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50 Pounder for My 50th
I knew what I wanted for my 50th birthday...a trip back to the Great Alaska lodge....

- Mike Williams

Alaska Wildlife Viewing River trips

Alaska Scenic Rafting For over 30 years, Great Alaska Adventures has been floating some of the most beautiful rivers in Alaska with our guests, and it remains one of our favorite ways to experience the incredible flora and fauna of the Kenai Peninsula. Depending upon the location we are floating, we may be drifting in our safe and comfortable Willie Boat Welded Aluminum Mackenzie river driftboats, or our custom AIRE PVC inflatable catarafts. Our scenic rafting trips drift the unique and amazing Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in two separate locations- Perfect for singles, couples, small or large families, even corporate groups, these unique floats are great for all ages. Here is a brief description of our three scenic wildlife viewing raft trips:

Kenai River Refuge Float Kenai River Refuge float - This incredible trip floats the headwaters of the mighty Kenai River as it departs Kenai Lake and heads toward Cook Inlet. Moose, Brown and Black Bear, Lynx, Beaver, Otter Ermine and more call this area home. With Kenai lake as a headwaters, we'll also hope to see Bald Eagles, Cormorant, Harlequin Ducks and more. During the 9 - 14 mile float, the river changes from gentle and meandering to rushing and back again, passing islands, channels and an always changing landscape- ending with a spectacular back channel run with numerous Eagles nests, spawning salmon beds and always snow capped peaks looking down from above. A truly amazing float.

Skilak Lake Bald Eagle Float - This may be the most perfect wild Bald Eagle viewing float on the planet...during it's 16 mile length, your float will traverse huge, aquamarine Skilak Lake, nestled in the rugged Chugach Mountains and fed by the Harding Ice Field- North America's second largest continuous ice sheet. The middle Kenai's unusually gorgeous, clear turquoise water flows slowly over Alaska's premier salmon spawning beds..miles upon miles of perfect pea-sized gravel for the salmon to spawn . These perfect salmon conditions bring some of the worlds greatest salmon runs, and in turn a large, thriving and growing population of the mighty Bald eagle. You'll float by dozens of active bald Eagle nests (("aeries")overlooking the tranquil middle stretch of the Kenai River, as you drift through back channels and under black Spruce and Cottonwood trees (the Eagles' favorite for their nests) before ending at a gentle bit of whitewater at Naptowne Rapids, and finally ending right at our riverside resort and your waterfront cabins.

Kasilof Float Kasilof River float - A truly Alaskan River, the Kasilof (pronounced Kuh-sEE-loff) bisects the Caribou Hills wilderness region, flowing from the Kenai Mountains to Cook inlet in under 20 miles. This completely wilderness float features animals that avoid people- beaver, Ermine (weasels) Lynx, Fox and even Wolves have been spotted on these trips. Of course it's also a haven for giant Moose and wandering Kenai Caribou. We should also spot more of the aristocratic Bald Eagle, as it has a healthy population of these aristocratic birds. During it's 16 mile length, this river begins at giant, remote snow-white Tustemena Lake (surrounded by the Chugach Mountains) and rushes to Cook Inlet and the commercial salmon fishing fleet in only 18 miles. In the meantime you'll see true wilderness with few changes to the naked eye over the past 200 years. Shoreside Lunch on Alaska Wildlife Viewing Floats

During your floats - lunch will be served shore side by your guide, and will include things like Reindeer sausage, cheese and rustic crackers and served with a nice glass of accompanying Pinot Gris or Merlot or non-alcoholic sparkling cider.. During the floats your guide will point out salmon spawning beds, flora and fauna and answer you questions about the area we are visiting for the day. We have floated millions of miles of Kenai and Kasilof river over our 25+ years of floating and paddling the Kenai Peninsula and our guides are expert, personable companions to share nature's wonders with.

If you'd like to experience one or all of these great floats: These floats are available on a number of our itineraries- here are three great ones to choose from:

Kenai Multi Sport Safari - For the wildlife loving crowd that loves to break a sweat! Mountain biking, Hiking, Whitewater rafting, Glacial Lake kayaking and more- returning each day to the riverside lodge for happy hour.

National Park Safari - Our most popular wildlife viewing trip- 7 big days on the Kenai (Bears, glaciers, end of the road touring) plus 3 days in and around Denali National Park. A truly epic wildlife and sightseeing experience.

Family Adventure Safari - Our most popular family experience- scenic rafting, hiking, brown bear viewing and with just a touch of fishing-all featuring 50% off kids 15 and under! (restrictions apply).

National Park Photo Safari

Great Alaska Nat. Park Photo Safari - One of our favorite trips! Our National Park Safari with the emphasis on photography, and hosted by a renowned Alaskan wildlife Photographer, Cathy Hart.

Quick Links......

Nature: Alaska Bear Viewing Alaska Wildlife Raft Trips Alaska rafting trips Alaska Mountain Biking Denali National Park Trips Fly in Alaska Bear Viewing Alaska Adventure trips Alaskan Sport Fishing trips Alaska Kenai River Lodge Kenai Fjords National Park Day Cruises Homer, Alaska Tours One Day Bear Viewing from Anchorage Day trips from Anchorage All inclusive Alaska Adventure vacations

Fishing: Alaska Salmon Fishing One day Alaska fishing from Anchorage Alaska Rainbow Trout/Char and Kasilof rivers Alaska Trophy Rainbow & Char Wade fishing excursions Alaska Halibut- Cook Inlet and Resurrection Bay Nightly evening shore fishing Nightly Happy hour and great evening activities Fish Processing

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