Last updated: February 27, 2025
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
July 29
Meet with your guide at 4 pm for a pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks at Arctic Wild headquarters.
July 30
Fly from Fairbanks 250 miles north, across the Yukon River to the frontier settlement of Bettles. From here we transfer to a smaller floatplane and fly west another 100 miles along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range to Walker Lake. En route, watch for moose feeding in ponds and bears on the hillsides.
July 31
We spend a layover day here, settling into our surroundings, hiking to a sweeping view of the route ahead, exploring the lake, and fishing for lake trout, grayling and northern pike.
August 1 - 7
We’ll raft, hike and fish our way down the Kobuk. On each “moving day,” we’ll aim to make about 15 miles, roughly six hours of paddling. We will try and place camps where the river swings closest to the mountains for great hiking opportunities.
There will be free time each and every day—after camp is pitched you’re free to do as you please. Your guide(s) will offer informal natural history hikes, but you are always welcome to strike off alone… And don’t forget the fishing!
August 8
Weather permitting, our plane picks us up mid-day for a flight back up the Kobuk and towards Fairbanks. We hope to be back to town by about 6 pm.
