Swanson/Canoe Lakes Canoe Trip???

[Mountain Man Jack]

We're looking to do a 2.5 day canoe trip, about 7 hours of mild paddling for 2 days and would like to do it around the Swanson river. We would like to put in at one spot and get out at another. Does anyone have a good suggestion for this type of trip in this area?

 

[RMK]

There are two options down there

There are two options down there

You have a couple options down there.

You have the lakes option. There are various loops to do. You can also do a lake/Moose River combo.

The other option is the Swanson River. It requires a drop off or pick up, because you will finish a long way from the put it. The river is very rocky. It's hard on a canoe. I've done it twice in a fiberglass canoe with no holes, but lot of scratches.

Some parts are so slow, you can't tell which way the river is flowing. Other sections are quite lively. But the common theme is ROCKS!

Here is a link to a great web site with maps and information. I also picked up the book they show on there.

http://www.northlite.biz/canoe/

 

[hooternanny]

knwr has literature available

knwr has literature available

the swanson river canoe trail system

click on this link and see the map? the map is poor on line but thats the map you want. they cost about 5 bucks at walmart.

depending on how you go, you will do the according amount of portaging.

and you will notice, that you can put in at paddle lake and go to the river and float all the way to the ocean if you want, but probably should stop near captian cook park


http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=689029

and here are some other links of intrest-

http://www.alaska-fishing-charter.net/canoeing2.htm

http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/canoe.htm

 

[hooternanny]

and...

and...

http://www.kenaipeninsula.org/kenai_guide/Swanson River Road.htm

 

[RMK]

An interesting trip

An interesting trip

Hey Hoot.

I took out at Cpt. Cook Park myself. Once I did the trip in 2 days, and once in 3 days. I guess it depends on how much you want to fish, and how much it rains. We were tired of being soaked on one trip and just paddled through. The link I posted is the same maps that you put up. That guy wrote a pretty good book on the area.

 

[hooternanny]

yes rmk

yes rmk

and if the poster will get that map, he'll see he can avoid the lakes and portaging all together by just putting in at the river.

but i hope he'll go in at paddle lake. your timing is right on and just going the river is not the same-

also it'd be wise to harvest a blackie on that trip. the population is healthy in there right now

 

[toofewweekends]

another option

another option

I've always thought about going between the east and west entrance on the Swan Lake side. Lock a bike somewhere in the woods on the west side, drive to the east end. Then paddle however long and come out on the west. One person sits with the canoe and enjoys beverages, the second rides the bike (with the car key) and brings back the vehicle. Might be a don't ask-don't tell thing with the bike....

 

[hooternanny]

hahahaha

hahahaha

the second rides the bike (with the car key) and brings back the vehicle. Might be a don't ask-don't tell thing with the bike....

love that with the car key comment. busted me up laughing

those [email protected] car keys can cause big, big problems

 

[Sid]

Swanson canoe trip

Swanson canoe trip

if you want to go in one spot an come out a different one there will be a lot fo paddleing, if you want a enjoyable trip contact MAX on this web site at alaskacanoe he will help an give you some pointers, he runs the canoe operation at the moose an Kenie in Sterling
the 2.5 day is easy if you go in an out the same point, but if you want to fish some it will be tuff, if you know all the take outs an don't spend much time fishing it can be dun, a trip is to have fun not kill your self, some of the suggestions are from people that know the system I think
my 2 cts

sid

 

[RMK]

Beware

Beware

I've always thought about going between the east and west entrance on the Swan Lake side. Lock a bike somewhere in the woods on the west side, drive to the east end. Then paddle however long and come out on the west. One person sits with the canoe and enjoys beverages, the second rides the bike (with the car key) and brings back the vehicle. Might be a don't ask-don't tell thing with the bike....

I have heard of thefts in the Swanson Lake area. So hide your stuff well.

I did a similar thing on my first float. I "stashed" my canoe in the woods at Cpt. Cook Campground in Kenai, and hitchhiked back to the Swanson put in. That was a hassle.

The next time, we drove to the end and prestaged a truck.

I think the best would be drop off/pick up.