Hula Hula River
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Originating up high in the Romanzoff Mountains, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, we fly in by wheel plane to a long gravel strip alongside the river.
Some of the highest peaks in the Brooks Range surround the valley, Mount Ishto, Chamberlain, and Michelson, all rising above 9,000 feet. Below in the valley easy hiking on tundra with vast ridges wait for hiking adventures.
The porcupine Caribou herd migrate to the Hula Hula River valley for their spring calving ground each year. Oftentimes we wake up to the herd grazing around camp. There are approximately 200,000 caribou that break into smaller herds that graze this area in mid-late June each year. We spend several days hiking in this high alpine.
Migratory birds, dall sheep, musk oxen, grizzlies, wolves, fox, marmots, all call this arctic environment their home. We chose the dates in particular to when spring has come, the migratory birds have returned, and the environment is alive with the 24 hours of sunlight this time of year.
The Hula Hula flows to the north. The river and its side streams flows from the glaciers of the Brooks Range, fast moving with a good gradient, sporting rapids around the class III range. We travel through rock gardens, mini gorges, and the rapids that form from these. Aufeis, caused from overflow water from the river, can form ice walled channels that we must carefully navigate through.
We are able to explore and hike all the way down the river. We have two options to take out of the river, depending if the group wants to enjoy more hiking or river miles.
Permitting and coordinating flights for this river requires early planning, so we recommend signing up by October each year for the best options of availability.
2024 Scheduled Trips:
10 Days: June 15-July 24, $7000
Alternate dates available on Request
Late June and July
Meeting Place and Time:
Fairbanks, Alaska
5:00 Meet and Greet the evening before the start date of your trip at your lodging in Fairbanks, Alaska
8:00 am on the start date We will pick you up from your lodging and go directly to the Air Taxi for your bush flights to the Hula Hula River.
Final Day:
It is a long bush flight from the take out back to Fairbanks, we recommend spending the night in Fairbanks before heading home.
Return gear in Fairbanks, farewell to guides and guests.
Price Includes:
3 gourmet meals a day, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages while out in the field
Single or shared tent, ultra thick thermarest sleeping mattresses
Weather proof group dining tent with tables and chairs
Unlimited filtered water system, hot showers, hand washing station
Emergency communication, equipment, and first aid supplies, and wilderness medically trained staff.
Round Trip Bush flights from Fairbanks to Arctic Village
Bush Flights from Arctic Village to the headwaters put-in and take out back to Arctic Village
Permits and user fees required by Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Not Included:
Flights to Fairbanks, Alaska
Lodging in Fairbanks
Personal equipment rentals and purchases
Gratuities