Caribou Canoe | Western Arctic Wilderness Adventure | Kokolik River
Kokolik River Canoe Trip
• Dates: June 11 through June 21, 2010.
• Region: Western Arctic, in the National Petroleum Reserve. The Kokolik River flows northwest to the Chukchi Sea.
• Cost: $4,700 per person. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
In the far northwest corner of Alaska near the Chukchi Sea is a seldom-traveled river called the Kokolik. Starting from its mountain headwaters, we will paddle north and west toward the ocean through range after range of sweeping ridges and steeply folded valleys. This is rich country and home to Alaska’s largest herd of caribou. At last count the Western Arctic Herd numbered more than 380,000 animals. We have timed this trip in hopes of witnessing this magnificent herd move through the area after calving. Not only does this area support enormous numbers of caribou but it also host a great diversity of other wildlife. Caribou herds are attended by an assortment of predators and scavengers namely brownbears, wolves, and the fabled wolverine. Musk oxen can be seen feeding in the willows of the river terraces. The Utukok Uplands through which the river flows has the highest density of wolverines in the state. Bird watching in the area can be spectacular. Asian bird species such as Bluethroats and Northern wheatears can be seen. Jaegers are ubiquitous and Bristle-thighed Curlews can be found on the rocky ridgelines. On our last foray to the Kokolik we saw Golden Eagles, Gyrfalcons and Rough-legged Hawks nesting allalong the river.
Hiking along the Kokolik is wonderful. There are seemingly endless ridges running perpendicular to the river where the footing is good and the views are unbelievable. While not a land of dramatic peak assents and white water, this is a place of wildlife, beauty and long vistas.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions and opportunities in the field.
Day 1: Our trip begins with a flight over the Yukon River and north into the Brooks Range. After switching to a smaller airplane we fly through the mountains on and on watching the worlds largest terrestrial wilderness pass below us. We will land on a gravel island in the Kokolik River. After unloading the plane and pitching camp we will have nothing but time to explore this pristine area.
Day 2: Assemble the boats and head down river. The upper Kokolik valley hosts not only an abundance of wildlife, but an abundance of fossil life. Coal beds can be reached from the river and marine and terrestrial fossils abound. The river carves its way through the mountains, hugging first the east bank, and then the west. Gravel and sand bars fill the broad floodplain valley. We will only paddle 10 or so miles of this clear river on our first day. Our priority will be on making sure everyone feels safe and confident in the boats.
Days 3-9: We will mix paddling days with hiking days. We have some miles we must cover but the schedule allowsample time for exploration on foot and leisure time in camp. The river traverses first one mountain range and then another. We will have the opportunity to ascend some of these broad colorful ridges. As we travel north the river grows from a large creek to a meandering river. There are obstacles to avoid but for the most part we can devote our attention to scenery and wildlife. The river cuts through many small sub-ranges of the Brooks Range. In between each of these ranges are broad valleys where you feel as if you could be swallowed by the sky.
Day 10: At gravel bar near Avingak Creek we will wait for our pilot and then fly back to Fairbanks. Shower!
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Fairbanks
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one “bear bomb” per guest.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, backpack (if applicable), and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Waterproof “Dry Bag” (carries as much as a backpack).Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping padsRubber raingear bibs
Rubber raingear jacketsRubber boots
A River Trip EquipmentList is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary from the 70's to below freezing. Snow is possible; rain is likely. However, this time of the year we generally have lots of sunny weather. Strong, cold north winds and fog off the Arctic ice pack are not unusual. There could be bugs so bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent.