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Additional
Lake Creek Information |
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Lake Creek Home Page: Click Here
Why Choose Destination Wilderness
For Your Alaska Fly Fishing Trip?
Destination Wilderness offers an exceptionally selection of
Alaska adventure trips, one of the most diverse and spectacular available.
These trips are run by our Alaska affiliate outfitter, Copper Oar. Copper Oar
is partially owned by and trips led in part by guides who worked for
Destination Wilderness when it operated trips in Alaska directly. From one-day
raft and flightsee tours to week long rafting journeys to two-week
multi-activity wilderness expeditions, Copper Oar outfits trips that are
suitable for anyone seeking the best of the Last Frontier. These classic Lake
Creek Alaska fly fishing trips are simply spectacular. Consider all that we
provide on this and all of our Alaska trips:
 It is Your Trip Not Ours.
We have been running Alaska adventure trips for years and years and believe
that the best trip is the trip you desire. We provide a foundation of safety
and seamless logistics, and have a wealth of knowledge about Alaska. From there
we create the trip you want, adjusting our style to your wants and needs rather
than asking you to fit into our agenda.
Smaller Group Size. Typically, our Alaska
adventure trips are limited to 12 guests plus guides. We have the ability to
take more at select times during the season, but we generally prefer to keep
group sizes reasonable in order to maximize your wilderness experience.
 Guides That Live in Alaska. Destination Wilderness and Copper
Oar, one of the longest established outfitters operating in Alaska backcountry,
are both owned by Ken Streater. Copper Oar is located in McCarthy, Alaska, in
the heart of the largest national park in the U.S, and serves as the base for
all Destination Wilderness' Alaska trips. Guides that
work for Copper Oar and Destination Wilderness are primarily Alaska residents
who know and love this great state and who long to share their experience and
passion for Alaska with you.
At Least Two Boats and Two Guides Per Rafting Trip. On the
Lake Creek Alaska fly fishing trip we always have at least two licensed guides
on the water. We believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate
staffing and that just one guide on the water is not as effective as two or
more. Therefore, we always have at least two boats and two guides on each
trip.
Full Safety
Orientation and Gear. Before each Alaska trip we provide a thorough safety
and instructional presentation. We also provide wetsuit paddle jackets as part
of the safety ensemble needed to raft Alaska rivers.
A Variety of Trip Options.
With Destination Wilderness you can choose between camp or camp/lodge
combination trips. We also offer a variety of trip lengths and types.
Personable Guest to Guide
Ratio. We run trips with one guide for every three to four guests, a ratio
that we feel enhances each guest's experience in terms of safety, comfort, and
good company Return to Top
River Difficulty
The Lake Creek Adventure
begins on Chelatna Lake which spills to create Lake Creek which ends when it
reaches the confluence of the Yentna river. Lake Creek, by Alaska standards, is
a relatively small volume river. By lower 48 standards it is a normal size
river, similar to the Kern river in California, the Rogue river in Oregon, or
the Nantahala river in North Carolina. Lake Creek has several sections with
class III and IV rapids, particularly near the beginning and middle section of
the river. The lower river is class I and class II as it leaves the canyon
areas and merges with the Yentna.
River Difficulty Scale: Class I is
flat water and Class VI is unrunnably difficult. Class II has current with
small waves and some obstacles.Class III rapids are fun and thrilling, ideal
for first-time and experienced rafters. Class IV whitewater is great for
experienced rafters and reasonable for fit first-timers who have had some
warm-up in class III. Class V is very difficult and for experienced river
rafters.
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Top
 Trip Outline
Trip Style: Destination Wilderness offers Lake
Creek trips only on a charter basis. For groups of four or more we can schedule
these five day trips on demand. Please note that there is a lodge option for
the first night that is entirely dependent on availability. Please call our
office with trip dates you have in mind!
Meeting Time: Early on the morning of day one. We
recommend arriving into Anchorage the night before your trip start date. .
Meeting Place:
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, at the Anchorage airport. Complete rendezvous
instructions will be provided in your confirmation packet.
