Gates of the Arctic | Kobuk River Raft | Alaska Rafting
Kobuk River Raft and Fish
• Dates: August 16th through 25th, 2010.
• Region: Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. The Kobuk is a west-flowing river in western arctic Alaska. It drains into the Chukchi Sea.
• Cost: $4,300 per person from Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
 |
 |
The Kobuk River rises in the Gates of the Arctic National Park among the sheer Arrigetch Peaks. From that good start, the Kobuk flows for over 300 miles along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range through forest and tundra country to the Chukchi Sea. Our floatplane lands us on the emerald green Walker Lake. After enjoying this enormous lake surrounded by mountains, we paddle through the Kobuk River canyon, sweeping downhill into a wild landscape of glacial moraines, bare bedrock and open, lichen-covered boreal forest.
We will see the river change over the course of our ninety-mile trip. The upper river is swift through the forest with lots of little rapids and long stretches of canyons with several Class III rapids. Hiking in the upper river is good - we climb peaks and broad, wind-scoured ridges just above tree line. Downstream, the river spreads out into braided channels as the valley widens. The many sub-ranges of the Brooks Range break the serrated skyline of the northern forest as we flow downriver. Hiking on the lower river consists of strolling on open gravel bars or exploring high water channels that in the past have ripped water courses through the forest.
 |
|
Fall in the Arctic is a sweet time to be in the wilderness, and we’ll have up to three layover days to hike or fish or just hang out. A short period of darkness returns to the arctic midnight, and if the weather is clear, we can see the Aurora Borealis. Fall colors are setting in, and among the redding tundra, we can find huge patches of blueberries. We will see waterfowl migrating south. The Kobuk has the best fishing of any Brooks Range River. It is home to Arctic Grayling, voracious Northern Pike, and the world famous Kobuk River Sheefish. We should see moose, beavers, red fox, black bears and grizzly bears. We often see wolves, and it is not unusual to hear their howls rolling throughout the dark green forests. We may also see lynx and wolverine.
This is a relatively easy, 90-mile river trip, with stretches of rapids, and steady paddling. No experience is required for paddle rafting, as instruction is provided. Everyone joins in the fun of paddling the boats under the guidance of an experienced and professional raft captain.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions
and opportunities in the field.
|
 |
Day 1: Fly from Fairbanks 200 miles north, across the Yukon River to the frontier settlement of Bettles. From here we transfer to a smaller floatplane and fly west another 100 miles along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range to a lake nestled in the Brooks Range. En route, watch for moose feeding in ponds and bears on the hillsides.
Day 2: We spend a layover day here, settling into our surroundings, hiking to a sweeping view of the route ahead, exploring the lake, and fishing for lake trout, grayling and northern pike.
Days 3-9: We’ll raft and hike and fish our way down the Kobuk. On each “moving day,” we’ll aim to make about 20 miles, roughly six hours of paddling. We will spend our two layover days at camps where the river swings closest to the mountains—for great hiking opportunities! There will be free time each and every day—after camp is pitched, you’re free to do as you please. Your guide(s) will offer informal natural history hikes, but you are always welcome to strike off alone.
Day 10: Weather permitting our plane picks us up for the flight back up the Kobuk River, and on towards Fairbanks.
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Fairbanks.
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one “bear spray” per guest.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.
The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Waterproof Dry Bag (carries as much as a backpack).
Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Rubber raingear bibs
Rubber raingear jackets
Rubber boots
A River Trip Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary from the 70's to below freezing. Snow is possible; rain is likely. However, this time of the year we can have lots of sunny mild weather too. Expect no mosquitoes!
Suggested Reading: Last Light Breaking, Nick Jans; The Kotzebue Basin, Alaska Geographic Society; Explorations of Alaska, George Stoney; Alaska's Brooks Range, John Kauffmann; The Noatak-Kobuk Region, Alaska, Phillip Smith; USGS Bulletin 536. Information about fishing can be found at: www.fishgame.ak.gov