Drive to Talkeetna and you've made it. Those looking to float the river will likely be hiring the services of a local air taxi service to drop them off up river.
heads at Talkeetna Glacier in Talkeetna Mts. at 621100N, 1482900W, flows NW and SW to Susitna River at Talkeetna, Cook Inlet Low.
Floating the River
The most popular place to put in is being dropped above the Prairie Creek confluence. Though if you're not packing inflatable gear you may need to charter a float plane to strap your kayak to the outside of the plane. In which case you'll probably be landing on Murder Lake, possibly Stephan Lake depending on the size of the plane you're requiring.
Talkeetna River host class III and IV through Talkeetna Canyon that extend over 10 miles. Rapids include "Entrance Exam", "Toilet Bowl", "Sluice Box", rapids and well as gentler floating once in the valley.
Toilet Bowl should be scouted before shooting.
The first 10 miles of the float are where all the action is but it doesn't mean the rest of the float isn't worth completing. Through the canyon you can drop around 44 feet per mile, while the rest of the float is around just under 20 feet per mile.
Wildlife
Mammals along the Talkeetna River include
moose,
brown bear,
caribou (usually of the Nelchina herd),
otter,
beaver. Birds include
bald eagles. Fish include all Pacific Salmon.
King Salmon run the river mid June through mid July. The kings in the river can easily pass 40 pounds.
Sockeye run in July,
Silver in end of July through the end of August.
Dolly Varden and
Rainbow Trout.
Tanaina Indian name reported in 1898 to mean "river of plenty" by G. H. Eldridge and Robert Muldrow, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Naming: Tanaina Indian name reported in 1898 to mean "river of plenty" by G. H. Eldridge and Robert Muldrow, United States Geological Survey.
On September 5, 2023, 1 person died while boating. Read More
