Starting from its mountain headwaters, we will paddle north and east through range after range of sweeping ridges and steeply folded valleys. This is rich and photogenic country with good walking, great birding, and wonderful opportunities for watching wildlife. In previous years we have seen bears preying upon caribou calves, wolves hunting the ridge tops, and herds of musk oxen napping in the willows.

 Bird watching in the area can be spectacular. Asian bird species such as blue throats and northern wheatears can be seen. Jaegers are ubiquitous and bristle-thighed curlews can be found on the rocky ridge lines.

There are seemingly endless ridges running perpendicular to the river where the footing is good and the views are unbelievable. The hiking opportunities are unlimited. While not a land of dramatic peak ascents and white water, this is a place of wildlife, beauty, and long vistas.

A week to 10 days is perfect for the Utukok, which gives enough time to paddle the best 75 miles of the river while leaving plenty of opportunities for distractions like photography, hiking, cribbage, or other fun. The river can be fast if the water is high, but there are no real rapids. Even at low water there is current enough to keep us moving along past tawny bluffs and past expansive gravel bars, searching for wildlife and reveling in the big sky.

At most water levels, paddling the Utukok is a fairly straightforward and relaxed affair. But if the water is high, we can encounter standing waves and fast current. We will provide canoe instruction during the trip but taking a class before the trip will help you feel more comfortable on the river. The ACA offers river canoe classes in most areas of the US and we encourage you to improve your skills. You need not be an expert paddler to join but some canoe experience is essential.