UPSTREAM RIVER ADVENTURE

So mom saw a commercial on TV about a jet boat that goes upstream and gets very close to some class VI white water rapids in a narrow canyon with a 90 degree turn. The rest is history. This was probably the only way we were going to get her out on a river, so we had to book it.

Earlier this week, after we took Sally to the airport, we moved on up to Trapper Creek, just south of Denali State Park. From Trapper Creek, we had to drive 35 miles to a small tourist town, Talkeetna, the only town directly on the Susitna River. That is where we boarded a jet boat for a thrilling boat ride.

We loaded up on the boat with a bunch of Princess land and sea cruisers and headed up the river, not down. I saw a couple fish coming up out of the murky water. This river is not clear because of silt from the mountain glaciers.

Within ten minutes we stopped to take pictures of Mount Denali and the Alaska Range. It was breathtaking!  How did we get so lucky to see all of her snowy peaks?

Soon enough, we were stopping for a tour of a trapper’s cabin. It was interesting to learn about the Dena’ina indians who lived in the area many years ago, and also see how a trapper lived.

Abby pointed out many of the different berries and plants while we walked down a wooded trail. She took us to the Indian encampment first. We learned how they cut logs and trapped animals, and what a hard life it must have been.

To keep their food chilled, a giant hole was dug in the ground and sticks were placed around the inside. The meat would be layered between more sticks until the hole was full. The cold temperature from the ground would keep everything cool.

There was a big difference in how a more modern day trapper kept his food. He would put it high in the air on stilts. Once the miniature log house was full, he would seal it up and remove the ladder so the animals could not get to it. Each leg had a metal ring on it to prevent animals from climbing up.

The Indians could not cut logs, so they burned each one to the desired length. Both ends would be held up with a fire burning in the middle.

There were many pelts on display from fox, beaver, bear, river otter, and more. We didn’t hear how men trapped each type of animal, but bear trapping is now illegal.

Before we loaded back on the boat to head to Devil’s Canyon, some of us had to take a pit stop. These little outhouses were so cute!

As we traveled upstream, we came across a few fresh water streams that emptied into the main river. There were men fishing along the banks and they were definitely pulling some in. They had to arrive by boat and slept in tents right on the bank of the river.

In the picture above, you can see a distinct line of different colored water. The fresh water is dark green and the main river looks murky. Eventually the two blend together and the outcome is still murky.

Now for the best part. After 65 miles of sightseeing we finally made it to the canyon. Our captain held the boat in place by steering and thrusting the engines. He kept the boat at the bottom edge of a class VI rapids for over 20 minutes.

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE RAPIDS

Everyone posed for pictures on the front step of the boat and we could take pictures and videos from the back platform. The boat was rocking and swaying, so we always held on to something to keep from falling.

On the way to the canyon we spotted a few bald eagles. It wasn’t until our journey back, that we came across four different bears by the river. I couldn’t get any pictures because we were going 45 mph and by the time the boat would stop, the bears would slip away into the forest. I was happy to get a picture of a moose. He swam across the water to the other side of the river shortly after this photo.

A train runs beside the river for 45 miles and crosses at one point. It would be an interesting train ride if we had another day here. It goes up and back once a day in the summer to take locals to town. During the winter, it only runs once a month.

Our six hour trip was so much fun! I was so happy to see Mount Denali, but the rapids and  wildlife were the icing on the cake. If you are ever headed to Denali National Park, it is totally worth it to stop in Talkeetna to take the Devil’s Canyon trip by Mahay’s Riverboat Service. You won’t regret it!