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Alaska waterways
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| Name | Representing |
| Mike Wright | BOR, Anchorage |
| Bob Stevens | U.S.B.S.F.& W., Anchorage |
| Roger Bolstad, | BLM, Fairbanks |
| Caroll Rombarg | Alaska Water Lab, Fairbanks |
| June Weinstock | ACS, Fairbanks |
| Barbara Winkley | ACS, Anchorage |
The party left Fort Yukon by turbo beaver aircraft at 10:00 a.m., June 13, 1973 and landed on Last Lake adjacent the Sheenjek at 11:30 a.m. The first day was spent at Last Lake (uppermost lake in the
| NOTE: These reports may not contain important information about: 1) safety, 2) land management and ownership, 3) fishing and other regulations and 4) possible errors > READ MORE |
Sheep trails could be observed on mountains
adjacent last lake although no Dall sheep were observed on the entire downriver
trip. An occasional grizzly track was observed but again, no grizzly
observations were recorded. Moose sign was observed on the upper reaches of the
Sheenjek but browse reflected light use with the exception of some open valley
bottomlands where heavy browse use was recorded. Grayling averaging
approximately 4-7 inches were abundant at last lake outlet. A list of recorded
birds is attached in the appendix of this report. Mosquitoes were abundant
throughout the entire trip with the exception of wind blown gravel bars.
June 14, the party left Last Lake (9:30 a.m.) via a small narrow outlet channel
for approximately ¾ mile reaching an unnamed lake covered with aufeis ice,
formed by freezing of successive stream overflows during winter. Canoes were
dragged over the surface ice for approximately 1.5 miles reaching an open water
channel, which flowed into the Sheenjek. Open water streams channels before
reaching the Sheenjek were clear running and numerous 4-7 inch grayling were
abundant. The Sheenjek itself was dirty carrying deposits of sediment from
upstream glaciers melting and runoff. Approximately 15 miles below Last Lake,
camp was set up for the evening. Animals observed included one red fox, nine
baldpates, one bald eagle, one marsh hawk, gulls (probably mews), bank swallows,
scaups and ptarmigan. River travel averaged approximately 4 miles per hour. A
small lake back of our campsite contained numerous small grayling.
June 15, downriver travel started at 10:00 a.m. Class I water was encountered
till the party reached an unnamed 3,500-foot mountain adjacent the Sheenjek
approximately 5 miles below Lobo Lake. Class II water was recorded for
approximately 200 yards near this mountain. Since the river was high, most
boulders were under water and negotiation of the rapids was easy. During low
water, however, care should be exercised through this stretch of river. Two
immature golden eagles were observed near the 3,500-foot mountain. One cliff
nest was observed but no active nesting was noted. Evening camp was set up near
Table Mountain where a small fresh water creek entered the Sheenjek. Grizzly
tracks were present and heavy willow browsing was observed at this campsite
(moose). Arctic terns, Mew gulls, scaup, shoveler, buffleheads, baldpates,
yellow legs and various passerines were observed. Lobo Lake was not visited
during the days travel. One red fox walked within 20 yards of camp that evening.
From Last Lake to this campsite magnificent scenery (foot hills of Brooks Range)
was encountered. Old Woman Creek, which entered the Sheenjek from the west bank
approximately one mile below Lobo Lake, was running muddy and a poor camp
location.
June 21, 1973. Camp departure 8:15 a.m. Floated 7.5 hours that day and totaled
about 30 river miles. Three cabins located near the Thluichohnjik Creek were not
located due to river channel changes and working from 1:250,000 scale maps (1
inch scale maps not available). Some man cut logs were noted on the west bank
near cabin map location. We passed Outlook Point (last good land mark using
1:250,000 maps) and camped that evening approximately 12 miles below Outlook
Point. The river was now large with numerous sweepers. Fresh water tributaries
were not abundant but excellent gravel bars for campsites were available.
Fishing was poor due to murky water. Views from the river were confined to about
200 feet back from the bank. Two butoes and one moose were observed. Beaver bank
houses increased as dense poplar stands and mud banks increased. Waterfowl
numbers increased as well as passerines. Prevailing winds to this point from
Last Lake were southerly and winds made for difficult downstream travel.
June 22, 1973. Camp departure 8:15 a.m. Floated 7 hours for total river travel
of 28 miles (4 miles per hour average) and camped approximately 5 miles below
Shuman Lake (Fort Yukon Dl map). We encountered difficulty locating ourselves on
the 1” scale maps after coming off the 1:250,000 Christian Quad. We later found
out our average of 4 miles per hour quite accurate. Numerous river channel
changes had occurred on the FY Dl map (1956 vintage). We found two trappers
cabin on the Sheenjek near Gailey Lake. The cabins were will supplied with
trapping equipment and in good repair.
June 23, 1973. Camp departure 8:15 a.m. We floated for 7 hours (actual float
time) and logged 28 miles river travel. Strong southerly winds make portions of
the river difficult paddling. We camped that evening about 0.5 mile upstream
from where the Sheenjek leaves the FY Dl Quad.
June 24, 1973. Departed camp 8:15 a.m. Reached the confluence of the Porcupine
River at 9:30 a.m., which was running dirty. We stopped for lunch at Joe Carrol
Cabin (FY C-2 Quad). A one pike approximately 15 pound was caught. This was the
only northern pike caught on the float study. Other tributary streams were
fished without success. Below Carrols cabin, we traveled the Black River Slough
(3 miles shorter than north channel). We camped 1.5 miles above Seventeen Mile
Slough.
June 25, 1973. Camp departure 8:15 a.m. Reached Hospital Lake (Fort Yukon) 12:30
p.m. portage from Porcupine to Hospital Lake was willow and alder thickets so we
hiked to Fort Yukon and obtained a riverboat and towed canoes to Fort Yukon.
A bird list and general information can be obtained in the PDF Sheenjek River
File by clicking on it below.
Sheenjek River [1658 kb]
List of rivers for which information is available on this website
Alagnak River | Alatna River | American Creek | Andreafsky River | Aniakchak River | Awuna River | Beaver Creek | Black River | Bremner River | Canning River | Charley River | Chilikadrotna River | Chitina River | Colville River | Copper River | Delta River | Fortymile River | Gulkana River | Huslia River | Ivishak River | John River | Kakhonak River | Kanektok River | Karluk River | Kasegaluk Lagoon | King Salmon River | Kobuk River | Koyukuk River North Fork | Little Susitna River | Mulchatna River | Nigu Etivluk rivers | Noatak River | Nowitna River | Nuyakuk River | Porcupine River | Saganirktok River | Salmon River (Kobuk) | Selawik River | Sheenjek River | Squirrel River | Talachulitna River | Tlikakila River | Togiak River | Unalakleet River | Utukok River
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