Tearing through a good time

Used by Ahtna Athabascans for thousands of years, the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River offers everything from salmon runs to dogsledding trails and whitewater rapids to camping spots. Its Ahtna name is “C’uul C’ena” meaning, “tearing river.”

Gulkana River is one of six Wild and Scenic Rivers managed by BLM Alaska. These rivers were designated by Congress due to their outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values. It is the BLM’s responsibility, in cooperation with other federal agencies, to preserve these rivers so they can be enjoyed by present and future generations.

Comprised of the Middle Fork, West Fork, and Main Branch, Gulkana Wild and Scenic River totals 181 miles. It starts in the Alaska Range near Summit Lake and flows south into the Copper River, which continues going south until it empties into the Gulf of Alaska. Portions of Gulkana are conveniently accessible by road, but much of the land around the river is private or state-owned. Be respectful of private boundaries and look for public access points.

Though there’s a long list of things to do on and around the Gulkana, its primary attraction is fish, making it one of the most popular sportfishing rivers in Alaska. It’s the top spawning stream for Chinook and sockeye salmon—also called king and red salmon, respectively—in the Copper River basin. The river is busiest in June and July, when both types of salmon are running. In addition to Chinook and sockeye, Gulkana Wild and Scenic River also hosts rainbow and steelhead trout, arctic grayling, whitefish, longnose suckers, and lamprey. Powerboats are only allowed on certain sections of the river, so be aware of other river users.

Another attraction of Gulkana River is its float trips. The most popular trip is on the Main Branch starting at Paxson Lake and floating south to Sourdough Creek. It comes out to around 47 river miles and typically takes three to four days of travel. Most of the trip requires whitewater experience, with the most significant whitewater at river mile 20 in Canyon Rapids. Class III or IV is typical for this quarter-mile stretch of water, and boaters are strongly encouraged to portage this section. Several overnight camping sites are within walking distance of Canyon Rapids and its portage. After that, there’s nine river miles of rocky Class II-III rapids, then Class I until the take-out point at Sourdough Creek Campground.

The Gulkana river basin hosts more than 33 species of mammal and 59 species of bird. This is due in part to the hundreds of lakes and ponds around the river, which make ideal nesting areas for waterfowl such as trumpeter swans, red-throated loons, and harlequin ducks. Moose frequent the area, as well as bear, caribou, beaver, coyote, and otter. There’s a wide variety of plants around the river. Most of the trees are black and white spruce, but there’s also birch, poplar, and aspen. You’ll find willow, rose, cranberry, and blueberry in the undergrowth, as well as wild Parnassus flowers and blossoms from dwarf dogwood. Next time you visit Gulkana Wild and Scenic River, be sure to stop and smell the flowers!