aka Thunder Valley & Magic Valley

7 days of backpacking. Flying into the backcountry from Coldfoot, AK.

If you want to experience some of the most mind-blowing terrain in the Brooks Range with almost endless options for exploration, this trip is for you.

We fly flag-stop to Coldfoot on a regularly scheduled commercial flight from Fairbanks. From Coldfoot we’ll take a float plane or tundra tire charter flight deep into the wilderness of Gates of the Arctic National Park.

From our drop-off point in the backcountry the options are nearly endless in terms of how this trip is structured. We can set up a base-camp and do day hikes with light packs, do out-and-back overnight or multi-day treks, do overnight or multi-day loops, do multi-day point to point treks with a different pickup location for our return flight, or a combination of these options.

The nearly limitless options for structuring this trip make it ideal for most ability and experience levels. It can be a family-friendly trip.

Whether you’re new to backpacking and hiking in the Alaskan backcountry and are looking for an unforgettable introduction to life-changing wilderness experiences, or are a seasoned trekker looking to take your backcountry experience to the next level, the Thunder Valley area can accommodate.

Dates:

• 7-days recommended for most parties, but shorter and longer trips are definitely possible (for the trip as described above as well as variations)
• This trip (and all others in Gates of the Arctic and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) is great in June: an ideal time of year before the bugs get bad but after most higher elevation snow is gone. It’s also an excellent trip from mid-August through September after the bugs have died off and when the skies darken enough again for fantastic star gazing and Aurora Borealis viewing.

Rates:

• Start at $4500 per person

Itinerary:

• June 8: Evening meeting at a convenient location in Fairbanks for introductions, trip overview, personal gear check (there’s an REI nearby for any last-minute needs), and distribution of group gear and food (pre-packed in bear-resistant canisters).
• June 9: Meet at Fairbanks airport in the morning to get flown to Coldfoot. Take charter float plane or tundra tire flight from Coldfoot into the backcountry. Start trekking!  
• June 10-14: Trek, camp, eat, sleep, repeat in sublime Brooks Range wilderness.
• June 15: Last day of trekking. Get picked up at a lake by float plane or airstrip by tundra tire equipped plane for the return to Coldfoot. Spend the night in Coldfoot camping with CMI (the less expensive option) or get food and lodging at Coldfoot Camp.
• June 16: Return flight to Fairbanks in the morning.

Call/text 907-831-9686 and/or email info@chugachsnow.org if you’re interested in this trip or any other Arctic adventure!

This trip can be customized to be longer or shorter.

If you’re interested in a longer and adventurous point to point trip, check out the Oolah Triple Pass Traverse.