Recreation at Copper Center, Alaska
Crazy about Copper Country
By Justin Matley - Coast Magazine, 2008
Regular use of explosives has become a thing of the past for long-time prospecting and mining communities in the Copper Valley. However, the region has itself become a DYNAMITE, outdoor playground! The explosion is in the boom of tourism opportunities, catering to the ever growing popularity of outdoor recreational adventure. During the last ten years, communities like Copper Center and Glennallen have developed into not-to-be-passed attractions along the Richardson Highway, so if you thought you knew all the highlights of Alaska, think again. The Copper Country, as they say, is your ticket to a new and exciting getaway, supporting outdoor activities for every adventurer. The lid on this secret sensation has been blown clean off!
The views in the Copper Valley alone are enough to draw attention to this unspoiled and remote region of Alaska. Yet, the splendor made up of its many rivers, majestic mountains and wide, evergreen spaces is only a half-day drive from Anchorage along arguably the best scenic route in Alaska. Twenty miles out of Glennallen, heading east and nearing the Copper River Valley along the Alaska Highway, Mount Drum can be seen rising up from the horizon at the farthest, viewable end of the road. It and the other welcoming peaks of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park are a calling card to visitors that they’ve made the right choice in visiting the countryside the peaks preside over.
During the last decade a number of tourism services have sprung up to provide visitors with greater access to these lands, giving them the time of their lives and everlasting memories. These include guided ATV excursions, rafting and jetboat tours, guided fishing and river access, flightseeing, the Kennecott Mine tour, and others. Lodging has also increased greatly. Though campgrounds and comfortable inns like the historic Copper Center Roadhouse have been around for years, the area has also seen the addition of a Princess Lodge as well as many privately owned bed-n-breakfasts. And, many of these service providers have collaborated to further enhance the enjoyment and comfort of tourists, working together to keep visitors’ time filled with fun, exciting experiences.
For example, the ATV tour can be booked right from the front desk of the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge in cooperation with the providing vendor, Copper River Adventure Tours. Managed by resident Travis Cronin with the aid of friendly, outgoing tour guides, Hannah and Joanna Dorsey, this tour has an inside track on a number of thrilling trails, invigorating overlooks, water crossings, wildlife views and local knowledge that they eagerly share along the way. Favored vehicles include Yamaha Rhinos; multi passenger, mini 4x4s; as well as standard four-wheelers. All ATVs are equipped with automatic transmissions, large engines, reverse and four-wheel drive to handle the Alaskan terrain.
This exciting, off-road opportunity, great for both novices and advanced riders, heads out from the Princess Lodge along wide trails carved through the backcountry. The procession of ATVs and riders starts out by skirting along bluffs of the Klutina River. The captivating scenery passes by quickly, but regular stops or those by request allow everyone to take it all in, helmets off, standing at the edge of a never-ending view across Alaskan wilderness. Back on the trail, the tour follows switchbacks through spruce and dogwood, past grassy slopes and wildflowers, down to the river’s edge. The quick flowing, aqua Klutina is a beautiful backdrop for group photos, and making your own waves through shallows of the river and flooded trails is an option depending on the riders’ wishes. Guides also give clients options to take different trails, the high road or the low road as it were. Wildlife viewing, quicker cruising, or the Trans-Alaska Pipeline? It’s all up to you.
The rivers of the Copper Valley may best be experienced through a combination guided rafting and fishing trip, offering heavy action on the end of your line between periods of lazily floating with the currents. Soak up the views as an eagle glides across the open water, swoops down to snatch a fish from the shallows and carries it up to a nest in the high bluffs. All the while, absorb your guide’s knowledge of reading the river and bait presentation, becoming a better fisherman and more importantly, one that won’t go home empty netted. Each river provides unique opportunities for a variety of fish species, so there’s something for every angler. Cast for king salmon on the Gulkana River, dip for sockeye on the Copper, land a silver on the banks of the Klutina, or perhaps do a little fly fishing for trout and grayling.
Fishing can also be a blast from the back of a jetboat. These shallow, current cruisers cover miles quickly and can also be outfitted for large, sightseeing groups. The Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness Jetboat Adventure transports passengers back in time as they skip along the Copper River riffles past untouched wilderness. Wildlife sightings are common, and guides Mike and Matt Keogh are quick to stop for up-close and personal viewing. The tour climaxes as passengers are escorted to shore for a walking tour of Mike and Matt’s personal discovery of a prospector’s encampment. The value of the trip is in the knowledge gained as they share historical details about the region, artifacts and an example of camp life complete with tools, clothing and a stocked supply tent. Brief gold panning is also provided on site.
For foot traffic, hands-on exploration or flightseeing, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park can’t be beat. Sure, we all love Denali, but the acreage of Wrangell-St. Elias could engulf Denali more than two times over with its 13.2 million acres of national park and preserve lands. The National Park Service describes Wrangell-St. Elias as the “preeminent mountain wilderness”. It’s a land of discovery suitable for everything from roadside sightseeing to backcountry, wilderness expeditions into the unknown where perhaps no man has ever set foot. It is comprised of nine of North America’s tallest peaks, four individual mountain ranges, coastline of the Gulf of Alaska and Yakutat Bay, North America’s highest concentration of glaciers, and many more astounding features. At the visitor center, an interpretive ranger can suggest trails and excursions for every ability level and purpose.
Copper Country could take a lifetime to fully explore, but it can be greatly enjoyed during the course of a single weekend. As a recommendation, visitors should attempt to stay at least three days. This will allow for two days of exciting fishing and river exploration and some fun four-wheeling. The third day could be used to relax and take in the sights or perhaps do a little hiking. Keep in mind, much of the land along the Copper River is under the ownership of native corporation, Ahtna, so be sure to respect posted signs and obtain permission for land use. Ahtna does allow camping and hiking after obtaining a permit, and costs are low.
Not enough can be said about the magnitude of activities and excitement that can be had in the Copper Valley. The thing to keep in mind is that this bit of Heaven on Earth is only a drive away, and the adventures are for each to make for themselves. So get on out there and have a dynamite time. See for yourself what all the noise is about.
