Last updated: December 22, 2020
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
Day 0
Meet your guide(s) in Fairbanks for a pre-trip meeting at 4pm at Arctic Wild headquarters.
Days 1
Leaving Fairbanks we fly 300 miles, over the Yukon River, to the small town of Coldfoot. We then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the North Fork of the Koyukuk River. We set-up camp and enjoy our first night in the wilderness.
Days 2-7
After inflating our rafts and talking about river safety, we set off onto the North Fork—a small, clear river. We spend the next week enjoying this little river, as well as exploring our surroundings on layover days. The river is alternately fast and rocky and calm and sandy. The river calms for our last few days of paddling before joining the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk. Once past the confluence with Middle Fork, we enjoy this broad clear river and camp within a few mile of Bettles, our take-out.
Day 8
We wake early and paddle the remain miles to Bettles, where weather permitting, we catch our plane back to “civilization.” Hot showers are in order!
