highlights

Anan
Wildlife Observatory

Cultural Connections

LeConte & Shakes Glaciers

Stikine River

Tongass national Forest

Enjoy the Alaska that Alaskans enjoy!

The advantage of exploring the Inside Passage with us is that we include some of the best opportunities for Alaskan experiences. These rival and even surpass some of the better known, more crowded destinations in the state.

You'll spend more time experiencing these natural wonders and less time traveling.

 

Anan Wildlife Observatory

Located approximately 30 miles south of Wrangell, Anan Creek boasts the 3rd largest concentration of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska, bringing with it a unique combination of black and brown bear congregating for the feast. During July & August the salmon return for the annual spawning runs and the bears give chase.

A US Forest Service regulated and managed facility, Anan provides an opportunity for safe access to one of the most amazing opportunities for wildlife viewing in the world. Numbers are limited to provide an unobtrusive experience for bears and humans alike.

We travel by covered and heated US Coast Guard approved vessels. Our guides are experienced and knowledgeable Alaskans with one thing in mind - your safety and enjoyment.

 

The total experience is one sure
to be remembered for a lifetime.

Cultural Connections

This region of the state is truly a melting pot of cultures from a rich living history of the First Nations inhabitants through colorful periods of gold rush history and exploration.

Today the resource based economy has its own interesting story to tell in the way of commercial fishing, timber harvest, and mining. Many fine artists and crafters share their love and interpretation of the beauty of this land and are an integral part of our programs. We respect and honor these traditions and lifestyles, and provide that 'person to person' connection to enrich your experience and understanding of our Alaskan Lifestyle.
 

LeConte & Shakes Glaciers

Flowing for thousands of years from the vast Stikine-LeConte ice fields these two distinctly different glaciers are impressive examples of the power of nature. Massive icebergs calve regularly from the faces of these amazing monoliths.

LeConte Glacier, the fastest moving glacier in the world, is the southern most tidewater glacier in Alaska. The daily ebb and flow of the tide continually washes the leading edge as it descends the valley creating dramatic displays of icebergs calving into the deep green waters.

Shakes Glacier is an interesting example of lateral moraines and features indicative of its sculpting power shaping the landscape as it empties into the 700+ foot depths of Shakes Lake.

Visiting these spectacular monoliths, we weave our way through gardens of icebergs resembling ever-changing ice sculptures towering above us. Our guests who have traveled other areas of the state rate this as their top up close glacier viewing experience.
 

Stikine River

Traveling over 400 miles from the interior of British Columbia, the Stikine River winds its way to the sea. From its placid beginnings in the Spatsizi Wilderness of British Columbia, the Stikine watershed covers over 220,000 square miles, flowing to become the fastest free-flowing navigable river in North America.

Countless glaciers and streams as well as several other major rivers, feed into this magnificent waterway, all adding to the volume of this untamed wilderness treasure. Early native inhabitants named the Stikine - meaning “the Great River”, its corridor being one of the migratory routes from interior to coast for thousands of years.

We travel its lower reaches from Wrangell, exploring idyllic wilderness, waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs. Wildlife viewing includes black and brown bear, beaver, moose, mountain goat, and even the occasional elusive wolf.

The lure of this mighty river has called to early explorers and fortune seekers, and adventurers making a lasting impression on all who discover its magic. Famous naturalist John Muir traveled this valley and likened it to “a Yosemite Valley 100 miles long”.

"The majestic cliffs and mountains forming the canyon-walls display endless variety of form and sculpture, and are wonderfully adorned and enlivened with glaciers and waterfalls, while throughout almost its whole extent the floor is a flowery landscape garden..."

- excerpt from "Travels in Alaska" by naturalist John Muir
 

Tongass national Forest

Rainforest in Alaska? Absolutely! Blanketing nearly 17 million acres of mountains, islands, and valleys, the Tongass National Forest is our country’s largest. Our maritime climate supports the largest tract of temperate rainforest in the world with this lush and amazing blending of ecosystems unique to Alaska.

Extending along the Alexander Archipelago from its southern boundary to its northern border the dense forests of Hemlock, Spruce and Cedar covered the landscape as glaciers receded from the area 12-14,000 years ago. Approximately 1⁄3 of the Tongass is covered in wetlands known as muskeg, with its own unusual and unique diversity, acting as important water reserves for the surrounding forest.

Rainfall is one of the defining features of the rainforest averaging from 80 to over 200 inches of precipitation a year in some places. However, with shallow soils over bedrock, the water drains quickly into these natural reservoirs and cascades from the mountains in innumerable and spectacular waterfalls.

Why is there logging in the Tongass National Forest?
National Forests differ from National Parks in that they were established for multiple use as a resource base for our country’s needs. Those needs include recreation, and wilderness as well as logging and mining. Different areas of the Tongass have different land use designations. Approximately 5 million acres have been identified as commercial forest with 2 million of that available for timber harvest. Over 5 1/2 million acres have been set aside as designated wilderness areas. The balance exists as a tremendous opportunity for recreation and exploration of our public lands.

Rainwalker Expeditions is an equal opportunity provider and permit holder of the Tongass National Forest.