Nizina Glacier Lake: Fly Out, Raft Back
The Plan
McCarthy is often referred to as the "Packrafting Capital of the World," and for good reason! The amount and quality of rivers and lakes that are easily accessed with a packraft is unsurpassed (at least in my very humble opinion). One of these amazing trips is to fly to the Nizina glacier lake and make your way back home over a few days.
Packrafting is not something to take lightly, especially in Alaska, where it is often difficult to get up-to-date and accurate information about the river conditions. Anyone wanting to do this trip who does not have the requisite experience would be well advised to hire one of the excellent local guide services to accompany them.
The trip begins with a flight into the backcountry airstrip. The flight is short but scenic, with views of glacial valleys and braided rivers that you’ll soon be floating through. Once you land, it’s time to inflate your boats, gear up in your dry suit and PFD, and push off onto the milky waters of the glacier lake. If you go early enough in the season you might catch teal waters, but later on it starts to turn brown with run off sediment from glacial melt.
The lake paddle is mellow—but keep your distance from the icebergs! They’re beautiful, but they’re also unpredictable. Calving ice and flipping bergs can be deadly, and the only true precaution you can take is being no where near them, so paddling does come with a risk in this lake. If you would like to skip paddling across the lake, we offer landings on either side of Nizina Lake at Doubtful Creek Strip and Nizina Glacier Strip.
Safely on the other side, it’s time to find a nice spot to set up camp with views of the glacier and the Nizina River stretching into the distance.
How Long to Paddle?
Next morning you have some options. If you are short on time you can get up, get ready, and paddle the entire section of the Nizina river back to the pick up bridge in one day. It’s a big day, but doable.
Another option (and what I might say is the better option) is to take a bit more time and explore! After breakfast, it is possible to hike upstream from the glacier lake and view wildlife (we had a bear accompany us on our trip), clear streams and the toe of the glacier. The toe of the glacier is a great spot for lunch. Who wouldn't want to pair eating their sandwich with watching the glacier calve?
After hiking and lunch, time to again get the boats and gear ready for the river portion of the trip. The Nizina is a braided river and the sections of the river where the channels merge can get a bit spicy. Route-finding on the river is part of the experience—choosing the wrong braid could lead to missing a pull out or a heavy walk along a gravel bar.
A bit downstream another great spot to stop is a riverside waterfall.
After a fun afternoon of floating, a great spot to stop and explore is near the mile high cliffs. Later, we made camp below the cliffs, setting up tents in the fireweed and falling asleep to the sound of the river. An experience we won’t soon forget!
The Takeout
Finally, the next morning it will be time to quietly float back to "civilization"... The take out is still miles away from town so you will have to arrange for local transportation to be there for a pick up, that or end your relaxing float with a hefty hike back to town!
Final Thoughts
This trip is incredible—but it’s not for beginners. Packrafting in Alaska comes with a steep learning curve, and conditions can change fast. If you’re new to this kind of trip, or even just to this river, consider going with a local guide. They know the river, they know the risks, and they’ll help you get the most out of the experience.
The Nizina Glacier Lake to McCarthy route combines flightseeing, lake paddling, hiking, and river travel into a few unforgettable days. The water may be chilly, but once you’re out there, with the glacier behind you and the river pulling you home, it all feels worth it.
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