Gates of the Arctic Backpack – Huyett

Gates of the Arctic Backpack – Huyett

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DATES

August 18, 2025 - August 26, 2025

REGION

Gates of the Arctic

TRIP COST

$7,400/ person. Party of 5.

calendar

DATES

August 18, 2025 - August 26, 2025
region

REGION

Gates of the Arctic
price

TRIP COST

$7,400/ person. Party of 5.

In the very heart of the Brooks Range lies a seldom explored mountain range full of glaciers, cliffs, quiet canyons, and adventure. Find solitude and beauty in Gates of the Arctic National Park.

TRIP DETAILS

This challenging route penetrates the steepest and most spectacular portions of the central Brooks Range. The area is as beautiful as it is untraveled.

This route has a bit of everything, from wide open tundra valleys, to tight canyons and rocky passes. Glaciers, tarns, ice fields, and of course wilderness as far as the eye can see.

Starting well north of the great northern forests, the airplane lands us on an improbably small gravel bar near the northern edge of this 9 million acre national park. Clear waters of the river reflect the steely grey cliffs and the rich greens of the tundra, and a rainbow of colorful rocks shines in the riffles. The trip only gets better from here.

Packs are heavy at the start so it may take a couple of days to gain a rhythm and learn to hike in the tail-less mountains. Near our first glacier we drop-packs. This is a great place for the first lay-over day which affords the opportunity for a hike into the high-country to walk on the remnant of the ice that carved these steep and dramatic mountains. This isn’t really a “rest day” but will be well worth the effort!

With packs a bit lighter we ascend the first big pass and cross the Continental Divide. At the top, we see the waters of the Koyukuk careening towards the Yukon River and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Dropping down from the pass, sight-lines are long and we spend more time scanning for wildlife. Small bands of caribou frequent the area in late summer, bears should be grazing on lush greens and ripening blueberries, and predators like wolves, and even wolverines may be spotted hunting in the mountains above. Moose, porcupine, and even lynx, animals frequently associated with the boreal forest, also inhabit the tundra so there is lots to see and we will keep binoculars at hand.

Then we head back into the steep and austere limestone mountains. With strong legs and somewhat lighter packs we aim for a high pass to re-cross the Continental divide. This is unexplored country. The pass looks good from the air, but it is possible we will encounter a dead-end up amongst the rocks and ledges if the sheep trails peter-out or become too precarious. Not to worry, plan B is just as beautiful but we are eager to explore this area.

Assuming the pass allows safe passage, we definitely will have earned another lay-over day! Once we round the corner into the Cockedhat Valley your jaw hits the ground. There are hidden valleys with serene lakes, waterfalls, and slick-rock playgrounds; talus fields with house size boulders and sheer cliffs with enormous columns piercing the sky surround us as we climb into the high country full of hanging glaciers and bracingly cold tarns. This is one of our favorite places in Alaska and it is worth the effort to get here.

This is a challenging backpacking route with the opportunity for some BIG day hikes along the way. In a landscape without trails almost everyone is ready to drop packs at the end of a 6 mile day even though it doesn’t sound like its going to be very far. Packs are necessarily heavy on a long trip with arctic grade gear and clothing. The route we have planned has a huge variety of views and challenges, lots of river crossings, some epic bushwhacking, and wet tussocky ground. But also some sublime gravel bars and tundra benches where the miles will tick past quickly.

Refinements of the route are best done in the field based on the weather, your groups desires, and conditions at the time of your trip. Everyone on the trip should be in excellent physical condition with an adventurous attitude and the ability to be flexible as conditions change.

Last updated: December 12, 2024

Itinerary

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

August 19

Meet your guide in Fairbanks for a pre-trip meeting at 4 pm.

August 20 - 21

Catch the morning “mail plane” to Bettles, AK, population 12! After visiting the National Park headquarters we load into a smaller plane and fly the final miles into the Brooks Range. After landing on a small gravel bar and unloading, the plane disappears and we are alone in the wilderness. If the weather allowed an early start we should be able to hike up valley for a few hours this afternoon.

The following day we work our way across the tundra, through the river, through the tussocks, through the brush, back through the river and up towards our first pass.

 

August 22

The glaciers are calling. Take the day to hike and scramble into the high country.

August 23 - 24

Packs are lighter now as we work towards the divide. Once we cross onto the south-side we negotiate a canyon deeply incised forming a twisting and dendritic labrynth for several miles.

At extreme low water you can splash your way down the creek below the canyon walls. Typically we have to climb out early and skirt the edge to get around it.

August 25

Up, up, up! This is the biggest pass on the route and the travel will be slow and careful. Animal trails should lead us safely over the 5700 foot pass and back into the Arctic watershed.

August 26

Surrounded by cirques, waterfalls, cliffs and glaciers the most challenging part of this day is deciding where to explore. This is a well earned lay-over day to rest, hike and bask in the glory of the high-country.

August 27

A final half day of hiking brings us near to the pick-up location and leaves enough time in the day to day-hike up a side valley to see and photograph the 2,000 sheer cliffs of the Cockedhat valley.

August 28

Alas, all good things must end. Rise early and hike the final miles to the airstrip. Weather permitting our plane arrives mid-day for the flights back to Fairbanks, landing back in the busy world in time for a shower and a late dinner.

rafters having fun in the Arctic

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

Professional guide service.

Select camping equipment is available through Arctic Wild and is included

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear per our Equipment List

Gratuity for guides

WEATHER & BUGS

A variety of weather should be expected including rainy periods and bright sunny conditions. Temperatures can range from in the 70’s down into the 30’s or lower. Snow is possible but unlikely to remain on the ground in the valley bottoms. Bug season should be over, but carry one bottle of insect repellent just in case.

RECOMMENDED READING

Arctic Traverse by Michael Engelhard

Arctic Wild by Lois Crisler

Nunamiut by Helge Ingstadt

Make Prayers to the Raven, Richard Nelson

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.

Ready for your adventure?
Find out what's next.

  1. Fill out the Reservation Request form
  2. We will contact you to discuss your trip
  3. Secure your trip with a deposit
  4. We will send you a detailed packing list
  5. Book your flights and accommodations
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"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!"
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Eileen - Canning River
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