Tazlina to Million Dollar Bridge

MAPS:
USGS Quadrangle Maps - 1:63,360 Gulkana (A-3), Valdez (D-4), (D-3), (C-3), (C-2), (B-3), (B-2), (A-3) and Cordova (D-2), (C-2). 1:250,000 Gulkana, Valdez and Cordova

DISTANCE:
Approximately 140 miles

TIME: 5-10 days

ACCESS:
Road access via the Richardson Highway to the Tazlina River rest area at Mile 110.6. Alternate put-ins are the Klutina River confluence at Copper Center or the Copper River Bridge at Chitina via the Edgerton Highway.

ROUTE:
From the Put-in at Tazlina, it is 1/2 mile to the confluence with the Copper River. Watch for shallow spots and rocks along the Tazlina. The Copper River is a large glacial river with mostly Class I and II water. From the Tazlina River to the confluence with the Chitina River, the Copper meanders through a valley sided with forested bluffs. The river is braided for the most part and navigating the main channel is necessary to keep from running aground on gravel bars. Waves and holes along various stretches make for exciting travel.

From Chitina, the river cuts through the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound on the Gulf of Alaska. High winds along this stretch of the route can make travel difficult. It is recommended to travel in the morning as the winds tend to come up in the afternoon, blowing dust along the gravel bars and making downstream travel almost impossible at times.

Just south of Chitina, the Copper passes through Wood Canyon, a scenic section of fast water. Beyond Wood Canyon is the Haley Creek hydraulic which can be avoided by staying river-left. There are numerous campspots with clearwater streams along the way, and also scenic and historic areas that make for interesting side-trips.

Near the confluence with the Bremner River, the river braids extensively, and the main channels are usually found toward river-right. Approximately 8 miles before the Million Dollar Bridge are the Abercrombie Rapids, a series of large waves and fast water. This area can be avoided by staying on river-right, although some rough water may be encountered here as well.

Beyond the rapids is Miles Lake, an area of slow, flat water. This area is very scenic as the lake is bounded by the Miles Glacier to the east. Take-out is at the other end of the lake at the Million Dollar Bridge. A pick-up and transportation to Cordova should be arranged for this area.