Key Information: Tour Duration: 14
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 5
people Destination(s):Alaska Specialty Categories:Hiking & Trekking Season: July - August Airfare Included: Yes Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 3995 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 3995 US Dollar (USD)
This classic returns to the schedule by popular demand for a premier combination trip. We begin from a lake on the north side of the continental divide and hike south through the tortured limestone country that marks these mountains over a high mountain pass and down to another lake near tree line. From here we switch to boats and float down the Junjik River to Arctic Village at the southern flank of the Brooks Range. Clearly it is the stark figured towers of gray limestone that make the greatest impression in this area. Though as we move south you will slowly begin to see a change and diversity develop in the country side and by the end of the trip we will be in the spruce forests and kettle lakes of an entirely different world. This is lonesome country best suited to sheep and bears.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1:
Leave Fairbanks on scheduled flight to Arctic Village, located on the southern flank of the Brooks Range and gateway to the Arctic Refuge. Shuttle to the put-in in smaller air taxi service. Flight takes one over the Continental Divide - spectacular scenery. Hike a short distance out of the main drainage up the side creek we will use to reach the Continental Divide. Establish camp.
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Day 2:
Day hike day. if conditions are favorable we can summit a narrow divide to our west and then access a ridge that is over 7000' high for amazing views of the Brooks Range.
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Day 3:
Resume hiking up the valley. At each of our camps we have pleasant opportunities to do optional afternoon hikes ranging in difficulty.
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Day 4:
Another hike day.
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Day 5:
Hike to the foot of the Continental Divide.
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Day 6:
Pass day.
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Day 7:
Straight forward hike down a limestone valley.
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Day 8:
A low pass takes us to the final valley we will explore. I have found interesting plant fossils in thecliffs of the pass.
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Day 9:
Last day of hiking. Leave side valley for the expansiveness of the main river valley. Big sky views.
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Day 10:
We meet the pilot today and begin to switch from hiking to floating. Portage boats and gear to river .
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Day 11:
First day of paddling. Many scenic stops but no long hikes.
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Day 12:
Another day of paddling. Stop has a few different nice hiking options.
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Day 13:
Paddle out to the main river.
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Day 14:
Finish the trip by paddling to Arctic Village and catching mail plane back to Fairbanks.
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