In northwestern British Columbia, and flowing through Alaska?s Tongass National Forest, the Stikine River is the fastest navigable and free-flowing river in North America. A spectacular international river, the Stikine showcases a combination of spectacular peaks, calving glaciers, a natural hot springs and an abundance of wildlife, all native to B.C.?s Interior cedar and hemlock forests and the western hemlock forests of Southeast Alaska. We traverse the lower 130 miles of the 300-mile-long river, from the historic Gold Rush settlement of Telegraph Creek, to tidewater, and across Frederick Sound to the fishing town of Wrangell.

Cradled within the Romanzof Mts., the Sheenjek River begins as a swift mountain stream, then slows as the mountains open up, revealing a classic U-shaped valley, replete with rich wetlands and boreal forest, and glacially-formed pothole lakes.

A world-class wilderness, the Stikine River watershed contains some of the richest wildlife habitat in North America, with grizzly/brown bears, wolves, moose, wolves and mountain goats, as well as bald eagles and many species of migratory birds. The Stikine supports all five salmon species (sockeye, king, chum, coho, and pink), plus cutthroat and steelhead trout, and Dolly Varden char.

A hundred years ago, John Muir traversed the Stikine River Valley, finding ?a Yosemite 100 miles long.? Today, it?s still as Muir found it--a wild valley bisected by stream channels, sloughs, meadows and ponds, and rimmed by the nearly vertical Coast Range, whose glaciated peaks rise seven thousand feet above the valley.

Join us for a fast-paced canoe or kayak trip down the Stikine, with time to explore the forest, mountains, lakes and glaciers that calve into fresh water.

TRIP DIFFICULTY: While not whitewater, the Stikine is a swift, high-volume glacial river with multiple channels and a number of side sloughs to navigate. A canoe or kayak is a perfect way to experience the river; beginning paddlers welcome.

An adve nturesome spirit is important. You must be agile enough to get into and out of boats on rocky or muddy shorelines. You will do a fare share of walking and carrying of equipment from boats to camp. You must be willing and able to help carry 50-pound 2-person canoes up above the high water line.

TRIP EQUIPMENT: We paddle in 2-person Norwegian-made Ally folding canoes. These high-performance boats are entirely suitable on Class I-III river conditions. We also have Klepper folding kayaks for people who prefer, as well as inflatable kayaks. We can help you choose.