Continued from the last posting, I was exploring the Arctic
north...
After progressing up to Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay), it’s time
to explore in the Gate of Arctic National Park & Preserve on foot. The 3-day backpacking trip began with
crossing icy cold Dietrich River. Soon after I put dry shoes back on, a long
steep ascent weaved before us... The tundra-covered
hillside angled almost straight up to the ridge... In this undeveloped National Park, there aren't
any systematic trails. Hikers have to find own way and navigate with a map and
compass. After only a few hours of climbing, the valley with the Dalton Hwy and
Dietrich River sprawled far below me! The
entire valley and the mountains above were lighting up with warm afternoon sun.
The wide unfolding ridge was almost flat, covered with
tundra and numerous tiny streams. I
found a perfect Zen garden among the autumn tundra.
The Arctic is the land of the ceaselessly migrating Caribou.
The fallen off antlers were naturally
discarded on the tundra all over this area...
The first night’s camp was on the ridge, overlooking the Kuyuktuvuk
Creek Valley. The clouds rolled in and it rained all night.
Fortunately, the rain stopped the next morning. Slowly
climbing down to the creek, into the valley with colorful fall colors, I was
amazed this pristine dramatic scenery where only a few people had ever visited.
I spotted a fresh bear dropping, the skull of Dall Sheep, the skin of Caribou,
but never saw any large wildlife except an oversized porcupine. Walking on the ancient glacial moraine, gully,
crossing the swift Kuyuktuvuk Creek, and hiking up to the tundra hillside for
the entire day. As I hiked along Kuyuktuvuk
Creek to upstream, the landscape was changing drastically; less vegetation with
rocky terrain. Snow dusted mountains were
towering above, and the rushing creeks became narrow and shallow streams. When I reached Oolah Lake, the air was
different, much colder than the ridge I awoke on in the morning!
After breaking camp near Oolah Lake, I retraced our steps
back along Kuyuktuvuk Creek. I climbed back to the steep hillside, walked
across the wide boggy ridge, and descended straight down to Dietrich River for
one full day. The whole area was truly magical, I was in the beautiful Arctic
dream.
