TRIP RATING 
 ratings explained  LOCATION View Map DURATION 10 days/9 nights ACTIVITIES Easy paddle rafting on up to class II waters, moderate to challenging day hikes. ACCOMMODATIONS 9 nights camping COST 2003 $3,495/person (5-8 guests) DATES 2003 August 16-25       
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 Experience the pure wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on our Sheenjek River Expedition, a spectacular hiking trip mixed with half days of easy paddle rafting. This is some of the best hiking country anywhere in Alaska - open tundra, high alpine ridges covered with wildflowers, enchanting forest groves, and breathtaking views in every direction! The slow-moving Sheenjek cuts through the south slope of the Brooks Range, and eventually joins the Yukon River. We begin our trip on the northernmost edge of the boreal forest, where small groves of white spruce grow in the transition zone, with more barren tundra to the north. Our Sheenjek River Expedition is designed as a spectacular hiking trip interspersed with half days of easy paddle rafting. Much of our time will be spent on day hikes from the river into the heart of the Brooks Range. Having two to three guides on each trip enables us to break into small hiking groups of 3-4 people. This allows guests the opportunity to hike at their own pace-fast or slow, high or low. This August Sheenjek trip features long arctic days, opportunities for birding and a harvest of wild berries. Temperatures can vary from 30 degrees to a sweltering (by Alaskan standards) 80 degrees. Light dustings of snow are possible. By the end of the trip, the sun may darken the evening sky just enough to increase our chances of seeing the dazzling Northern Lights. We hope to see mountain sheep, caribou, moose, wolves, grizzly bears, and other land animals, as well as a variety of birds. These animals are truly wild, wary of humans, and cover a vast range. Fishing for Arctic grayling with a fly rod or light casting rod should be superb. Guests do not need previous paddle rafting experience, but should be in good hiking condition. You must come equipped with a sense of adventure to navigate a relatively un-traveled far north river, where water levels and weather conditions can fluctuate wildly during the short arctic summer. Begins and ends in Fairbanks. DETAILED ITINERARY: Day 1 - Plan for an early breakfast. We will head to the airport and begin our 3-hour flight to the headwaters of the Sheenjek, with a possible re-fueling stop or plane change in the tiny bush communities of Arctic Village or Fort Yukon. We will land just a few miles away from the Continental Divide in the heart of the Brooks Range on a smooth gravel bar next to the river. Days 2-9 - The first two to three days we may do day hikes from a base camp as we explore the exciting high mountain country near our fly-in point. Then we'll begin rafting downstream, usually alternating a river day with a hiking day. The river broadens after a few days, and begins a meandering course between the valley walls. Day 10 - We'll fly by small plane to Arctic Village, then transfer to a larger plane for the final leg into Fairbanks. We plan to arrive back in Fairbanks by 5:00 p.m. and have time to freshen up before getting together for a final no-host dinner. However, we may not arrive until late into the summer evening, so we recommend planning another night in Fairbanks. Electronic mail request: sheenjekriverrafting@glacierbaytravel.com |
