Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Marsh Fork of the Canning River Trip
Download a copy of the Marsh Fork of the Canning River Trip Itinerary (PDF, 104 KB)
• Dates:Sorry, This trip is FULL for 2008. For a similar location consider joining our Hulahula River Raft June 10-20. For similar dates consider joining our Noatak River Canoe Aug 16-25
• Region: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Mountains, foothills and coastal plain, and Arctic coast.
• Cost: $4,100 includes everything north of Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
The Canning River is the largest in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It forms the western boundary of the Refuge as it flows for over 130 miles through mountains, to foothills, to the coastal plain, and finally to the arctic coast.
The Marsh Fork of the Canning is a main tributary to the Canning River. Its clear flow runs amid some of the Brooks Range’s most jagged limestone mountains. The upper river is severely rugged, severely beautiful. Things don’t change much when the Marsh Fork joins the main Canning, but the sky does open up. The river continues to be lovely. As the Canning flows seaward, it bounds the west end of three sub-ranges of the Brooks Range, the prosaically named “Third Range,” the Shublik Mountains, and the Sadlerochit Mountains. And the scenery has never been so good . . . .
Late August is fall in the Arctic. The tundra will be bright with red and yellow leaves, Berries will be ripe, Mosquitos should be long gone. Caribou will be in their prime with dark coats and antlers in velvet. It is a beautiful time to be in the wilderness. We should see grizzly bears, wolves, fox, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, musk oxen, passerines, golden eagles, and ptarmigan. Fishing for grayling and arctic char can be good if the water levels are not too high.
We’ll paddle about 100 miles of the Canning. This is a moderately difficult trip, not a “float”: we may have to drag the boats over shallow spots; we will have to paddle to get where we’re going, even though the current is always swift. There is upper Class II whitewater at several points along the river. However, no experience is required for paddle rafting, as instruction is provided. Everyone joins in the fun of paddling the boats under the guidance of a raft captain. Participants should be in good condition to join the trip. As we approach the coast the weather will cool significantly and we may have windy days. To compensate for the autumn weather we may be treated to a showing of the Aurora. The coastal plain is also likely to be full of migrating waterfow.
What follows is a general sketch of the trip. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
Day 1: Fly north from Coldfoot, over the spectacular Philip Smith Moutains, to our put-in on on the Marsh Fork. We will set-up camp and inflate our rafts in preperation for the next days float.
Days 2-10: We will spend the next 10 days floating from the tiny headwaters of the Marsh Fork to the Coastal plain. Along the way we will have 3 or 4 layover days to enjoy day hiking, fishing or just hanging around. The hiking is fantastik the entire length of the river. Expect cold windy conditions toward the end of the trip.
Day 11: Weather permitting, our charter airplane arrives today and shuttles us to Barter Island. The Inupiat Eskimo village of Kaktovik is on Barter Island as is the unique hotel “Waldo Arms” run by our friends Walt and Merlyn. During late August and September Barter Island is also a great place to watch Polar Bears, We will spend a the rest of the day watching Bears down on the beach from a safe vantage point.
Day 12: Bear watching as we wait for the plane back to Fairbanks.
Included in the price of the trip: Transportation beyond Fairbanks, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear and trip leaders. Also includes one night lodging and meals at the Waldo Arms in Kaktovik.
Not included in the price of the trip: Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, waterproof river bag, waterproof camera bag, fishing gear, and fishing license. An equipment list is provided upon registration or on request. Rentals are available through Arctic Wild.
Weather & Bugs: Expect a variety of weather. August can be mild or stormy. Expect temperatures to range from in the 70's down to freezing. Snow is always possible. Bugs should be gone but bring some DEET just in case. Bring an extra sweater for the coast.
Recommended Reading: Seasons of Life and Land, Shubanker Banjeeri The Brooks Range: The Ultimate Mountains, John Kauffmann; North Alaska Chronicle: Notes from the End of Time, John Martin Campbell; Brooks Range Passage, Dave Cooper; Koviashuvik, Sam Wright; Alaska Wilderness, Robert Marshall; We Live in the Arctic, Constance Helmericks; Arctic Wild, Lois Crisler; Making Prayers to the Raven, Richard Nelson. Two Old Women, Velma Wallace; Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich.