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You are viewing: Home > Rivers > Canning
Marsh Fork Canning River: Paddling and Hiking in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
| Trip Length: |
11 days (11 days/10 nights camping) |
| Activities: |
Canoeing or Rafting on Class I-II water; day hikes over uneven terrain with no trails; wildlife and scenic photography. *Note: Participants may opt to paddle rafts or canoes on the river, depending upon ability.
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| Dates: |
June 22-July 2, 2008; July 26-August 5, 2008 NEW DATE: August 27-September 2 (7 days, $3895 per person)
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| Price: |
$4095 from Fairbanks |
| Rating: |
M |
 Beginning with a 300-mile bush-flight over Alaska's Brooks Range, this arctic paddling expedition takes us down a wild, pristine river along the western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, through four mountain ranges--the Philip Smith, Franklin, Shublik and Sadlerochit Mts. The Canning River, and its western tributary, the Marsh Fork, flow north, carving their way through rugged limestone canyons, and over small rocky rapids. We find spectacular geology and fun whitewater along the Marsh Fork's upper reaches, as the river pinches through canyons of uplifted ancient seabeds. The rugged beauty of the upper Marsh Fork has inspired many an artist to linger in these convoluted peaks. We take every opportunity to explore the mountains and side valleys, walking in the footsteps of caribou, wolves and muskoxen. At the confluence with the Canning River, the valley opens up into a broad U-shaped valley. As we descend towards the coastal plain, we have an opportunity to explore the tundra and lake ecosystems of the coastal plain.
 The Canning River is a surreal emerald green, so clear that we see arctic char and grayling swimming twelve feet down. For the birder, there are over 80 species of birds, including the elusive grey-headed chickadee. Birds of prey find the river corridor attractive for nesting; we're likely to see golden eagles, peregrine falcons, rough-legged hawks, and gyrfalcons. Four of the five arctic species of loons breed here. Caribou are common, and occasionally, we see muskoxen, along with moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and foxes. A protected microclimate has allowed a small grove of balsam poplar to flourish in the Canning Valley; nearby lies a year-round spring.
 This is a hiker's paradise, as well as an exciting paddling river, with a section of small rapids on the upper Marsh Fork, and good traveling conditions and fast current throughout. Our schedule is flexible, since we have nearly 24 hours of daylight! There is time for photography, wildlife viewing, and wildflower identification, exploring valleys, or climbing mountains.
| Itinerary |
| Day 0 |
Travel to Fairbanks, Alaska. The group generally plans to meet for dinner the night before the trip to go over final trip details, and to get acquainted. Overnight accommodations are on your own, but we can help you with suggestions and bookings at our favorite bed and breakfasts and hotels in Fairbanks.
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| Day 1 |
Trip participants meet in the early morning at the small airport in Fairbanks, where we pack all our gear onto a small commercial plane and fly 150 miles north, over the Steese and White Mountains and the Yukon River, to Arctic Village, a small Gwich'in settlement situated on the banks of the Chandalar River. The village offers an educational cultural experience. Alternately, we may fly to Coldfoot, along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Road, known as the Dalton Highway. From here, we fly by small charter bush plane across the Brooks Range, flying over miles and miles of seemingly endless mountain peaks and valleys. We land on a small gravel bar along the Marsh Fork, north of the Arctic Di
vide.
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| Days 2-9 |
On the river. After spending a day hiking among the crags in the upper river, we pack up and begin our descent through a spectacular mountain valley. The Canning and Marsh Fork are both swift, shallow rivers with multiple channels. The Marsh Fork is bit more challenging, with some good sized rapids, and a narrow canyon bearing ancient sea fossils, and an extensive area of aufeis. A couple National Natural Landmarks lie within the river corridor: Shublik Hot Springs and the Canning Forest. The warm springs arises near a tributary of the Canning River, supporting Alaska's best-developed and farthest north stand of balsam poplar. A lush assortment of vegetation exists here. The Canning Forest is an anomalous stand of cottonwood trees (balsam poplar) far north of its range, yet able to exist here due to the sheltered nature of a particular niche in the river valley. We descend the river in canoes or paddle rafts, traveling through rugged mountains, and stopping to camp on gravelbars. We're always on the lookout for birds and wildlife; we've encountered Dall sheep, grizzlies, wolves, musk oxen, and a wide variety of birds, such as golden eagles, rough-legged hawks, grey-headed chickadees, and tundra swans.
Alternating paddling and hiking
days, we eventually arrive at a logical take-out, where our bush pilot is able to land on a gravel bar to retrieve us. We pull our boats out of the river here, and make our last camp. We paddle through a corridor of mountains, dodging aufeis (shelves of overflow ice), and alternating river days with hiking days, in order to explore four separate mountain ranges and valleys that we traverse along the way.
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| Day 11 |
From our last camp, we're picked up by our bush pilot and flown back to Arctic Village. We are at the whims of our pilot and the weather. If bad weather prevents an early pick-up, we may spend an extra night in the Refuge, or in Arctic Village. From Arctic Village, we catch a small commercial flight back to Fairbanks. If all goes well, we arrive in time for a final no-host dinner.
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| Included in trip costs |
- All transportation beyond Fairbanks
- All meals in the field
- Boats, paddles, life jackets, dry bags, and other boating gear
- Group cooking, camping, medical and saf
ety equipment (We bring such items as a kitchen shelter, emergency radio/phone, bear repellent spray, water filter and first aid kit)
- Expert leadership
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| Not included in trip costs |
- Lodging before or after trip
- Extra meals you might choose to purchase in a town or village while we are awaiting air transport
- Sleeping bag and pad, and personal equipment
- Excess baggage charges
- Please plan to bring your own personal medications, toiletries, etc.
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| Call or E-mail us for the complete packet on this expedition.
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