Gates of the Arctic Trips
The Northern Traverse
The Brooks Range. Backpacking in the Arctic just got even better.
Strenuous
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, five hiking boots is right up there.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Expect it to be tougher than you think it will. At least in part, anyway. Some sections will inevitably be easier. Some will make you feel it.
One of the best hikers I’ve walked with, Ben, said it perfectly one day, as we traversed a step sidehill on the Southern Traverse. “Man, Alaska just beats you up, doesn’t it?”
And he’s right. It does. Don’t be fooled by the low mileages and the lower elevations. The catch is the difficulty of traversing rugged country with no trails. However much you think that might impact you, double it.
You need to be athletic, well balanced, in good shape, and an experienced backpacker for this kind of trip. If you’re not that .. well, don’t say you weren’t well warned.
An epic backpack for the ages. Crisscross the divide and explore the Arctic.
Arrigetch Peaks Backpacking Trip
Access the Alpine. A Remarkable Arctic Adventure.
Challenging
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.
You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.
The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.
Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.
A backpacking adventure in a place like no other. Hike the Brooks Range and camp beneath the soaring Arrigetch Peaks. And finish with a packraft adventure down the Alatna River.
Beyond The Gates
The Gates are open. Paddle Home.
Mild
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, two hiking boots is at the easier end of the spectrum.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Realize that backpacking is never “easy”. You’re carrying from 35-50+ pounds on your back day after day. You’ll be hiking for a number of hours each day (varies trip to trip, day to day), and that’s not “easy” for most people.
That said, our “2 hiking boots” level should meet the need for most novice backpackers, and are generally what I recommend for families with younger kids, etc as well. Terrain challenges aren’t usually a problem, and the walking is somewhat more orthodox. You won’t be traversing 1 mile of steep sidehill covered in slippery rocks, or snaking through dense thickets of alder and willow.
A magnificent packrafting trip in Gates of the Arctic National Park. The North Fork of the Koyukuk River.
Noatak River Packraft Trip
Wild the way it used to be. The river from deep within.
Easiest
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, one boot is appealing. Basically it means “You got this”.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
One boot is about as easy as we do here in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; you’re carrying gear, and even on a basecamp trip you’ll find expending some effort required of you. And there is always the weather or some other adversarial element to contend with.
What you won’t find on a single-boot-rated trip is the difficult terrain challenges we see on our other ventures. No glacial moraines to deal with, or alder and muskeg, or sidehills to wreak havoc on your ankles hours on end.
Great option for starters, the older or the younger folks who want to see some astonishing remote wild country, without all the rigors or the more common backpacking adventures we undertake. You’ll love it.
You'll float the upper Noatak through the Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic. Hike the tundra, then fish until your arm's tired.
Five to seven days in country that hasn't changed since the last ice age.
Alatna River Packrafting Trip
Alpacka Packrafts. Pristine. Personal. Alaska By River. A Gorgeous, Wild Float Trip.
Mild
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, two hiking boots is at the easier end of the spectrum.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Realize that backpacking is never “easy”. You’re carrying from 35-50+ pounds on your back day after day. You’ll be hiking for a number of hours each day (varies trip to trip, day to day), and that’s not “easy” for most people.
That said, our “2 hiking boots” level should meet the need for most novice backpackers, and are generally what I recommend for families with younger kids, etc as well. Terrain challenges aren’t usually a problem, and the walking is somewhat more orthodox. You won’t be traversing 1 mile of steep sidehill covered in slippery rocks, or snaking through dense thickets of alder and willow.
Brooks Range scenery without the bushwhacking. Easy packrafting down the Alatna River. Class I water, loose schedule, beginner-friendly. Two to four days.
More About Gates of the Arctic National Park
Wildlife
Gates of the Arctic National Park is home to both black and grizzly bears. Other wildlife include wolves, wolverine, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, coyotes, lynx, red fox, muskox, beaver, river otter, and more.
An array of birdlife spend the summers here. Golden eagle, bald eagle, Peregrine and Gyr falcon, Great Horned and Snowy Owl, Rough-legged hawk, Northern Goshawk are just a few of the raptors found in the park.
Home of the Wood frog, a 2-3 inch long frog that can freeze solid in the winter, thaw out and come back to “life” in the spring. Pretty amazing feat.
Activities
There are no maintained trails within the park and only a couple of hike able social/game trails exist.
Wilderness is best enjoyed wild. We offer both backpacking trips and packrafting trips inside Gates of the Arctic and strive to maintain a minimal ecological footprint best we can.
Within this Park are six Wild and Scenic Rivers. You can enjoy one of them on our Alatna River Packraft trip.
Winter activities could include snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. The park can also be a great place to view northern lights.
Learn More About Gates
Blog Posts From Gates
A guide to hiking and backpacking in Gates of it Arctic national Park & Preserve, Alaska. Discuss Logistics, route choices, and safety and preparation.
Alaska backpacking demands trekking poles. After years guiding trips across boulder fields, glacier moraines, and steep brushy terrain, I’ve learned that poles aren’t optional here. We traverse miles of talus, cross snowfields, and sidehill through terrain with little to no trail. That pole on your uphill side becomes critical for balance with a heavy pack. Poles also double as tent supports for cooking shelters and ultralight tents. I prefer cork handles and often use just one pole, though that’s personal preference. For Alaska’s challenging terrain, trekking poles make the difference between struggling and enjoying the trek.