Daily Itinerary
Day One:
After meeting your pilot and
flightseeing guide in Anchorage, you will be flown over and around the
mountains and valleys of wilderness Alaska en route to Chelatna Lake. Upon
landing at the lake you will be met by your Destination Wilderness fish and
raft guides. Those staying at Chelatna Lake Lodge (see below) will be shown
to your accommodations. This is followed by a solid day of fishing and walking
around the lake. Those not staying at the lodge will transfer your personal gear into waterproof
bags, get into appropriate river wear, participate in a thorough instructional
and safety presentation, and then head off down spectacular Lake Creek!
Day
Two:
Those who spent the night at the lodge will get geared up for the
river trip and then head downriver. The first days of the river trip can
include spectacular views of the Alaska range and possibly even Denali itself.
The Alaska fly fishing and whitewater of day one and two are rewarding, as
boulder garden rapids and productive fishing holes are regularly encountered.
We can stop several times during the day to fish from shore. Numerous prolific
fishing side streams spill into Lake Creek on this and subsequent days. We camp
this night along the river, and enjoy the reverie of Alaska wilderness. The
guides prepare hearty Alaska meals each day and night.
Day Three:
Following a
delicious breakfast we continue to float and fish as the river grows.
Throughout this stretch we run through narrow chutes and around huge boulders
in a mixture of class II and class III rapids. On this day we may enter "The
Canyon" where the boulders and drops get bigger. Great fishing continues! We
typically camp in this section and feast and toast to a great day of adventure!
Again, the dinner is presented with flair.
Day Four:
We continue in the canyon and run more rapids. We
then emerge into a slower section of river, as the gradient lessens and the
canyon opens up. Long stretches of class I water are rafted on this day. The
fishing opportunities are plentiful and we stop often to fish more productive
sections. We camp one last night along the shore of the pristine river and
celebrate our final night in this beautiful and remote canyon.
 Day Five:
After
breakfast and breaking camp we float the last few miles of Lake Creek as it
heads to its confluence with the Yentna river. As the river continues to grow
we may encounter other river users who work their way upriver in fishing jet
boats. In the early afternoon we reach the Yentna, where the river trip ends.
At that point you will transfer your personal gear out of the dry bags and into
your personal duffel bag or backpack that we have taken with us down the river.
After a post-trip toast and salute to Denali, Chelatna, and the classic Alaska
fly fishing of Lake Creek you will board a plane for the flight back to
Anchorage or a short trip to Talkeetna where we will board a van for the drive
to Anchorage.
Chelatna Lake Lodge
At the beginning of the trip
you may have the option of spending a night at Chelatna Lake Lodge, a place of
rustic luxury at the top of Lake Creek. The lodge is priced at approximately
$400 per person per night.
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Getting to Anchorage
By Air:
Anchorage
International Airport is accessed by many major commercial airlines, including
Northwest, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. Flights from throughout the lower 48
arrive several times a day.
Pre and Post-Trip Transportation
Destination Wilderness
provides all transportation from Anchorage at the beginning of the trip as well
as transportation to Anchorage after the trip.
Where To Stay
We recommend lodging in Anchorage
the night before your trip. The following establishments are located near the
airport:
Courtyard by Marriott
Puffin Inn (ask to stay in the new
section)
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Top
Natural History
Lake Creek is
a gorgeous blue green river. While considered smaller by Alaska standards
(Alaska hosts some of the biggest rivers in the world) but sizeable by lower 48
standards, Lake Creek runs relatively clear from its source, the sparkling
Chelatna Lake. Accessible only by bush planes that land on a dirt runway or on
the lake with floats, Chelatna Lake and Lake Creek exemplify classic Alaska
backcountry. When you add all of this to the fact that Denali National Park
sits only a handful of miles away, you are left with a natural history
wonderland.
Chelatna Lake is fed by glacial streams such as Cripple and
Coffee Creek. Over seven miles long, the lake allows much of the glacial
sediment to settle out of the water. This mixture of sediment and water is
largely responsible for the lake¹s striking blue color, which is
particularly noticeable as it is framed by the green shorelines and the
surrounding towering mountains. White spruce, alder and birch trees flourish in
this environment. This forest is home to numerous Alaska wildlife such as brown
and black bear, moose, wolf, beaver, and more.
It is the fish
populations that get most of the press about Chelatna Lake and Lake Creek.
Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling and Salmon are found
in Chelatna Lake and Lake Creek. World class trout and grayling fishing is
found in these waters, with some trout reaching over two feet in length. And,
the Silver Salmon runs are strong in Lake Creek, particularly from mid-July
through mid-August. Spin and fly fishing enthusiasts admire this region for its
strong and diverse fish populations. For all the salmon, except the Chinook
which travel Lake Creek in June and early July, light to medium weight spinning
gear with a 7 foot rod and 12 lb. line is typically used. For fly fishing 5-7
weight rods for rainbows and 7-8 weight rods for silvers are common.
As
noted above, Lake Creek is located only a stone¹s throw from Denali
National Park, yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of Denali¹s
tourism. From Lake Creek on the first couple of days Denali (aka ³Mt.
McKinley² and ³The High One²) and other towering Alaska Range
mountains are visible, weather permitting. The Alaska Range is an impressive
600-mile arc of 65 million year-old mountains that divide southcentral Alaska
from the vast interior. Denali Fault, North America's largest crustal break is
responsible for this range, that is capped by Denali¹s 20,320¹ peak.
This fault, where two tectonic plates have moved against each other, stretches
for 1,300 miles from the Yukon border down to the Aleutian peninsula. There,
the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges meet in a mad jumble of peaks that includes
active volcanoes. Numerous glaciers still radiate from the high peaks of the
Alaska Range, where the frigid temperatures prevent their melting. The Denali
portion of the Alaska Range has more than 20 glaciers that are longer than five
miles. Six of these 20 are over 25 miles long. Kahiltna Glacier (the longest at
43 miles!) flows from an ice field that lies between Mount Foraker
(17,400¹) and Mount Hunter (14,573¹). This powerful glacier is used
by mountain climbers that are trying to reach the summit of Mount McKinley.
Kahiltna Glacier waters eventually reach and form Chelatna Lake and Lake Creek.
Generation after generation of native Alaskans wandered over this
region before Caucasians began to explore it. In particular, Athabascan nomads
hunted in the lowland hills spring through fall for caribou, sheep, and moose.
They preserved berries for winter, netted fish, and gathered edible plants. As
snows began to fall, they migrated to lower elevations, such as the Lake Creek
river valley for better protection from winter's severe weather. More modern
history shows that gold prospectors from the Matnuska-Susitna valley explored
Lake Creek seeking the riches of what proved to be a nonexistent mother lode.
Today, outdoor enthusiasts find Lake Creek and its surroundings to be rich in
scenery, solitude, fun rapids, and great fishing!
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Top
 Additional Information
Experience
Required
The Lake Creek River Fishing and Rafting Adventure is an
excellent trip that blends a variety of adventures. This is an ideal trip for
those seeking Alaska wilderness experiences. First time adventurers are welcome
and thrive on this trip. While not strenuous or filled with overly challenging
whitewater, the river portion of this journey is in pure wilderness and does
include moderately difficult rapids. Our minimum age is 10. Your guides will
gladly help with any aspect of our trip that is new for you, whether that means
setting up a tent or learning how to fly cast.
Participant Fitness And
Activity Levels
Destination Wilderness trips are created with
active, curious, go-with-the-flow, and nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our
Lake Creek Fishing and Rafting Adventure is designed for those with a zest for
wilderness, moderate adventures and active participation. While you should be
fit and in good health for this trip, you need not be a honed athlete.
Participants on this trip should be fit, able to swim, and may need to play a
part in self-rescue should you fall out of the raft.
Weather
Lake
Creek is located in central Alaska. It is subject to interior weather patterns.
Typically, July and August are the warmest and among the driest months. Often,
days are filled with sun and temperatures range from the low 50¹s to the
mid 80¹s. Nights are cooler, with lows typically in the high 40¹s and
50¹s. Rain is always possible, even likely, and you should prepare
accordingly.
Bush Flights in Alaska
In order to access Lake Creek you
will be required to fly in a small, prop-driven bush plane. These planes are
more susceptible to wind currents and drafts. Therefore, be prepared for a
turbulent ride. The flights are less than an hour. It is also possible that
your flight may be delayed or canceled due to weather. Your river trip will be
adjusted if this happens.
