Sanctuary River Packraft
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Raps:0, max ↨0ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Watercraft:Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | May-July
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63.5307, -149.3296
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
A well published and relatively simple long day or overnight backcountry trip in Denali National Park is Packrafting the Sanctuary River.
Duration: I have seen 14 hours listed in a trip report for a day trip group, although, often this is done as a one night overnight to make for a more relaxed trip.
- Permits and bus tickets are necessary as the route is within Denali National Park and no personal vehicles are allowed. (see below)
Approach[edit]
- NOTE: there are no private cars allowed past a few miles on the McKinley Park Rd. You will have to
Hike ~ 12-13 miles off trail from the Sable Pass area (see map/GPX) taking you to the headwaters of the Sanctuary River. Inflate the packrafts and let'er'rip.
Note: Alternate route, although shorter, is questionably viable due to brush. There are trails that leave directly the Icicle Creek Campground but have not been confirmed to reach the riverbank, allowing for easier walking upstream.
Suggest whitewater compatible packrafts (Alpacka, kokopelli, or equivalent)
Descent[edit]
The float is ~ 15 miles in duration and ends at the McKinley Park Road where the bus can be caught to return to the cars.
Exit[edit]
Catch the Shuttle back to Park Entry
Red tape[edit]
Obtain permit at Backcountry Information Center (BIC): Denali National Park is broken up into 60 some land units. Each unit has a quota for backpackers per night allowed to camp within that area. It's important to be flexible, and come with a backup plan if your first choice units are full. You will likely have to sit through some sort of brief presentation.
The McKinley Rd that runs through Denali National Park is closed past a few miles in to personal vehicles: Visit the Wilderness Information Center (WIC), ~$30-40 for a camper bus pass, allowing unlimited access to the national park via the park road. Personal vehicles are not allowed within the park, so traveling on the contracted bus lines is the only way to get around.
Beta sites[edit]
- http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2008/07/dialysis-doesnt-stop-dea.html
- http://twoakhuskies.blogspot.com/2012/08/sanctuary-river-packraft.html
- http://withoutbaggage.com/essays/packrafting-denali-sanctuary-river/