Page 15 - Richardson And Glenn Highways (East Alaska)

East Alaska 0 with Bearfoot TOKCUTOFF
WORLD FAMOUS SALMON
For rural people, the importance ofthe salmon migration up the Copper River and its tributaries cannot be underestimated. For centuries, Copper River salmon have provided sustenance for people living in the Copper Valley. They are a far more depend- able source of protein than the region's large mammals like moose and caribou.
RIVER JUNCTION
The Gakona and Gulkana Rivers enter the Copper River near Ga- kona Junction. The Copper River drains the entire region, and runs all the way to Cordova. The silty Gakona River, which starts in the Alaska Range, meets the muddy, multi-channeled Copper River at Gakona. There is a great viewpoint of this confluence at Mile 1 Tok Cutoff. The nearby Gulkana River is a clearwater stream, with grayling, rainbow and salmon. The Gulkana flows south from Paxson Lake, and is a recreational rafting, fishing and canoeing river, as well as one ofthe world 's most important salmon streams.
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TOWNS AN D PLACES TOSEE
At Gakona, the Glenn Highway runs 124 Mileseast toTok.Thisstretchisknown asthe Tok Cutoff, and the mile numbers restart at GakonaJunction.Here'salist oftownsandscenicviewsalongtheway.
Gakona Junction (Mile 0)
Turn east to Tok, north to Fairbanks.
River Viewpoint (Mile 1)
Nice overview of the Copper River and Wrangell Mountains.
Gakona (Mile 2)
Settlement with lodge, post office. Also a Native Alaskan village.
Chistochina (Mile 35)
Cultural Native Alaskan village. Locally made Native arts available.
Slana (Mile 60-70)
Last place to be federally homesteaded in the United States.
Nabesna Road (Mile 60) Gravel road into northern end of Wrangell-St. Elias Nation al Park.
Wrangell-St. EliasNational Park (Mile 60)
Help and directions at the National Park Service Visit or Ce nte r near the jun cti on
Porcupine Campground (Mile 64)
State facility. Small and quiet.
Mentasta Village (Mile 81)
TraditionalAhtnavillage.Ancestral home of Katie John. Northern edge of Aht na country,at theheadwatersoftheCopper River.
Eagle Trail Campground (Mile 109)
Camp alongthe trail that gold miners used in th e 1900's.
Tok (Mile 125)
Alaskabordertown.Thefirst largetown after you enter from Canada. Visitor infor- mation, and many tourist services. Tok is located at the intersection of the Alaska (Alca n) and Rich ardson Highways.
Public Restrooms on the Tok Cut-Off Mile 24, 35, 44, 60, 64, 75, 109
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