MAT-SU — There is no feeling quite like your first face full of silt.

The unexpected pounding of thick, gray water drives the glacial grit deep into the eyes, mouth, ears and nose. It takes you a second to recover. You miss one of the synchronized paddle strokes.

While you may know what to expect next time, there’s little you can do to prepare. It gets everywhere.

Courtesy photo NOVA A NOVA paddle raft punches through a hole on the Lion Head section of the Matanuska River.

What would cause someone to subject themselves to this repeated sand blasting?

It’s all part of the experience sitting in the front right seat of a paddle raft going down the glacial-fed Matanuska River.

Our outfitter for the day was NOVA, a rafting company with offices in Chickaloon and almost 30 years of experience in the area. This particular trip was on the Lion Head section of the river, a solid Class III run said to be good for beginners and experienced paddlers.

For me and my experience rafting in California, it was a bit unsettling when our guide, Chad, started talking about dry suits. I’m used to rafting in a pair of shorts and T-shirt. The water was cold, but the ambient temperature was usually around 101 degrees. Just how cold is this river, I thought.

I soon found out it was 35 degrees, just above freezing.

Before we started, Chad went over some basic commands. Forward, back, right turn, left turn. Sitting in the front, you are supposed to make the rhythm for the paddlers behind you to follow.

Heading down Caribou Creek after put-in, the water is cold, but not by Alaskan standards. The ride is mellow as the guests get used to the raft and commands.

About 20 minutes in, the clear water of the creek runs into the gray main Matanuska River. Here, the rapids start.

Stretching out over the front of the boat to get a big scoopful of water, the river suddenly gives way, and your paddle comes up with nothing but air. The boat drops into the hole, and a fire hose of water hits your face.

Not long after that, Chad points to a creek coming into the river.

“That water was a glacier about 30 or 40 minutes ago,” Chad said.

I was happy for my drysuit.

After another hour or so of Class III rapids, the river smoothes out for the rest of the ride.

It moves along at a good pace, so the ride is never boring, but the take-out was a nice sight for numb feet. Feeling started to come back halfway through the prime rib sandwich and Black Butte Porter had at the newly-remodeled Long Rifle Lodge.

I would recommend the Lion Head trip to anyone wanting an introduction to rafting in Alaska, but long-time rafters might look to something a bit more. Check out NOVA’s trips on Six Mile Creek with solid Class IV and V whitewater.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or (907) 352-2252.