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The Upper Canyon of the Tsaina River is an intimidating yet fun Class V glacial run in one of the most scenic areas of Alaska. Originating at its namesake glacier a mere 12 miles above the canyon walls, the Tsaina runs fast and very cold with only a few clear water cricks augmenting the grey silty water. From the put-in at the Tsaina Lodge the river rushes through a short Class IV section of boulders and twisting around rock walls. At optimum medium flows this is a pushy introduction with powerful boils and eddy lines, a warning of what lies below. Class II boogie water ensues for the next couple of miles providing an opportunity to calm ones nerves by soaking up the exuberant green mountainsides and their oft cloud shrouded craggy peaks. Multiple waterfalls pour directly into the river from the steep banks. After perhaps two miles a rocky beach on the right where a larger stream trickles in provides a last chance escape path back up to the road before the entrance into the true canyon.

Immediately after this beach the gradient increases and the rock walls climb dramatically to 150 feet. A short slalom around boulders and holes leads to the Slot, an 8 foot wide drop that is bigger than it looks from the mile 37 bridge high above. Getting back-endoed in the Slot is a common occurrence but as all the water pushes through it is generally of little consequence. Immediately following is a sharp right hand turn into the Devils Elbow, a severely undercut rock precipice that juts out from river left. This section has some truly massive boils and eddy lines, a bit of a surprise from the way it looks when scouting. At high water the current would be feeding directly into and under the Devils Elbow and makes the risk-to-reward ratio of this run go up exponentially. A river right eddy below the turn makes for a nice place to stretch, catch your breath and slow your heart rate down before continuing. Directly downstream of this eddy begins Jacobs Ladder, a 1/4 mile long section of massive holes, laterals and exploding waves. This can be scouted via a short path about 3/10 of a mile north of the mile 37 bridge nearly adjacent to the 55mph sign. Looking down 300 feet into a vertical walled canyon of graywacke rock to see a series of seven drops that look huge even from that height is an impressive and intimidating sight. The line, as of this writing, is pushing hard right until the enormous lateral is bypassed then center for the last and biggest drop between two massive boulders. The good news is that by the time fear has truly seized control the pounding and roaring flush is over and the monolithic rock walls are all that remain. More Class II and scattered Class IV holes and boulder dodging lead down to Double Clutch, IV+, another horizon line slalom course. This rapid is also scoutable from the road at a rock shelf just south of the mile 39 marker and though scouting is recommended it is a read and run rapid for those accustomed to fast glacial water. A series of drops lead to a house sized center stream boulder with a powerful tongue sweeping off the right side. The canyon walls relent shortly after Double Clutch and spectacular vistas of the Tsaina Valley lead down to the take out bridge. For more information or paddling partners stop and see Ryan and Joel, the owners of Tiekel River Lodge, (907) 822-3259 www.tiekelriverlodge.com.