The Awe-Inspiring Place In Alaska That Will Lead You Straight Into Another Country
By Courtney|Published February 16, 2017
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Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
Load up and head southeast to the pristine wilderness area in which you will find the small town of Wrangell. With a year-round population sitting just under 2,500 residents, this cherished place is known for its rich Tlingit culture, gorgeous glacial land, prolific fisheries, lush beauty of the surrounding Tongass National Forest and the seemingly unlimited outdoor recreational activities.
What is interesting about Wrangell is that it was originally founded by the Russians and is one of the oldest non-native settlements in the Last Frontier. In many ways, it is a cultural melting pot with many connections to different countries. Specifically speaking, Wrangell is known as the ‘gateway to the Stikine River’ which flows through epic glaciated canyon lands from British Columbia and ends at the mouth near the town of Wrangell. This wildly rugged river is truly a unique masterpiece.
But don't let that deter you from visiting. Once you arrive, you'll have access to over 100 miles of forest roads that offer excellent outdoor opportunities for mountain bikers, hikers, RV'ers, and other explorers wishing to access the area's many remote lakes, rivers, campsites, trails and overlooks.
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One of the area's most prized attractions is the nearby 335 mile long Stikine River that runs from British Columbia down towards the town of Wrangell.
Near the mouth of the Stikine River you'll find Little Dry Island, which is a great place to enjoy an overnight stay in a state cabin while taking in the beautiful estuary views.
The Great Glacier is Canada's largest outlet glacier from the Stikine Icefield and was named after the glacier expanded to cover extensive lowlands on the Stikine River during the late 19th century.
During 1914 and for several years following, visitors used to flock to the Great Glacier near the Stikine River to take in all the expansive glacial beauty that painted valleys ice blue.
However today areas like the Great Glacier, LeConte Glacier and the Shakes Glacier now drain into an open lake as the glacial area has receded tremendously over the last 100 years.
Although kayaking the Stikine can be a peaceful, leisurely stroll if you stay out of the rapids - most seek out this area out in hopes of the ultimate adrenaline packed adventure.
In fact, even the most seasoned of the kayaking crowd often times choose to forgo this extreme experience because it is such a risky trek with deadly obstacles around every bend.
Start your trek in British Columbia and if you make it out alive, you'll be lead straight into the United States ending your journey in the greatest state in the nation - ALASKA!
So you can either get busy living, or get busy dying. Or you can push the envelope altogether and get busy doing the most deadly sports known to mankind.
If you spent your entire lifetime roaming around the Last Frontier, we think it would be hard to find anything as awe-inspiring as this epic canyon in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
Ready to see all the wild action of the remote Stikine rapids up close and personal? Check out the epic YouTube video below and get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor as you watch in amazement.
