11-Day Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
Alaska River Rafting Trips
11-Day Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
- Meet in Haines, AK
- Season: July
- River Distance: 132 Miles
- Minimum Age: 14 Years
- Capacity: 12 Passengers
Why Choose CRATE?
- Under Original Ownership Since 1971
- 5 Star Rated Rafting Trips
- We Provide Everything You Need For a Great Rafting Trip
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(800) 253-7328
Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
Discover the Untamed Majesty of the Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness
Embark on the journey of a lifetime with our 11-day Tatshenshini Expedition, a premier adventure through one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. From the rugged peaks of the St. Elias Range to the glacial-fed rivers winding through pristine wilderness, this is a trip where nature’s grandeur takes center stage.
This world-class Alaska rafting expedition on the Tatshenshini River begins in the alder and aspen forests of the Yukon. Threads its way through the steep mountain valleys of Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia. And ends among the spectacular ice-age landscapes of Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park. Throughout the expedition, you will camp on gravel beaches decorated by clusters of flaming fireweed, hike along rushing streams teaming with salmon, explore mountain valleys with magnificent views, and walk upon the surface of a glacier for an up-close look at giant seracs, deep crevasses, and sparkling basins of melted ice. The area is rich in wildlife, including moose, beaver, foxes, bears, mountain goats, wolverines, eagles, and many other small birds and mammals.
Ideal for anyone looking for a true Alaskan wilderness experience. The trip offers great wildlife viewing opportunities and amazing scenery. Custom charter trips are available for groups of 12-18 people.
Tatshenshini River Trip Highlights
• Explore Untouched and Untamed Wilderness: Raft through the heart of the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by Canada and Alaska.
• Glaciers & Icebergs: Witness calving glaciers and float alongside dazzling blue icebergs.
• Towering Peaks: Surrounded by the St. Elias Mountains, home to some of the highest peaks in North America, including Mount Fairweather which rises 15,325 Ft from Sea Level.
• Abundance of Wildlife: grizzly bears, black bears, moose, bald eagles, wolves, and wolverines make the Tatshenshini River Corridor their natural habitat.
• Beautiful campsites adorned with Fireweed, Indian Paintbrush, and dramatic mountain backdrops
• Cultural Connections: Learn about the region’s Indigenous history and its cultural significance.
• The River flows through diverse ecosystems, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean.
• Part of the Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek World Heritage Site.
• The Tatshenshini River’s confluence with the Alsek River.
• Our Tatshenshini River trip gives adequate time to enjoy the place and experience layover days where we spend two nights at the same camp.
• Scenic Flight at the conclusion of the trip.
Tatshenshini River Trip-What is Included
- Transportation Ground Transportation from Haines, AK to River Put In
- Rafting 132 Miles from Dalton Post to Dry Bay
- Camping Equipment Sleeping Bags, Foam Pads, Ground Cloth, Tents, Plates and Utensils
- Waterproof Bags For Clothing and Personal Items
- Dry Suit Kokatat Dry Suits to wear on the First Day
- Life Jacket Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets
- Water Bottle & Coffee Mug Souvenir 32 oz Water Bottle and 16 oz Coffee Mug
- Meals Delicious, Freshly-Prepared Meals, Beginning with Lunch the First Day
- Beverages Assorted Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Hiking Off River Hiking and Exploration
- Flight End of Trip Bush Flight to Yakutat, AK and Alaska Airlines Flight to Juneau, AK
Not Included
- Lodging Before/After your River Trip
- Alcoholic Beverages, Customer Preferred Soft Drinks or Juices
- Travel Insurance – Cost of Emergency Evacuation or Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Gratuity for Guides
Experience the Tatshenshini River
The trip begins with a scenic van ride from Haines, Alaska to Dalton Post in the Yukon Territory. Everyone will be required to show their passport when we cross into Canada. Along the short drive we may see bear, moose, and fox. Dalton’s Post is the put-in location for our Tatshenshini rafting expeditions. The location is home to a handful of ruined cabins from the time of the late 1800s goldrush. It is situated on one of the two historic routes from the Alaska Coast to the Klondike gold fields.
