Raft Tlikakila National Wild and Scenic River, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

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Located about 110 air miles west of Anchorage, the Tlikakila River is a large braided glacial river found entirely within Lake Clark National Park. The Tlikakila River originates in the Chigmit Mountains, near Summit Lake, and flows southwest approximately 50 miles into Lake Clark. Accessing the river at Summit Lake requires a two mile portage to the river. Pick-up at Lake Clark can be by plane or boat. This small but fast glacier-fed river follows the deep narrow valley of a major earth fault, surrounded by rugged snow-capped peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and sheer rock cliffs. The river drops through a densely forested valley with thick underbrush then braids out across an expanse river valley. Visitors generally access the corridor via small planes, landing on Summit Lake and portaging to the first boatable reaches. For most its length, the river is a braided fast-flowing Class I river boatable in canoes, kayaks, rafts, or pack rafts. Although there is a short Class II/III reach downstream of the confluence with the North Fork, the trip generally requires little to moderate whitewater skill and is suitable for families. Most floaters take two to four days to float the entire river. Throughout the corridor there are plentiful large gravel bars, providing superb places to camp for floaters. These bars tend to be easily accessed from boats (there are often good eddies), and offer scenic views and short hikes. On clear days, there may be up to 50 small planes passing overhead (Lake Clark Pass is the airway route between Anchorage and southwest Alaska). Anticipate moderate to heavy air traffic especially during weekends and the fall. River rating: WW III - WW IBest time of year: July - SeptemberCommon trip length: 70 miles

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