Kuskulana

1. Nugget Creek to McCarthy Road(Upper Gorge)

Reach banner
DifficultyIV+
Length19 mi
Avg Gradient80 fpm
Reach Info Last UpdatedMarch 26, 2018

River Description

'Narrow enough at the top to throw a rock across and at the bottom not much wider than a boat length and often undercut, the Kuskulana Gorge is visually spectacular from the air and from the rim, and incredibly so from far down inside, in a kayak...' -Andy Embick from ' Fast and Cold: A guide to Alaska Whitewater.'

Check out the story from the AW Archives: click here.

There exists a well-written trip report in the American Whitewater journal by Roger Pollard titled, ' Kuskalana! An Alaskan Wilderness Adventure.' Published May-June issue, 1995, pages 55-62.


River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 19 mi
Take Out

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


Put-in for the Kuskulana. Wrangell Mountains in the background

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


The late and humble Xavier Engle deep in the Kuskulana

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


Kuskalana Gorge from the Air

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


Kuskulana Bridge near take-out. Paddler Brian Teal

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


Brian Teale at the put-in circa 1994 with Mt Blackburn in the background

AM
Andy McMurray

Jan 1, 1900


Brian Teale in the Kuskulana gorge

RP
Roger Pollard

Jan 1, 1900


Brian Teale in the narrow, deep, and mysterious upper gorge.