The upper Sheenjek River in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge flows through a classic U-shaped valley, replete with rich wetlands and boreal forest, and glacially-formed pothole lakes. And, best of all, it is surrounded by the scenic Brooks Range mountains. We explore the Sheenjek River valley, and hike up into the mountains. This is a time to see wildlife at its finest, to eat berries at their plumpest, and, on clear nights, to see the Aurora Borealis, as the arctic summer becomes autumn. With luck, we see bands of caribou stream through the valleys. The terrain offers unlimited opportunities for hiking. This is a backpack trip for people who want to explore the northern limits of the Arctic boreal forest, traveling through mountain valleys, in search of caribou and other wildlife.

Depending upon the group’s ambition and interest, we will do a loop hike in the mountains and to Last Lake, where in 1956, mammalogist Olaus Murie, his wife Mardy, their young child, ornithologist Brina Kessel, and field biologist George Schaller, spent a summer documenting the fine wilderness qualities of the region. Their efforts were a major contribution to establishing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960. Another option is a point-to-point trek, through the Brooks Range.

Our trip takes us from Fairbanks to Arctic Village, followed by an exciting bush plane flight over the mountains, valleys, and countless rivers and streams of the South Slope of the Brooks Range..