Lake Cr. or the Tal?

[abel6wt]

I doubt much explanation is needed for this thread, but here is a little anyway. My brother and a friend of his are coming up in mid-July. We have 5 full days and some shoulder time for a flyout. The obvious two(of the floats I haven't done) are Lake Cr. or the Talachulitna, considering our location and budget. Any opinions/first hand exp.? We are leaning to Lake Cr. because I feel like the Tal might be a longer trip than the time we have alotted and Lake Cr. is more consistent in terms of flow and water levels. Blah, blah, blah. What do you guys/gals think? Thanks, abel6wt

[AlaskaTrueAdventure]

Your experience level?

In order to assist you, to help guide you, we will need to know a tiny bit about you. What is your level of experience? How many hours/miles of class III do you have? Any class IV?
What is the roughest river in Alaska that you have rafted?

Dennis
AK TAGS

[Jim Strutz]

I know able6wt has rafted Talkeetna Canyon at high water. That's a pretty solid class IV. Been lots of other stuff too.

I've not been on ether of these two, so I'll just listen in.

[AlaskaTrueAdventure]

Lake Creek!

...then he can do either and I would recommend Lake Creek. I generally rate Lake Creek one level higher than some other rafters. Perhaps I am not as good as others or perhaps I'm just more conservative. I reccommend Lake Creek because....everybody needs to do it and see it at least one time. Although I have only done it once, it is again on my to-do list.

I did Lake Creek only one time during a warm last week in June ('06?) and it was very sensational rafting. It was very great, grand and beautiful Class III and a surprising stretch of class IV. The middle river water was enough that I did not let my partners touch the oars at all...(it's my boat). The first and last day of rafting is simple moving, flat water. The middle two days was a blast and more than I had been verbally prfepared for.

(The King fishing on that trip was sub-standard.)

Dennis
AK TAGS

[abel6wt]

Thanks for the replies all, and the voucher, Jim. I was pretty sure the end result was going to be Lake Cr. so i am excited by the info in these replies. I was sort of down on Lake Cr. because of its popularity(I don't know why that is a detraction, but it is). I also got the impression, from many sources, that it is tamer than the replies i've heard here. Take class III/IV, add good fishing and you have yourself a helluva 5 day trip - can't wait. Keep the opinions flowing(keeps my mind on the river and off of work).Take care, abel6wt