Wind River

From the Windy, Seefar and several unnamed glaciers on the Continental Divide of the Brooks Range, the Wind River is born. Join ABEC's Alaska Adventures on this early June river trip. We’ll paddle approximately 70 miles to the take out gravel bar on the East Fork of the Chandalar River. Surrounded by the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range, this watershed is very remote and has few visitors.

We begin our trip in the mountainous headwaters where the river is shallow and rocky with braided channels. Inflatable kayaks are available for those who have class II whitewater skills and are able to maneuver the boat to miss rocks and sweepers. Otherwise, paddlers may choose to paddle raft with the guide. The last 3 days of paddling we enter the taiga spruce forest where the river meanders, interspersed with a few boulder gardens, through the southern slopes of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Early June brings an explosion of wildflowers on these alpine south slopes. Forget-me-nots, shooting stars, dryas, and numerous other flowers carpet the tundra with brilliant colors and fragrance.

This very remote river sports an abundance of wildlife. At the headwaters the sheep frequent the limestone slopes of these unnamed mountains. This valley is one of the easiest hiking right off the river to reach the peaks and alpine slopes above. Bears feed on the new growth, along with moose and occasionally caribou. The elusive wolf and wolverine has been seen in this pristine valley. Foxes will entertain us with their hunting antics.

(Wind River Photos courtesy of Bill and Priscilla Stoddard)

Included in the price of the trip: All air transportation beyond Fairbanks; camp food and cooking gear; boating gear; safety & repair gear; and trip leaders.

For dates and prices of the Wind River trip
For more river and backpack trips in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

ABEC's Alaska Adventures, LLC
PO Box 10791 | Fairbanks, Alaska 99710
Toll Free: (877) 424-8907 | Fax and Local Phone: (907) 457-8907
abec@abecalaska.com