Custom Itinerary: Sustainable Tourism and Alaska’s National Parks

Sustainable Tourism and Alaska's National Parks (12 days)

Georgia Southern University

Denali National Park

Join us for an educational adventure in the Greatland!

This three credit summer field studies course is being offered through the Recreation and Tourism Management Program at Georgia Southern University with cooperation from Alaska Outdoors.

Topics will include the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism, the challenges of sustainable tourism development, and principles of natural/cultural resource management. An emphasis will be placed on the National Park Service’s dual mandate to provide accessible recreation opportunities while simultaneously protecting the region’s unique natural and cultural resources.

Students will have an opportunity to discuss current issues with professional land mangers, small business owners, park visitors, and local residents as we travel through some of Alaska’s most awe inspiring wilderness. The course will conclude with a three day rafting trip down the scenic Chitina River in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Caribou, Denali National Park

Information:

7/8: To Denali National Park

Today we travel north to Denali National Park. Mt. Denali (Mt. McKinley) (20,320 ft.), Mt. Foraker (17,400 ft.), and Mt. Hunter (14,573 ft.) are all visible from several vistas along the way.

Continuing north, we will head over Broad Pass and into the treeless north. On the north side of the Alaska Range we’ll meet up with the Nenana River which will lead us to Denali National Park.

7/9-10: Denali National Park

We’ll spend two full days exploring the Denali region.

One day is set aside for a wildlife bus trip into the heart of Denali National Park. Search for grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, arctic fox, and if your lucky, tremendous views of North America's largest mountain, Mt. McKinley (Denali).

The other day is set aside for activities based near the park entrance.

7/11-12: Nenana River

Today we will leave the road system for 2 nights to camp on the banks of the Nenana River. The isolation and solitude will provide an excellent opportunity to experience the Alaskan wilderness away from many of the influences of civilization.

7/13: Denali Highway and Tangle Lakes

Today we’ll travel the 120-mile unpaved Denali Highway along the south side of the Alaska Range to Tangle Lakes. Many Alaskans consider this to be one of the most beautiful areas in the state. The combination of remote, wild landscape, large mountains, and thousands of small lakes makes for an outstanding wilderness experience. We'll look for wildlife and stop along the way for short hikes to explore the treeless tundra. Camp at Tangle Lakes.

7/14: Wrangell St Elias National Park

We'll depart in the morning for a scenic drive to Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Our destination within the park is McCarthy, near the Kennecott Copper Mines. En route we'll cross the mighty Copper River at the town of Chitina (our river take-out) and travel the old railway path, now a gravel road, to McCarthy (our river put-in).

We'll camp at the end of the unpaved McCarthy Road near the Kennicott River (river put-in). A short walk across a footbridge brings us into McCarthy and, 4 miles up the hill, the old copper mining town of Kennicott. The turn of the century architecture of the copper mills in Kennicott is impressive even by today's standards.

7/15: Wrangell St Elias National Park

A full day to explore.

Rafting in Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Days 7/16-7/18: River Rafting

The rivers will dictate our schedule for the next few days.

Our daily schedule will go something like this…

We will plan on early breakfasts with possibly a short hike before we get on the river for a 4 to 6 hour float. We'll stop for lunch and to explore areas seldom visited. In the afternoons we'll pull off at beautiful, remote campsites and have time to relax and/or hike before dinner.

About the rivers

Our wilderness river trip will begin at the headwaters of the Kennicott River, a small but swift glacial fed river fed by the Kennicott Glacier.

After a few hours we'll reach the confluence of the Nizina River (also glacier fed) and a significant increase in water volume. Soon the Nizina will narrow through a steep walled canyon gorge with powerful swirling currents.

By the time we reach the confluence with the Chitina River our water volume will have increased significantly. Like many glacial rivers in Alaska (due to the heavy silt load), the Chitina river divides into dozens of different channels and meanders through a valley miles wide. We'll choose our route through the maze of different river channels and make our way to the Copper River.

Day 7/19: To Anchorage

We'll wake up on the Chitina River, float to the confluence of the Copper River in a few hours and take out at the town of Chitina. Chances are it will be the first time we've seen other people in three days. We'll load back into our van and be back in Anchorage by around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.

Day 7/20: Anchorage- Home

For additional information contact Dr. John Peden
(912) 681-5684, jpeden@georgiasouthern.edu

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