Canning River Whitewater and Wilderness Rafting- Trip ItineraryRafting the Marsh Fork of the Canning River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Alaska• Dates: We are not currently offering this trip but can arrange a similar trip for your group. Please contact us for details about this custom trip or join us for the Canning River Canoe trip to the Arctic Coast in July.
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Sketch of the Canning River Rafting trip…The Canning River is the largest river in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and many claim it to be the most beautiful. It flows for over 130 miles through mountains, to foothills, to the coastal plain, and finally to the arctic coast.
Late July is a good time to paddle the Canning. Days will be long and the weather likely warm (for the arctic) but the mosquito season should be nearly over, leaving us to watch the varied wildlife in peace. We should see grizzly bears, wolves, arctic and red 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. |
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Canning River Rafting ItineraryWhat follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
Day 0: Meet your guides for a pre-trip meeting at 4pm in Fairbanks
Day 1: Fly from Fairbanks to the tiny village of Coldfoot and then, 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.
Day 2-9: We will spend our time 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 fantastic the entire length of the river and wildlife can be found at any time.
Day 10: Await the arrival of our bush pilot, who will land on a long gravel bar. We will fly back to Coldfoot and thence to Fairbanks in time for a late dinner.
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Canning River Rafting DetailsIncluded 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 professional guide service.
Not included in the price of the trip: Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, waterproof river bag, fishing gear, and fishing license. Gratuity for guide(s). An equipment list is provided upon registration. Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild
Weather & Bugs: Expect a variety of weather. August can be mild or stormy. Expect temperatures to range from in the 60's down to freezing. Snow is always possible. Bugs should be gone but bring some DEET just in case.
Suggested 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
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