of our past trip members have offered to speak with folks who are considering
our trips. We know we could blow our own horn until we are blue in the face
about the great time we feel you would have on our trips. So, we invite you to
contact us for a list of clients who have participated on Destination
Wilderness trips and we'll let them do the talking!
Destination
Wilderness/Copper Oar Guides
The pride of our outfit, our guides bring
a wealth of talent and experience to each trip we run. Destination
Wilderness/Copper Oar guides (and they are our guides not subcontracted
outfitters) have years and years of experience leading trips in the U.S. and
abroad. Each is licensed in first-aid and CPR. Furthermore, they create an
environment that fosters camaraderie and positive experiences. Simply put, they
care about what it is that YOU want from YOUR TRIP and do everything possible
to make that happen! We are confident that you will find your guides to be one
of the highlights of the adventure.
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Discover
Alaska Additional Information
