Key Information: Tour Duration: 8
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 8
people Destination(s):Alaska Specialty Categories:Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting Season: August Airfare Included: Yes Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 3675 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 3695 US Dollar (USD)
My first trip on the Noatak was in 1979, by the 90s I felt that increased visitation (40% of all the Gates of the Arctic visitors coming to this valley) had compromised the experience. In 2004 we floated the Noatak and saw only 4 other people. Numbers have dropped off and the country side shows restored luster. We had a quality wilderness experience enjoying the many superlatives that come so naturally to the upper river. Generally one must select between scenery and wildlife, yet in this valley both are at their best. Caribou from the State’s largest herd begin to drift through the valley in fall migration, an abundant resident sheep population and spawning salmon that attract fishing bears are the attractions; however resident moose, fox and on occasion wolves fill out the bill. Several times we can climb nearby peaks for panoramic views thousands of feet above the valley floor. Autumn colors will be at their peak and only rivaled by the potential colors displayed by the Alpine glow, product of the prolonged sunsets. 50 miles of splendor by canoe, come see one of the inspirations for the Gates of the Arctic.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1:
This is a travel day. We gather in the morning in Fairbanks and fly north 1 hour to Bettles. From here it is a slightly longer flight to our put-in lake in the bush plane. There is nice hiking here and a mandatory portage to get set up on a tundra knoll above the river.
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Day 2:
First day will take advantage of the highest mountains and be dedicated to hiking.
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Day 3:
First day of paddling. Possibilities exist of a short hike along the way.
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Day 4:
Another great day of hiking the high country. This is also an area with good fishing and wildlife viewing.
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Day 5:
Another day of paddling, with a number of nice scenic stops.
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Day 6:
The final day of paddling and the first real rapids off the trip.
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Day 7:
Another day off for one last epic full day hike to the skyline.
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Day 8:
There is a short portage required to get to the take out lake which we will do in the morning. The plane returns and takes us back to Bettles via the Arregetch Peaks and some extraordinary scenery. Late afternoon flight back to Fairbanks.
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