Tonsina

Put-in:

Bridge over the Tonsina near Tonsina Lodge or Squirrel Creek Campground.

Take-out:

Bridge that crosses the lower Tonsina at mile 19.3 of the Edgerton Highway.

Description:

The Tonsina, meaning 'Big Water' in Athabascan, is a pleasant wilderness run loaded with beautiful scenery and relatively good weather given it's proximity as an interior river. Views of the Wrangell's are abudant and the river has a reputation for plentiful runs of King, Red, and Silver salmon. Moose and bear sightings are not uncommon.

After five miles into the run, the most difficult rapids are reached which consist of a few straight forward but powerful hydraulics. High bluffs dot the shoreline. After the rapids be prepared for log jams in the latter portion of the run.

River Wrangellers, based out of Copper Center, commerically rafts this section and others in the area. Contact them for updates on strainers, portages, etc.

http://www.riverwrangellers.com