The Chitina River here demonstrates a common feature of cold climate rivers. Full of fine glacial silt and gravel from their source in the mountains, these rivers freeze in the winter. But they thaw unevenly. As different portions melt and the river courses around the remaining blocks of ice, new mini-channels are always forming, creating an ever-changing, meandering mosaic riverbed.
In the distance lies the mountains surrounding the towns of McCarthy and Kennicott.