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Alaska Whitewater Rafting, Hiking and Glacier Day Trips

Kennicott and McCarthy Alaska
Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Flightseeing, and Glacier Tours

Copper Oar offers a variety of day and  multi-day rafting trips in Alaska's Wrangell St. Elias National Park. We also offer hiking adventures and glacier tours through our partner company, St. Elias Alpine Guides.

If you are looking for a great one-day adventure, you can't beat our spectacular, one-of-a-kind, world famous Nizina Canyon Raft and Flightsee Wilderness Day Trip. For longer wilderness whitewater rafting and multi-activity trips, please click here.

Raft and Flightsee Adventure: Wilderness Alaska Whitewater Rafting!
 "The Most  Spectacular One-Day River Trip on Earth" is the phrase that commonly defines our popular yet isolated one-day river outing. No other day rafting adventure  we know of offers the dramatic scenery, fun whitewater, and remote surroundings that are found  on this trip. Those who are traveling throughout Alaska and seeking unique  adventures should consider this experience. Those that are coming to McCarthy and  Kennicott or the areas near Valdez and Glennallen should add this trip to the  list things to do. Simply put, it is a highlight to any Alaska trip.

This trip begins near the hamlet of McCarthy, either on the small tributary river known as “McCarthy Creek”, or, at lower water, on the Kennicott River just below the footbridge and the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier. Early in the trip you will get magnificent views of the towering, 7,000 foot Stairway Icefall at the head of the Root Glacier.

After putting on wetsuit tops, waterproof pants, rubber boots and life jackets and  participating in a thorough safety presentation, we head off downriver. The  first few miles are laced with class II and III rapids that provide enjoyment  and a moderate challenge. We stop below the rapids and marvel at the panorama  that includes views of the Wrangell and Chugach mountain ranges as they jut  skyward.

We then reach the confluence of the Nizina river, in a broad  open plain where we may spot bear, eagle, and even the occassional wolf or  moose. Here you will get a chance to wander on the open river bar while your guides prepare a satisfying Alaska-style lunch. After eating, you will have several miles of calmber water to digest and relax before entering the impressively narrow Nizina Canyon. Here towering walls form tight  corners and create powerful currents that spin and twist their way down river.  In this stretch we feel the true isolation of Wrangell St. Elias. We may also  spot wildlife here, including falcons that in years past have nested in the  cliffs. When the Nizina reaches the mighty Chitina river we pull ashore and  salute an amazing float trip.

But,  the adventure is not yet over! We gather on a riverside gravel bar and meet our  Alaska bush pilot for a spectacular 20-minute flightseeing trip up to and around the glaciers from where we started. The trip ends with a touchdown on  the dirt airstrip in McCarthy. These trips launch every day.

The trip cost is $285 per person (2 person minimum per trip). The minimum age is 8. Individuals, couples, friends, and families are welcome!

"Just wanted you to know that we had a blast this summer on our rafting trip with you guys."
D. Carbonell, Nizina River Raft & Flightsee, 2007

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Glacier Hiking Adventure
Strap on steel cleat crampons and head up a glistening mountain of ice! Experience the translucent blues and dynamic patterns of Root Glacier as you stroll beneath towering Stairway Ice Fall. Price: $70 per person. This hike is run through our partner company, St. Elias Alpine Guides.

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Wrangell Mountain Alpine Hike
Hike up above tree-line and take in the three-mile high mountains that surround McCarthy and  Kennicott. Explore one of several old mining entrances high in the peaks and marvel at the ingenuity and hardiness of the early residents of the Kennicott Valley. Price: $95 per person. This hike is run through our partner company, St. Elias Alpine Guides.

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