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Happy River Points
1
The lower put in is at Halfway Lake and has a bit more volume at this point and the run to the Swentna River is 27 miles of continuous rocky rapids of Class III to III+. A Cessna 206 or DeHaviland Beaver on floats is available from Susitna Air Service at Kashwitna Lake and likely from other Willow and Talkeetna based flight operators.
2
Most groups will continue floating down the Skwentna River to where a floatplane can land on the river. The first opportunity comes 34 miles from the mouth of the Happy River and is below the mouth of the Talachulitna River.
3
Another put in option is to fly into Puntilla Lake and coordinate with Rainy Pass Lodge to take you down to the river on horseback. It’s a full day of effort to pack and trudge your gear the 1 – 2 miles down a horse trail to the river, and a lot more work than just flying into Sheep Lake. I might just mention that it’s been done, is possible, but a lot of work. I guess it makes sense if you want to spend a couple days at a lodge before beginning… ...more
4
The upper put in is at Sheep Lake and is well above tree line where the river is crystal clear, very tight, yet low volume; more creek than river, and runs 34 miles to the Skwentna River.
5
You could float an additional 20 miles to Skwentna Village where there are regular flights back to Anchorage, but, perhaps, not Willow or Talkeetna. The Skwentna is, also, a scenic float through some small canyons and among braids and multiple channels. Prearrange this with your flight operator.