Alaska Packrafting When and Where?

Sorry, I haven't explored the Talkeetna Mountians yet.

If you're looking for something really studly, here's Manfred & Sons' trip report from last summer. I hiked in the first day with them (and then doubled back to my car). It was one of the tougher days I've spent stomping around. Manfred referenced a number of other BPL Alaska trips in the first paragraph.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=94676

If you DIDN'T grow on Julie Andrews tunes ("Climb Every Mountain"), there are far easier Alaska rafting trips. Put in at one of (and take out at the next one: Whitehorse, Dawson City, Eagle, Circle, Haul Road along the Yukon River. A pack raft would make airline transit and hitching far easier, but be subject to wind and waves without really capitalizing on the packraft's strengths on a huge river like the Yukon. Better to do it in a sea kayak, canoe or full oar-boat raft, IMO.

Google "pack rafting the Kenai River" I know lots of people, (actually most of the people I know) who've done it in larger rafts, drift boats and skiffs with a 35-hp motor. I've done bits of it, but not a through trip. I could likely help you with the put in, take out and shuttle aspects of such a trip. It's pretty bear- and fisherman-infested in July, but they're all more interested in the sockeyes than some smelly rafter. And there are long, truly remote stretches in there between the accessible spots of fishing.

Not for specific routes, but for general background and inspiration, get "Coming into the Country" by John McPhee. 40 years old and it's still the best introduction to what make Alaska great and its people strange. And the first third of the book is about a rafting / kayaking trip on a river on the North Slope.

Bugs in July / August: Usually, they're down compared to June – things often start to dry out a little. But this winter has been so very mild – half our days were at or above freezing – that I fear many more of them over-wintered and it could be a bad summer. Strictly for bugs, I recommended early May and or mid September. We start getting some freezing nights which really knocks down the bugs. And you avoid most all of the tourists who are coming for the salmon runs or constrained to summer vacation.

You could do the Classic route from Eureka to Talkeetna. From Eureka Lodge, pick a route north through the mountains to the Talkeetna River. Float out to Talkeetna.

You could also create some type of loop route. Start at Eureka, head north for however long you want and return back to the highway via the Chickaloon River (Class III). If you decide to do this check out packrafting.org, they have some good info there.

Another option is to follow Skurka's route from near Eureka to Cantwell. Head north to Talkeetna River, float for however long you like, continue north to Jack River. Float out to Cantwell.

Plenty of possibilities here…

Alaska Direct Bus Line takes you from Anchorage to Eureka for $50 and you could take the bus back to Anchorage (from Eureka) or the train (from Cantwell or Talkeetna or anywhere in between. I think around $70).

Bugs won't be as bad that time of year, compared to middle of summer.

Thanks Jack, the Talkeetna Mountains are looking like the best option right now due to the cheap access. I'd rather not spend a ton of money on a long bush plane ride or a rental car.
I'm thinking about something similar to Alan Dixon's trip which was a float down the Talkeetna and a hike over the mountains to the Sustina then out via the railroad. I might do that same basic trip but make it a bit longer. Floating down the Oshetna River looks interesting.
What will river levels look like in July/August? By that time a lot of what I want to float in Wyoming will be low so I thought ending the summer in Alaska would be a good idea IF water levels are okay up there. Also I'd rather not push my whitewater rafting skills that far out.

Dave – I did read "Coming into the Country" years ago, fun book.

There are some loops in Denali. You can take the train to the park and the shuttle within the park. Those Alaska glacial rivers are intimidating at first, compared to clear lower 48 rivers.

The Black Rapids to McKinley classic route I did in 2011 is a fantastic trip with fairly easy floating and fantastic hiking. You could take the train from Anchorage to McKinley Village, and get flown to a strip up above the brush on the west side of the Delta River, then hike back. It wouldn't be a cheap flight (~600 bucks?, wild guess) but would be money well spent and logistically simple.

"Those Alaska glacial rivers are intimidating at first, compared to clear lower 48 rivers."

Yeah that is why I thought I'd go late in the summer after I've had some time to brush up on my paddling. I'll take a look at the Delta to McKinley route.