River Running Tatshenshini, Alaska

We had the opportunity for a true wilderness river experience floating 13 days on the Tatshenshini-Alsek River, in Alaska/Canada. 140-mile (255-kilometer) trip from Yukon’s Dalton Post to Alaska’s Dry Bay so sublime as it is the scenery.

Since we were experienced river raft runners we decided it was time to try something different and possibly more challenging.  We opened the possibilities of running the Tatshenshini with a few friends and next thing we knew we had plans in the making.   

The Tatshenshini River flows south through British Columbia's highest mountain range to its confluence with the Alsek River.

We floated through a deep gorge, on the Tatshenshini Class III white water before slowing down for views of grizzly bears and making camp. The trip was just getting started.  The river flows into the Alsek in British Columbia’s Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, and it is surrounded by massive glaciers, many of which calve giant chunks of ice into Lake Alsek.

The waters of the Tatshenshini flow slate-gray with the silted melt waters of the surrounding glaciers and snowfields. Numerous side streams add to the flow until the braided "Tat" becomes a mile wide.  

We made camp on a small island in the middle of the lake to relax, enjoy martini's and take in the views.

This lake, the largest glacier-dammed lake in North America, is the center of attraction on the river trip. (Consider taking a few extra days to hike the banks of the Tatshenshini and Walker Glacier inside the park.)

Icebergs can be seen and heard breaking off glacial faces into Alsek Lake near the end of the trip. 

The Alsek leaves the glacial lake and icebergs make the voyage to the sea alongside the raft for extra excitement.  Their rumblings along the bottom of the river will be a sound we won't ever forget.

Here the air is crisp and clean, and the sky -- when it is clear -- is a brilliant blue. Wildflowers line the riverbanks, and the valleys are verdant green against a backdrop of rugged gray peaks cloaked in ice and snow.

Wildlife can be plentiful on this Alaskan adventure. Eagles are abundant and they soar overhead while shore birds scurry along the water's edge.



As we hike and float through this beauty, there will be plenty of time for photography, drawing, or just relaxing and enjoying the views, the silence, and the solitude.

Take out is a bitter sweet experience and packing up is drawn out just so we can continue to revel in this countryside.

After a beautiful adventurous trip, we flew back to Haines in a small aircraft high over the snow covered peaks.