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Other Whitewater Trips on the Bird Creek
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 Lodging in Alaska
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:: Bird Creek Canyon Whitewater Kayaking Trip
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Bird Creek Canyon Whitewater Kayaking Trip on the Bird Creek |
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Related River Guidebooks on AllAboutRivers |
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Bird Creek Canyon Info
Use this information at your own risk. See our legal notices. |
| Put In: |
Hike in from Konikson Rd. |
| Take Out: |
Seward Hwy Bridge |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV
Mushroom Drop and Bird Creek Falls are Class V
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| Gradient: |
165ft/mile |
| Run Length: |
3 miles |
| Good Level: |
400 cfs |
| Streamflow Comments: |
Low runnable is 200 cfs estimated at the take-out |
| Season Comments: |
May, June, July, August, September
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| Primary Season: |
June and July |
| Permit: |
$5 Chugach State Park parking permit at take-out |
| Character/Similar To: |
Breitenbush River, Natural Bridge section of the Rogue River |
| Hazards: |
Logs will always be an issue, 30 foot water fall |
| Water Craft: |
kayak |
| Land Ownership: |
Chugach State Park |
| Wilderness: |
Yes |
| Camping on River: |
No |
| Location: |
In the Pacific Region (AK), 26 miles South on the Seward Hwy of Anchorage |
| Area Name: |
Turnagain Arm |
| Shuttle Logistics: |
After passing Bird Creek on the Seward Hwy, look for Konikson Road on the left. Drive to the end and park next to the ATV trail which is pointing up the valley. The trail will cross two bridges, after which will be encountered a steep hill without an ATV trail. Climb up the hill and meet another ATV trail and turn right. After perhaps another 30-45 minutes, remaining on the main trail, a three fingered fork will be approached. Take the middle fork downhill to the creek after a nice hour to hour and a half hike. Alternatively, contact Alaska ATV Adventures and arrange to be driven in with gear to the put-in. Take-out at the Seward Hwy bridge with State Park parking on either side of the creek. |
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| Bird Creek Canyon on the Bird Creek |
Bird Creek is a complete trip: a beautiful hike into a tight, technical stream of crystal clear water through thick forest down to the intertidal zone, replete with a big waterfall and wildlife. Bird Creek is a technical class IV run with two class five rapids: the multi-tiered Mushroom drop and 30 foot Bird Creek Falls. Wood will often be a problem on this run due to the thick forest of the northern most stand of Sitka Spruce, Alaskas State Tree. Diligence in scouting is key, especially for the two class V drops, but most of the rapids are boat scoutable. Mushroom Drop is about half way down the run, recognized by a sharp right turn and a distinct horizon line and is scouted or portaged on the right. More class IV will lead down to a big eddy on the left before a sharp left turn and the horizon line of the lead in rapid to the falls. The scout/portage trail will be obvious on the hill on the downstream side of the eddy, with a side trail leading down to the lip of the falls. Without wood choking the lead in or the falls itself, the rapid is runnable at even fairly low water, but cleans up considerably at higher water. The lead in is usually run through the middle slot to set up for a left of center boof line over the falls. Steep, moss covered rock walls give way to muddy banks and tall grass as the creek enters the Turnagain Arm tidal zone.
Salmon spawn below the falls and combat fishermen line the banks, at times ass-to-elbow, hoping to catch the up migrating fish. Grizzly and black bears are more common below the falls as well, gathering to catch their own fish or to feed on improperly discarded carcasses left behind by careless fishermen. For guided expedition trips visit Kayak Alaska |
Last Edited by allanwarren on 10/1/2007
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Towns near Bird Creek Canyon Kayaking |
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