Chickaloon

Chickaloon river review:
4 ¾ stars
The Chickaloon river is a fast pace, 18 mile river that has very few stops or breaks in action. The Chicaloon is perfect for class III-IIII boaters. It is also good for practicing boofs over ledge holes. The only thing that makes the chicaloon and 4 ¾ star river is the fact that it is a helicopter fly in. Other than that the Chickaloon has strong and swift water that do not stop for almost 18 miles straight.

Chickaloon guide:
Once your done with the logistical problems of getting the helicopter, landing and getting you’re boats ready to go you will be able to start the fun part. The valley is so pretty and lush, it feels like you are in a jungle with small, creek waterfalls but you can't focus on the beauty to much, you have to get ready to paddle this glacial river. The chickaloon has light gray water and is surrounded by wildlife and lush, green trees. Once getting in the river you will be surrounded by the cold waters and lush forests of the Chickaloon. Following the first 2 miles of hectic water the most dangerous rapid is coming up and it is called hotel rocks. Hotel rocks is class IIII and has multiple rocks the size of hotels that also have undercuts the sizes of hotels. You can portage this rapid by catching an eddy 100 yards upstream of the first rock on the river right. I’d you decide to walk the rapid you can find the trail just above the first large rock. The trail was most likely made by a bear because only about 15 humans come to this area a year and most of the time them can run the rapid because they are normally in rafts which have more control of the river. The portage is tough and can take about 15-20 minutes of hiking, there will also be a part that you have to grapple your boats down a steep with a throw rope or webbing. After the long hike you will come up to a rock beach that is just before the last rock, this rock can be easily avoided. The river will be fast paced and free for the next 5 miles. Once you see a canyon it is best you turn on whitewater mode and run the canyon to the left side. The left side will get you through the canyon safely and easily. The river will give you the next 10 miles of fun and free water. Once the Chickaloon dumps into the Matanuska you will get a mile of Matanuskan big water. After a rapid on the far right the take out will be on the river right behind the large rock.