Brooks Range Backpacking

Caribou Migration Photography Backpack
North Fork Koyukuk Backpack
Glacial Valleys Backpack
Arctic Pass Backpack

Caribou Migration Photography Backpack
June 5 - 12
Duration: 8 days

If you want the once in a lifetime opportunity to see thousands, possibly tens of thousands of caribou in their ancient homeland, this 8-day backpack is the trip for you. After some pretrip scouting by your guide, we'll be dropped off on the gravel bar of the river giving us the best possible access to viewing the Porcupine herd as they finish their spring migration and the cows begin to calve. Photographers will definitely want a nice long lens or two to get those award winning photographs. Longer lenses help keep us from impacting the caribou at this important time for them. There is always a good chance we'll see grizzlies, wolves and foxes as the tundra awakens with new life.

North Fork Koyukuk Backpack
June 24 - 30
Duration: 7 days

A beautiful mountain lake is the starting point for this hike. We will pack through a beautiful pass on our way to the headwaters. Originating above timberline, the North Fork of the Koyukuk River winds through dramatic mountain scenery. The headwaters, while too shallow for floating, are home to arctic grayling. Hanging glaciers and brooding peaks tower above us as we explore downriver. We'll hike the base of Mt. Doonerak, the tallest mountain in the central Brooks Range. Our hike ends at the true "Gates of the Arctic," Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain. You have the option of ending your trip at this point, or continuing on to Bettles by way of the river. (see North Fork of the Koyukuk Float)