Caribou Migration Backpack

Caribou Migration Backpack

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DATES

June 24, 2020 - July 1, 2020

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

TRIP COST

$4,800

calendar

DATES

June 24, 2020 - July 1, 2020
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
price

TRIP COST

$4,800

On the northern edge of the continent where the Brooks Range nearly meets the Arctic Ocean, caribou amass in great herds at the end of June. This scenic backpacking trip traverses one of their favorite areas. Join us on our hike from the mountains to the sea.

TRIP DETAILS

In the far north of Alaska where the sun circles the sky in June and trees seem like a distant memory, lies the famed Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This summer we will hike from the edge of the mountains across the flower covered coastal plain and out to the Arctic Ocean crossing 30 miles of some of the wildest and most remote land in America.

We start our trip in the mountains, where colorful ridges and cliffs of folded rock tower above our camp. With plenty of time to reach our final destination we can dawdle a bit here where the topography is dramatic and we will take time to climb a small peak for views of our route to the sea. After a day and a half of backpacking through the canyons and exploring in the hills, we will emerge into the big-sky country of the coastal plain where the tundra is etched from millennia of caribou migrations.

The coastal plain is a place like no other. Enormous, austere, mysterious, inspiring, and occasionally a bit intimidating in its vastness and unfamiliarity. The scenery is subtle with rolling tundra hills and broad gravel flats but at a walking speed there is no end to the delights we may find. From the variety of wildflowers, to ground patterned by the relentless ice, to the delight in finding an Arctic Fox den on a bluff above the creek each day is full of wonder and delight. Unlike much of the coastal plain, the area directly north of the Sadlerochit Mountains where we will hike is dry, with a nearly continuous blanket of wild-flowers covering the rolling hills making for decent hiking.

As we traverse the coastal plain we will get glimpses of the sea-ice to the north. At times an arctic mirage called “fata morgana” will make the ice appear far above the horizon. As the light changes both day and night the coastal plain transforms, perhaps disappearing into the fog, maybe blazingly bright in 24 hour sun.

Our final full day of the trip includes a day-hike to the Arctic Coast, where we are likely to find great rafts of eiders and other sea-ducks feeding amongst the sea-ice. We may find polar bear tracks on the beach, whale bones, or artifacts from Inupiat fish camps both modern and ancient. If you are brave you can even take a swim!

With luck, we will cross paths with the migrating Porcupine Caribou Herd, numbering nearly 200,000 at last count. For the last 4 summers caribou have gathered by the thousands north of the Sadlerochit Mountains at the end of June. In 2016 we watched them stream through our camp for 2 days straight! We could never predict what the caribou will do next June, but if the pattern holds we could find ourselves hiking with the herd across the coastal plain. Imagine waking in the night, the sun low in the north, to the sound of a thousand clicking hooves. Where there are caribou, there are those animals who live from their unwariness: wolves and grizzly bears. And where the two join, there are scavengers like fox, wolverine, and ravens. This is a trip with excellent potential for wildlife encounters. It is a great hike with or without caribou, but we will keep our fingers crossed and our eyes peeled.

Hiking in the arctic is an “off-trail” experience, so a six-mile day can take as long and be as taxing as ten miles in other parts of the world.  The footing is a mix of dry tundra benches and gravel bars with various kinds of wet tundra mixed in. We will have to contend with some tussock fields but mostly the walking is flat and gravely. There are no sustained elevation gains or losses except on the day-hikes.  This is a good trip for both experienced backpackers and newcomers in good shape who are willing to push themselves. Experience with overnight backpacking prior to the trip is highly recommended.  Each hiker will get 15-20 pounds of food and community gear to carry. Due to the small party size and the trip’s duration, expect to start the trip with a pack weighing no less than 40 pounds.

Last updated: January 7, 2024

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

June 23

Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting at 4pm in Fairbanks at Arctic Wild headquarters.

June 24

Fly north from Fairbanks across the mighty Yukon River and over the Arctic Circle. Land in Arctic Village, an Athabascan settlement of 120 people. Once our link to civilization wings back south, we will shoulder our packs and hike several miles to our first camp. Pass the evening settling into our surroundings and climbing a nearby ridge for a view.

June 25-29

We have thirty miles to hike and ample of time to get there. Our first day and a half are in the mountains and we will take advantage of the topography to do some extra exploring. Once out of the mountains we can make good time across the coastal plain and will have a couple longer hiking days. On moving days, we’ll walk about 6 or 8 miles, which will keep us on our feet for about 6 hours. With the endless daylight this leaves ample time for exploration and relaxation. There will be good hiking from every camp, whether it’s up a peak, or out looking for wildlife in the flats.  At any time, we could see thousands of caribou, a grizzly bear or two, a wolf, or other arctic wildlife. We will see wildlife, and plenty of birds so keep our binoculars at the ready.

June 30

A day to explore the Arctic Coast on foot. There are old sod houses, sea-ducks nesting, seals basking on the sea-ice and maybe even polar bear tracks!

July 1

From our camp by Marsh Creek we pack up early and begin listening for our airplane. When it arrives we reluctantly load our gear and ourselves for the flight back through Arctic Village and on to Fairbanks, arriving late in the afternoon.

If you are eager for even more time in the Arctic Refuge, this trip can combine with our Canning to the Coast canoe trip. Contact us for details and discounts for combining trips.

rafters having fun in the Arctic

Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless.  A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip.

You mentioned to me in an email that you have terrific guides – you do indeed.  Dave is a superb guide. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails.   He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. I know the others would concur in my praise.

- Sandra, California, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare from Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear, backpack, tent. See complete equipment list.

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

Select Rental Equipment is available through Arctic Wild

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic and can range from the 20-80 degrees F. Temperatures could be hot in the river valleys under the 24 hour sun but as we get close to the Arctic Coast it will be cooler or downright cold. There could be mosquitoes but usually the wind keeps them down. Bring DEET and a head net in case it is calm, warm and damp.

 

RECOMMENDED READING

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Alaska Geographic

Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer

Midnight Wilderness by Debbie Miller

More Alaska reading is available at our bookstore

Ready for your adventure?
Find out what's next.

  1. Fill out the Reservation Request form
  2. We will contact you to discuss your trip
  3. Secure your trip with a deposit
  4. We will send you a detailed packing list
  5. Book your flights and accommodations
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"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
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