The route mapped here is from Summit Lake in the Oolah Valley to the Dalton Highway on the eastern edge of Gates of the Arctic. It makes a trek of 4-5 days, not counting side trips, or it can make half of the full traverse between Anaktuvuk Pass and Dalton Highway. If starting or ending at Summit Lake, you’ll need to charter a flight. For pickup or dropoff along Dalton Highway, you might want to arrange a shuttle. Alternatively, you could make an out and back or devise a loop with the eastern portion of this route, in order to avoid an expensive bush flight.

This track shows the general route but doesn’t account for the complexity and changing nature of the terrain, so actual mileage will be greater. Tracing rivers and creeks for most of the way, you’ll rely on your own route finding to choose between wet and rocky streambeds or brushy and muddy higher ground. Note that this track does not necessarily indicate suitable places to ford the rivers. The tundra waterways are constantly shifting, so it’s up to you to find the safe crossings.

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/gaar/planyourvisit/backpackingandhiking.htm https://www.alaska.org/detail/oolah-pass-packback