Before launching on the river, everyone will don drysuits. River excitement begins almost immediately with the Class III-IV Canyon Whitewater Section of the Tatshenshini River. Though the river stays fast throughout the entire trip, the biggest rapids are the first day.
Before its confluence with the Alsek River, the Tatshenshini has an intimate feel. The river banks are often covered with trees, small glacial streams increase the volume of the river as we move downstream. Many of these glacial streams have large flood plains to walk amongst the fireweed and look for wildlife. The small glacial streams are fast and steep, and you can hear the boulders being tumbled down them. A hiking opportunity at Sediments Creek leads to scenic views from Goat Ridge. Goat Ridge is fittingly named after the hairy white Mountain Goats often seen there.
After the confluence of the Tatshenshini River with the Alsek, the river becomes huge and braided. Large gravel bars are crisscrossed by the great river and the scenery becomes glaciers, and high coastal peaks. Glaciers come down to the river’s edge and give a peak into the last ice age. Grizzly Bears are often seen traversing the gravel bars searching for their next Salmon meal.
The trip concludes at Dry Bay, a small fishing community near the Pacific Ocean. Guests are flown out to Yakutat, Alaska and then via commercial airliner to Juneau, Alaska.
Some have called the Tatshenshini the last wild river in the world. But it's more than a river, more than ancient glacier, rock and wood. It's one of the most spectacular untouched wilderness areas on Earth"
Famous Rapid
Sometime around 1990 a big flash flood created a new rapid at the site where a bridge was going to be placed to access the proposed Windy Craggy Mine. This new rapid was named Monkey Wrench rapid in reference to Edward Abbey’s Monkey Wrench Gang, and as an outcry to stop the small copper mound called the Windy Craggy Mine from being developed.
Why is the Tatshenshini World Renowned
The Tatshenshini River is the definition of untrammeled wildness. The wildlife, tall peaks, glaciers, and powerful river are unmatched. When Colorado River & Trail Expedition first ran the Tatshenshini in 1979 only a handful of people knew about it. The area gained a lot of press in the early to mid-1990s in an effort to stop the Windy Crag Mine project.
In 1992 the Wilderness Committee and Tatshenshini Wild co-published a campaign to protect the area from the open pit copper mine. The campaign proved successful with the creation of the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provinicial Park in 1994.
Colorado River & Trail Expeditions and Our History on the Tatshenshini River
Colorado River & Trail Expeditions history began on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Our first rafting trip on the Tatshenshini was in the fall of 1979. CRATE owner Dave Mackay led the trip and instantly fell in love with the unbelievable river. For the last 40+ years we have consistently ran 1-2 rafting trips per season on this wild river. The Tatshenshini River is dear to all of us at CRATE.
We are one of the original commercial outfitters on the Tatshenshini River, and bring our expertise from the Colorado River to all of our trips. We have top notch gear, and great guides. If you have more questions please call our office at 1-800-253-7328. We look forward to sharing this incredible river and landscape with you.
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About the Raft
About the Raft used for the 11-Day Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
We use 18′ rafts on our rowing trips. Each raft accommodates 4 passengers and is rowed by a licensed guide.
Guests are encouraged to rotate between rafts so they get acquainted with other passengers and the entire crew. The guides will give instructions for when the boats go through the rapids.
Camping and Dining on the 11-Day Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
Our meals consist of a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. They are nutritious and delicious. Although we do not serve a “vegetarian” menu, we do provide enough fresh produce and non-meat items that most vegetarian dieters get along fine for the week they are on the river.
We are willing to try and help with special diet requests, but if your food options are very restrictive or require extra time or preparations we may not be able to accommodate you. Please give us a call to discuss your particular diet needs. We may suggest that you bring some of your own food items to supplement our menu.
More About Rafting The Tatshenshini
Additional Information for the 11-Day Tatshenshini Rafting Expedition
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