Just north of Fairbanks, Alaska, flowing out of the low mountains and rolling hills west of Chena Dome and south of Mastodon Dome, is the Birch Creek National Wild and Scenic River, one of only a few rivers of this status that is accessible by road and requires no flying in or out to do the 126-mile section of Class I to III+ river. A swift, shallow stream, Birch Creek begins above its confluence with Twelvemile Creek and for the first 10 miles is a narrow, winding and shallow, stream that requires dragging over riffles at times. It is more suited to canoes and kayaks but small rafts can easily make the trip. The river winds and twists its way through the forested hills before spilling out into the Yukon Flats country with the last 30 miles low relief, muskeg country. It is a lovely trip with enough challenge to keep things interesting. There are up to four Class III+ rapids in the stretch between Clum’s Fork and Thomas Creek and if the river is high they could be Class IV.