Paddling Alaska: Kayak, Canoe, Paddleboard, and Raft the Greatest Fresh Waters in the State by Dan Maclean

Author:Dan Maclean [Maclean, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Non-Fiction, Travel, Guide, Adventure, Outdoors, United States, Illustrated
ISBN: 9781493067350
Publisher: Falcon Guides
Published: 2023-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

excellent fishing holes and established, but unofficial, camping spots. Line up on the right side of the bank when you spot the landing. The short beach is right in front of the point on a gravel bar. This is the last boat takeout before the Class III (IV at high water) rapids of Kenai Canyon, and you must pull over here if you don’t want to run the canyon. (There is a foot trail that parallels the right bank on the upper 2 miles of the canyon if you need to leave in an emergency, but there are no more boat pull-outs).

The Kenai Canyon has large standing waves and boulders. It is best run in a cataraft by experienced, alert boaters. It is also run by experienced, knowledgeable boaters in drift boats. If running it in a river kayak, your skills must be excellent since waves will likely break over your head. Once you start to float the canyon, you are committed. You can scout the water from the hiking trails that parallel the canyon before putting-in. Park at the clearly marked and developed trailheads on Skilak Lake Road, then walk to scout the canyon if it will be your first time running it. Once you are in the canyon, visibility of upcoming water tends to be good if you are sitting high on a raft. The canyons last for 2 miles and can be quite a good, cold thrill.

The river slows and breaks into many small channels as it enters the still water of Skilak Lake. Follow the left fork to Doroshin Bay. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge operates the Doroshin Bay Cabin, a four-person public use cabin available by reservation. The trail to the cabin can be difficult to spot from a boat, so the GPS coordinates of the cabin can be handy: N60.42622' / W150.14062'.

Follow channels to the right to head directly toward the takeout at the Upper Skilak Campground. Lots of very large bears congregate where the Kenai River enters Skilak Lake, especially by the sloughs where Hidden Creek enters. Tent camping here is not a good idea.

The water of Skilak Lake is dangerous. Winds can pick up suddenly, churning enormous waves. If you capsize on the lake, you will probably get hypothermia and drown. Do not head out on the lake if it is windy. It can be a wiser choice to beach the boat and walk up the Hidden Lake trail, then return in the calmer air of morning. Motors are allowed on the lake, and if you have a raft or drift boat, you will want to use it. Try to stick as close to shore as possible, but don’t go between the island and the cliffs on the point during rough weather.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.