Sheenjek River Canoe – Cinquini

Sheenjek River Canoe – Cinquini

DATES

TBD

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

TRIP COST

$$$

calendar

DATES

TBD
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
price

TRIP COST

$$$

Starting among some of the most beautiful peaks in the Brooks Range, the Sheenjek River flows from the tundra into the northern forests. Our six days on the river bring us mountain hiking, river canoeing, and opportunities to spot wildlife around every bend.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: November 25, 2020

Itinerary

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

Day 0

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

Day 1

Leaving Fairbanks we fly 250 miles, over the Yukon River, to Arctic Village. We then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the Sheenjek. We set up camp and enjoy our first night in the wilderness.

Day 2-5

We like to spend our first full day in the wilderness hiking the tundra and climbing towards the peaks. The upper valley is stunning. Hikes can be as short or as long as you desire. With endless wilderness all around there are few limits to the adventures we can have.

When we are ready to head downriver we will assemble the boats, refresh our paddling skills, discuss river safety, and join the Sheenjek on its way south to the Yukon. An average paddling day involves 4 or 5 hours in the canoes plus a leisurely picnic and maybe a stroll to a bluff or lake near the river.

As a custom trip, we can set the pace of the trip to match your desires and schedule. We will make time for side trips to nearby lakes and can climb numerous peaks and hills near the river on layover days or in the evenings after a day on the water.

A 6 or 7 day trip is about right for the upper-most section of the river.

 

Day 6

Weather permitting, we will hear our plane mid-morning and then make our way back towards “civilization.”  Once we get cleaned-up we can begin exaggerating about the trip!

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

Transportation beyond Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils

Boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

Select Rental equipment is available

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear. See full equipment list.

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

 

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s. When the wind comes from the north, the temperature can drop to below freezing. Cold rains and snow are possible, but mostly, “bad weather” might come in the form of rain. Bring plenty of warm clothes and just a little DEET in case the weather is mild and the bugs are still around.

RECOMMENDED READING

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Alaska Geographic; Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez; Fifty Years Below Zero by Charles Brown; Midnight Wilderness by Debbie Miller. More Alaska reading is available at our bookstore.

"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!"
client client client client client
Eileen - Canning River