Princess' Copper River Lodge Excursions Showcase Wrangell-St. Elias
Guests Will Explore Stunning Wilderness Around Nation's Largest National Park
SANTA CLARITA, CA (January 30, 2002) - When Princess' newest Alaska property opens this summer, guests at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge will enjoy a wide selection of organized excursions that allow them to explore this beautiful, yet little-known, area in and around the nation's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias.
"This new lodge is the perfect location for a true Alaska wilderness experience," said Dean Brown, executive vice president of Princess Cruises and CEO/chairman of Princess Tours. "We've worked closely with the local community to create a selection of outstanding adventures that are sure to be a highlight of our exclusive Copper River vacation packages."
From flightseeing over the park's mountains, to river rafting, hiking and dog sled rides, the Copper River lodge's excursions offer a variety of ways to explore this pristine region. Tours include:
Historic Kennicott & Wrangell-St. Elias Flight Adventure - An opportunity to fly over the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park en route to the historic towns of McCarthy and Kennicott. A guide will then take participants on a tour of main street Kennicott and tell the incredible story of this mining boomtown. The group will then take a five-mile van ride to the town of McCarthy, for a guided walking tour of this once-raucous settlement. McCarthy served as a supply post for prospectors, hunters and trappers in the early part of the century.
Wrangell-St. Elias Air Panorama - A fixed-wing flight tour to view three of the tallest peaks in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and one of the tallest in North America, Mt. Sanford, with its 9,000-foot vertical rock wall. Participants will see numerous glaciers and untouched valleys, while flying over rare mud volcanoes. They may also have opportunities to spot sheep, moose, caribou, and the always-popular grizzly bear.
Flight into Wrangell St. Elias National Park - This fixed-wing flight provides an in-depth look at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It includes a landing in the Sanford Valley, allowing participants to set foot in the park's wilderness and take photos of Mt. Sanford and Mt. Drum. Passengers will also see glaciers and pristine areas of the park while flying over rare mud volcanoes.
Copper River Jet Boat Excursion - A journey on the Copper River that travels 40 miles into a land rich in history. Participants will learn about the 3,000-year-old Athabascan Indian culture, visit a fish wheel and take a glimpse into a subsistence lifestyle. Travel on the Copper River provides exceptional opportunities to view nesting bald eagles, brown bear, and beaver. The tour's final destination is an easy walkabout near the Nadena River that gives a comprehensive "peek" into the history of the Copper River Valley.
Scenic Rafting in the Copper Basin - A scenic river adventure for the entire family. This trip through true pristine wilderness offers excellent opportunities for breathtaking photos of the majestic Wrangell Mountains and area wildlife. Professional guides also offer interpretation of the geology and natural and cultural history of this rich region.
Klutina River Whitewater Adventure - This excursion offers Class III rapids and continuous splashy whitewater as it cascades over large boulders left behind from the last major glaciation period. Participants will learn about the Gold Rush and the story of how Copper Center came to be in 1898. The river is rich in salmon as well as history, and rafters will spy numerous successful anglers during the fishing season. Just before the trip ends, participants cross the great Trans Alaska Pipeline buried deep under the Klutina River.
Wrangell Lakes Canoeing - An ideal half-day excursion for those seeking a quiet, guided and active backcountry experience. This adventure explores pristine Willow or Pippen Lake, located near the boundary of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Participants will paddle stable canoes in and out of spruce- and birch-lined coves, with panoramic views of the towering Wrangell Mountains. Guides will explain the area's natural history, share cultural insights, and point out great opportunities to view wildlife.
Wrangell Mountains Nature Hike - Participants will enjoy trekking through a thick forest to a clearing that affords dramatic views of the monumental mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Experienced backcountry guides will explain local natural history to teach hikers about the flora, fauna, native culture and early settlers to this area as they take in the majesty of this slice of remote Alaska.
Natural History Interpretation - An opportunity to learn about the ecosystems, geology, landscape, and unique features of the spectacular Wrangell Mountains area. The guided hiking trip allows guests to experience the local wildlife habitats and flora, as well as the rich history of the great Alaska Gold Rush. The tour includes spectacular overviews for admiring or photographing the mountain setting, along with short hikes of low-to-moderate difficulty with some uneven terrain.
Historic Copper Valley Tour - An overview of the Copper River Valley complete with photo and shopping opportunities. Stops include Alyeska Pipeline, Downtown Chitna, Spirit Mountain Artworks, Chitna Emporium, Copper River Fish Wheels, Liberty Falls, George Ashby Museum in Copper Center and the historic Copper Center Lodge, considered the jewel of Alaskan Roadhouses.
Alyeska Marine Terminal Tour - A behind-the-scenes look at the famed Alyeska pipeline terminal in Valdez. The two-hour tour includes a comprehensive overview of operations from the loading berths at water's edge, to the tank farms and metering areas, and then to the "tea house," a favorite view point for photographing the terminal and Valdez.
King Salmon Fishing Adventure - Passengers will enjoy world-class King Salmon fishing on relatively undiscovered pristine rivers of the Copper Basin. Experienced guides lead fishing enthusiasts of all levels to the rivers' rich angling spots. Participants can keep one fish per day, but can also catch and release multiple fish during each excursion.
Dog Sled Demonstration & Ride - One of the Copper River Valley's well-known mushers will take passengers on a thrilling dog sled trail ride. During the summer months, mushers use sleds with wheels to keep dogs in top shape for winter competitions.
The 84-room Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge debuts in May, and is featured on 11 of Princess' Alaska cruisetour packages. In keeping with its dramatic location, the property has been designed to combine the special architectural elements of historic national park lodges with old Alaskan mining buildings to create a unique environment for its visitors. Public areas include a signature two-story "Great Room" featuring a stone fireplace, 25-foot ceilings and stunning views of the awe-inspiring Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Drum and Mt. Blackburn.
Prices for excursions from Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge range from $29 to $295 per person. For more information about Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, or any Princess cruisetour, contact the company's cruisetour number, 1 (800) 426-0442.
Note: An electronic copy of this release, and access to Princess' on-line Newsroom containing past news releases, background information and photography, is available at www.princess.com.
