Last updated: November 22, 2021
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
June 19
Pre-trip meeting with your guide(s) in Kotzebue at 6:00 pm.
June 20
Our trip begins with a flight over the Noatak River and into the Brooks Range. We fly on and on, watching the world’s largest terrestrial wilderness pass below us. We will land on a gravel island where the Utukok and Driftwood Creek converge. After unloading the plane and pitching camp, we will have nothing but time to explore the area.
June 21
After discussing river safety we inflate the boats and head down river. There is a bit of fast water at the very start of the trip but no rapids at most water levels. The majority of the paddling is relaxed, leaving time and attention for birding, and scanning for wildlife.
June 22 - 29
We will mix paddling days with hiking days. We have some miles we must cover but the schedule allows ample time for exploration on foot and leisure time in camp. The river traverses first one mountain range and then another. We will have the opportunity to ascend some of these broad colorful ridges. As we travel north the river grows from a large creek to a meandering river. The river cuts through many small sub-ranges of the Brooks Range. In between each of these ranges are broad valleys where you feel as if you could be swallowed by the sky. In previous years we have seen big aggregations of caribou at Carbon Creek in late-June. Caribou are always uncertain and highly variable, but the country is lovely none the less.
June 30
Weather permitting, we fly back to Kotzebue arriving late in the day. Time for a hot shower.