Equipment
Destination Wilderness provides life jackets, waterproof river suits,
rubber boots, waterproof bags, camp chairs and eating utensils, all the
specialized adventure gear you need. We also provide a variety of fishing gear,
both spin and fly (see below). A complete list of what you should bring will be
included in your confirmation packet. Sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and tents
can be rented from us. Be sure to let us know in advance if you need any rental
gear.
Each person will have one waterproof (³dry²) bag
(about the size of a large Hefty trash bag) in which clothing, toiletries,
sleeping bag, camp chair and other personal items will be kept. In addition, we
have available extra dry bags for tents and sleeping pads, and special day bags
and boxes for cameras, binoculars, etc. Do keep in mind that , although slight,
there is always a chance that any of your gear could get wet. Note: It is
important to pack all of your gear in collapsible luggage, such as internal
frame backpacks or duffel bags. Since we fly into a remote area and then fly
back to Anchorage from a remote area we take all personal gear down the river
with us. As such, we need to take your luggage on the rafts.
Fishing Gear
Destination Wilderness provides a variety of fishing tackle, both for fly and
spin cast fishing. We also require that you bring some of your own personal
fishing gear. You must also bring a pair of waders, preferably neoprene. This
is a classic trout and grayling river and is also a strong salmon river. Most
fishing aficionados find that their trip is enhanced by the ability to use
their own gear. We will provide you with a recommended set of tackle for this
trip in your confirmation packet. First timers to fishing are welcome on this
trip and need not worry as much about providing your own tackle.
Camps
We
camp along the river in pristine wilderness, usually on a sandy beach. In the
case of rain, tarps are set up over communal eating and sitting areas. We
proudly practice minimum-impact camping and carry out all trash. We carry a
portable metal box chemical toilet (similar to motorhome toilets) that is set
up each evening in a private and scenic spot away from the heart of the camping
area. A system that will be explained by your guides allows for all campers to
know when the toilet is in use.
Other River Users
Lake Creek is a relatively popular river for rafting and fishing. It is
possible that on this trip you will see other wilderness enthusiasts at the
lake and on the river. While typically infrequent it is important to mention
these possible encounters to those seeking absolutely isolated wilderness
experiences. We will also likely encounter river jet boats on the last day.
Wildlife and
Wild Plants
Wildlife is abundant in the Alaskan wilderness and,
among other animals, we may encounter bear, sheep, and moose. It is important
to follow your guides instruction to prevent or reduce the likelihood of
unwelcome wild animal encounters and to understand what to do in the case of an
encounter. Also, while they are generally not a major problem on this trip,
those sensitive to mosquitoes may want to bring along a mosquito net hat. There
are also, in places, thorny bushes (known as Devil's Club) or others that can
cause skin rashes. Please listen closely to your guides' instructions on how to
recognize these plants and what to do if you touch them.
Fishing
Alaska requires you to have a fishing license if you intend to fish during
your visit. Your guide can help you obtain a license at the rendezvous. The
fishing can be quite good, with large Alaska salmon often caught (and then
eaten!).
Meals and Beverages
We serve gourmet meals prepared
with fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with every meal
and each afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. Please let us
know if you have special dietary needs or wants!
Gratuities
It is common to tip wilderness guides on adventure trips. It is not
expected, but always appreciated. If you are happy with your trip please let us
and your guide(s) know. Thanks!
Itinerary Changes
While we do everything possible to follow the itineraries in this
packet we may be forced to adjust trips due to reasons beyond our control.
Therefore, these itineraries are subject to change.
References
Many of our past trip members have offered to speak with folks who are
considering our trips. We know we could blow our own horn until we are blue in
the face about the great time we feel you would have on our trips. So, we
invite you to contact us for a list of clients who have participated on
Destination Wilderness trips and we'll let them do the talking!
Destination
Wilderness/Copper Oar Guides
The pride of our outfit, our guides
bring a wealth of talent and experience to each trip we run. Destination
Wilderness/Copper Oar guides (and they are our guides not subcontracted
outfitters) have years and years of experience leading trips in the U.S. and
abroad. Each is licensed in first-aid and CPR. Furthermore, they create an
environment that fosters camaraderie and positive experiences. Simply put, they
care about what it is that YOU want from YOUR TRIP and do everything possible
to make that happen! We are confident that you will find your guides to be one
of the highlights of the adventure.
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Lake Creek:
Alaska Fly Fishing Trip Additional
Information
