John River

The John River is unique in that it flows between communities that can be reached via scheduled flights to an airstrip. This eliminates the need for a bush or float plane flights and significantly reduces the cost and logistics of the river.  A trip can be done in a long week or expanded to two weeks to include more time for side trips and continue down to Allakaket.

Put-Ins

• Anaktuvuk Pass can be reached via schedule air service. From the landing strip, hike about 5 miles to a floatable section of the river.  
• Hunt Fork Lakes is reached via float plane from Bettles.
• Sixty Mile Creek is reached via bush plane from Bettles.

Take-Outs

• Bettles is 4 miles upstream from the John-Koyukuk confluence. Walk a trail into Bettles where there is scheduled flight service.
• Allakaket is a further 60 miles down the Koyukuk river which has scheduled flights.

On the River

ANAKTUVUK PASS TO HUNT FORK

38 MILES, CLASS II-III

This is a section of sustained whitewater which may have some portages. Counting Anaktuvuk Pass as river mile 0, the first 12 miles is a Class I braided section. At about mile 12 the character changes rather abruptly and the dropping elevation becomes clear against the horizon. From mile 12 to the 3rd confluence, river mile 28, the gradient is a healthy 50 fpm (feet/mile). The river drops 800 feet in elevation in 16 miles. While most of this reach is Class II or II+ there are several drops that are clearly Class III.  Due to the continuous nature of whitewater and the dense foliage enshrouding the banks, portaging is not an option. Everyone must be able to confidently paddle down continuous whitewater to run this section. The next 10 miles to the Hunt Fork confluence the gradient settles down to 10 fpm and the biggest challenge is to minimize the severity of scraping down the thin, wide, cobble drops. 

HUNT FORK TO SIXTY-MILE CREEK

47 MILES, CLASS II

The river mellows to Class II and is a popular section. From Hunt Fork to Sheep Creek, river mile 65, the gradient is 11 fpm. Gunsight Mountain is a prominent landmark on river left, rising 3,000 feet above, and marks the approximate halfway mark from Anaktuvuk to Bettles. 5 miles below Gunsight Mountain the mountains open up to a wide, flat river valley and the character changes dramatically to a calm, Class I river. The last chance to hike up a mountain is at river mile 72 on river right. Once you exit this southern gate of the Gates of the Arctic, the river is a nearly flat 3 fpm for the next 70 miles to the confluence with the mighty Koyukuk. 

SIXTY-MILE CREEK TO THE KOYUKUK RIVER

53 MILES - CLASS I

An easy section to float. The gradient is essentially as flat as a river can be while still flowing, at 2-3 fpm.  The river typically flows at 2 - 3 miles per hour, making it quite easy to paddle or drift for 25 - 30 miles in a short day. 

KOYUKUK RIVER TO ALLAKAKET

60 MILES - CLASS I

Continue down the larger Koyukuk River to the village of Allakaket. The Koyukuk is a massive river that can have 10,000's CFS and flow at a healthy 7-8 miles per hour. If putting in on the upper North Fork of the Koyukuk it is advisable to wait until after June so the ice shelves have completely melted out. 

Notes

• The John River is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
• The Alaska River Guide by Karen Jettmar provides a brief description of the John River.
• Brooks Range Aviation provides bush flights from Bettles to the John River.

• Suitable Activities: Packrafting
• Seasons: June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: *Varies*
• Length: 140.0 mi
• High Point: 2,100 ft

• Land Manager: Gates of the Artic National Park & Preserve
• Parking Permit Required: None
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12