Outdoorsman, climber and aspiring filmmaker Clint Helander and six of his friends took the Alaska Railroad from Talkeetna north to Curry for a packrafting adventure. The team made a whistle-stop at a remote spot to hike in to Clear Creek (Chunilna Creek on most maps). According to Helander, it's "a simply wonderful section of water that flows north of the Talkeena River for about 20 miles before joining into it. With solitude, crystal-clear water and sections of very splashy rapids, this is a packrafting dream trip."
The hikers/floaters also included Shasta Hood, Logan Bean, Tad McCrae, Erin Johnson, Sarah Heck and Chris Page. The group hiked up and over Curry Ridge to the creek. The alpine tundra provided "absolutely incredible views of the Alaska Range, so close that you feel like you could touch it," says Helander. Excellent camping can be found at one of two lakes, according to Helander.
The wildlife was plentiful. But there was a reminder of civilization: the enormous Alaska Intertie power line. The 170-mile line on towering poles between Willow and Healy services areas north of the Alaska Range. For part of the journey, the group hiked directly under the line.
Floating down Clear Creek to the Talkeetna River was "one of the best trips I've ever done in Alaska and I will certainly go back," says Helander.
For more information and discussion about packrafting in Alaska, visit the packrafting forum.
To submit your video to Alaska Dispatch News contact Tara Young at tara(at)alaskadispatch.com.