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Few
one-day rafting adventures can match
the level of rushing whitewater and
powerful vistas found on the Copper
Oar trip down the remote Kennicott
River, through Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park. The fun begins near the hamlet
of McCarthy at the base of the Root
and Kennicott glacial moraine, where
the Kennicott River begins its steep
descent away from these towering ice
fields. After gearing up and participating
in a thorough safety presentation,
you head off downriver for 45 minutes
of delightful and challenging Class
II and III rapids. A stop below the
whitewater lets you marvel at a panorama
that includes views of the Wrangell
and Chugach mountain ranges jutting
skyward.
Next up-the confluence of the Nizina
River, where a broad, open plain promises
the opportunity to spot bear, eagle,
and even the occasional wolf or moose.
After a satisfying, deli-style lunch,
you head into narrow Nizina Canyon.
Here, towering walls form tight corners
and create powerful currents that spin
and twist their way downriver. In this
stretch you'll feel the quiet isolation
of Wrangell-St. Elias. Watch for wildlife
in the canyon, including falcons that
in years past have nested in the cliffs.
When the Nizina reaches the mighty
Chitina River, you pull ashore, but
the adventure continues. After gathering
on a riverside gravel bar, you'll meet
your Alaska bush pilot for a spectacular
30-minute flightseeing trip up to
and around the glaciers from where
you started.
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