« Packrafting Overview

Lakina Traverse (CL III)

Trip Description

The most well known packrafting trip in the park for a reason. The Lakina Traverse combines world class backpacking and read and run whitewater. Fly into The Fosse and hike up the rugged Hidden Creek Valley. Camp in an area of alpine so incredible it’s known as Oz, then descend to the Lakina River and 20 miles of backcountry boating at it’s best. The upper river can be low, allowing you to ease into the boating while the in-your-face views of Castle Peak make you appreciate the gentle start. When the river channelizes it becomes the stuff of packraft dreams. The Lakina has a continuous feel, with read and run boulder gardens and waves trains between forested banks. It’s that magic mix of engaging boating and covering ground quickly that typifies Wrangell Mountain packrafting. End up at the Lakina River Bridge for a convenient pick-up for a shuttle back to town. 2-3 days of backpacking and 1-2 days of boating.

Highlights:

  • Use your packraft as it was intended: pack it up and carry it with you to access a truly wild river.
  • A must do on the Alaska Packraft Tick-List
  • Variety of backpacking terrain
  • Up close views of big peaks
  • Traveling a wild river corridor with some good whitewater

Trip Options:

  • Want to push yourself? This fast and light option starts from our front door, eliminates the need for a flight, and covers a lot of ground. Add 1-2 days of backpacking across the Root and Kennicott Glaciers. 4-6 days total.
  • Looking for a day trip? A bush plane drop-off high in the Lakina Valley delivers you right to the boating goods: the top of 15 miles of wild backcountry river. Big views on the flight in, a day of wilderness whitewater and a shuttle back to town.

Duration:  1-6 days
Difficulty:  A very challenging trip for an intermediate to advanced packrafter.

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces. Actively navigating your own packraft in a CL III river.

Who:
Experienced packrafters looking for a big backpacking/remote whitewater trip.

When:
Mid-June to September 15th.
Start time depends on flight availability, logistics and your preferences.

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip planning
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small guide to client ratios.
  • Customizable itinerary.
  • Airfare into the backcountry.
  • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
  • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
  • Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
  • Cooking gear and fuel.
  • Backpacking pack (if needed)
  • Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
  • Technical gear and equipment.
  • Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
  • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include:

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Packrafting gear, if you are interested in renting gear check out our Packraft Rentals Page
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Alcohol in the backcountry.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Lakina Traverse Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price
*Gear not included, see Packraft Rentals for rates.

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,475 per person
2:1 / $2,595 per person
3:1 / $2,170 per person
4:1 / $1,945 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,445 per person
2:1 / $3,145 per person
3:1 / $2,630 per person
4:1 / $2,345 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,415 per person
2:1 / $3,695 per person
3:1 / $3,090 per person
4:1 / $2,745 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,385 per person
2:1 / $4,245 per person
3:1 / $3,550 per person
4:1 / $3,145 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

Lakina Traverse Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price
*Gear not included, see Packraft Rentals for rates.

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,475 per person
2:1 / $2,595 per person
3:1 / $2,170 per person
4:1 / $1,945 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,445 per person
2:1 / $3,145 per person
3:1 / $2,630 per person
4:1 / $2,345 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,415 per person
2:1 / $3,695 per person
3:1 / $3,090 per person
4:1 / $2,745 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,385 per person
2:1 / $4,245 per person
3:1 / $3,550 per person
4:1 / $3,145 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Trip Description

The most well known packrafting trip in the park for a reason. The Lakina Traverse combines world class backpacking and read and run whitewater. Fly into The Fosse and hike up the rugged Hidden Creek Valley. Camp in an area of alpine so incredible it’s known as Oz, then descend to the Lakina River and 20 miles of backcountry boating at it’s best. The upper river can be low, allowing you to ease into the boating while the in-your-face views of Castle Peak make you appreciate the gentle start. When the river channelizes it becomes the stuff of packraft dreams. The Lakina has a continuous feel, with read and run boulder gardens and waves trains between forested banks. It’s that magic mix of engaging boating and covering ground quickly that typifies Wrangell Mountain packrafting. End up at the Lakina River Bridge for a convenient pick-up for a shuttle back to town. 2-3 days of backpacking and 1-2 days of boating.

Highlights:

  • Use your packraft as it was intended: pack it up and carry it with you to access a truly wild river.
  • A must do on the Alaska Packraft Tick-List
  • Variety of backpacking terrain
  • Up close views of big peaks
  • Traveling a wild river corridor with some good whitewater

Trip Options:

  • Want to push yourself? This fast and light option starts from our front door, eliminates the need for a flight, and covers a lot of ground. Add 1-2 days of backpacking across the Root and Kennicott Glaciers. 4-6 days total.
  • Looking for a day trip? A bush plane drop-off high in the Lakina Valley delivers you right to the boating goods: the top of 15 miles of wild backcountry river. Big views on the flight in, a day of wilderness whitewater and a shuttle back to town.

Duration:  1-6 days
Difficulty:  A very challenging trip for an intermediate to advanced packrafter.

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces. Actively navigating your own packraft in a CL III river.

Who:
Experienced packrafters looking for a big backpacking/remote whitewater trip.

When:
Mid-June to September 15th.
Start time depends on flight availability, logistics and your preferences.

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip planning
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small guide to client ratios.
  • Customizable itinerary.
  • Airfare into the backcountry.
  • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
  • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
  • Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
  • Cooking gear and fuel.
  • Backpacking pack (if needed)
  • Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
  • Technical gear and equipment.
  • Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
  • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include:

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Packrafting gear, if you are interested in renting gear check out our Packraft Rentals Page
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Alcohol in the backcountry.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Lakina Traverse (CL III)
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

Glacier Lake Packraft

Glacier Lake Packraft

Duration : 4-5 hours
Cost : $
Difficulty : easy
Hike and Packraft

Hike and Packraft

Duration : 6-8 hours
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium
Nizina Lake Fly-In

Nizina Lake Fly-In

Duration : 6-8 hours
Cost : $$$
Difficulty : easy
Packraft Course Level 1

Packraft Course Level 1

Duration : 2 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : medium
McCarthy Creek to Kennicott River (CL II+)

McCarthy Creek to Kennicott River (CL II+)

Duration : 6-7 hours
Cost : $
Difficulty : Class II-III
Nizina River (CL II+)

Nizina River (CL II+)

Duration : 1-3 days
Cost : $$-$$$
Difficulty : Class II+
Lakina Traverse (CL III)

Lakina Traverse (CL III)

Duration : 1-6 days
Cost : $$-$$$
Difficulty : Class III
Up & Over (CL III)

Up & Over (CL III)

Duration : 1-2 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : Class III+
Packraft Course Level 2

Packraft Course Level 2

Duration : 2 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : Class III