Big Sky (Kongakut) Backpacking

High Arctic Backpacking in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

• Dates: We are not currently offering this trip but can arrange a similar custom trip for your group. Please contact us for details, or join us for the similar Sostice Backpack in June or Noatak Backpack in August.

• Region: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Northern edge of the boreal forest over the divide to the Kongakut River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean.

Sketch of the Big Sky Backpacking trip…

This year’s selection for the perfect autumn backpack takes us to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where the scenery is breathtaking and the walking is easy (at least by Brooks Range standards). We’ll start on the south side of the Continental Divide in the Colleen River watershed at about 3,000’ elevation. Big skies, solid footing and arctic wildlife are scattered across the Divide and down into the Kongakut River watershed on the other side. It is a region of steep limestone mountains, immense gravely basins, and clear water creeks, more than 50 miles from anything even resembling a road, trail or town. Our route sticks to the large basins and canyons of the upper Colleen and Kongakut Rivers but higher peaks ranging to 7,000 feet are within reach for side trips on layover days when we can explore without our packs. Fall colors will deepen throughout the trip and blueberries should be ripe. The daylight is still long, but we’ll have enough darkness night day to possibly see the Aurora Borealis. We have good chances of seeing grizzly bears, wolves, some bull caribou, golden eagles, Dall sheep, and foxes. There is also a population of moose which winter in this area and they may be arriving in droves; their enormous brown bodies in striking contrast to the wide open tundra.

We’ll travel just over 30 miles in eight days. The route is an easy one in terms of elevation gain and the terrain covered, but there will be some long days and we’ll need to cross creeks from time to time. Starting on the south side of the Brooks Range, we’ll find ourselves initially at the northern edge of the tree line. The walking is pretty good, but we get into some sedge tussocks (wobbly, wet walking) and we have some limestone canyons to negotiate. In return for the hard work of Alaska backpacking, we enjoy rugged colorful peaks, soft green valleys, picturesque cottonwood glades, and (if lucky) abundant wildlife.

Hiking in the arctic is an “off-trail” experience, so a six-mile day can take as long and be as taxing as ten miles in other parts of the world. Experience backpacking is recommended for this trip, but novices in good shape, who are willing to do some training, would enjoy the trip too. Each hiker will carry 15-20 pounds of food and community gear; due to the small party size and the trip’s duration, expect to start the trip with a pack weighing no less than 45 pounds.