Gates, Kobuk, and Bering National Park Trip for Fred Tierney

Arrive in Kotzebue on the morning Jet with Alaska Airlines and head over to our pilot’s hangar. Once we are assembled we load into the plane and head Northeast up the Noatak River and into Gates of the Arctic National Park. After a picnic lunch we can take a nice hike for views of the nearly endless mountains. With luck we may see wildlife like caribou or bears. In the afternoon we fly back to the coast and make a stop in Cape Krusenstern where we can hope to see Muskox. Lodging included. Meals (except lunch) on your own.

Meet back at the hangar and then another breathtaking flight inland to Kobuk Dunes. We land right in the sand and head-off on foot to explore for a couple hours. After lunch we can fly to the Kobuk River and fish a bit, before winging back to the Chukchi Coast. Once in Kotzebue, you should have time to visit the Park Service museum and take a stroll around the village, buy some art or go birding in the lagoon. Lodging included. Meals on your own.

Meet back at the hangar and assemble the camping gear before heading south along the coast to Serpentine Hot Spring in Bering Land Bridge. From the air we scan the beach for walrus and then fly above the volcanic barrens and craters of the Seward Peninsula. The area around the hot springs is straight from a novel, impossibly green with a steaming creek and granite spires erupting from the ridge-lines. Add the pre-historic looking muskox and the adventure begins.

We have the morning to hike, soak and explore. After packing up our camp, we await the pilot’s return. Then we retrace our flight-path north back to Kotzebue in time to catch the evening jet and you are off to your next adventure.