MARSH FORK

If your passions are hiking, photography, birding, or looking for wildlife, the Marsh Fork is your river. This time of year the mountain valley’s are still transitioning out of the grip of winter, and there are just a few short weeks before it comes roaring back. Most of the landscape will be snow and ice free, making for great cross country travel. Lush valley bottoms contrast with the austere exposed rocks and slopes of the Brooks Range. In places, the river will cut a channel through large swaths of aufeis, otherworldly fields of ice created by underground springs that continue to upwell and freeze through the long winter.

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The birding goes into overdrive once we leave the mountains and enter the coastal plain. A wide variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and passerines take advantage of the abundance of food and relative safety of the tundra to pair up, nest, and feed before departing as the summer turns into fall. June is a peak time for bird life in the Arctic, and the Marsh Fork offers a front row seat to the action.

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With some swift, rocky sections, the Marsh Fork offers fun Class II-III whitewater. Trip participants should be in good physical condition, one of the best features of the Marsh Fork is the option to get out and explore. Hiking can range from easy strolls along the river to strenuous climbs, or none at all—it’s entirely up to you. Prior rafting experience is not required; all necessary safety and skills instruction will be provided at the beginning of the trip.

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As with any wilderness trip in Alaska, the most important things to bring are good rain gear, good bug spray, and a good attitude, no matter how much you have to use the rain gear and bug spray.

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Looking for a longer trip? Want to cover more water? The Canning River is a great float too! If you think you might be interested in floating the Canning River to the Arctic Ocean, let us know. We’re happy to accommodate whatever changes or additions to the schedule we can. More days on the water is always a win!