The Brooks Range: A Wild Place Worth Protecting

Alaska is filled with wild places, but few compare to the untamed beauty of the Brooks Range. Stretching approximately 600 miles across northern Alaska and into Canada’s Yukon Territory, this rugged mountain range stands as one of the last true frontiers of North America. It’s a place where time slows, where the land remains as it has for thousands of years—raw, untouched, and humbling in its vastness.

For me, the Brooks Range is more than a destination; it’s a way of life. It’s where my soul feels most at home. My husband and I often take off in our Super Cub from our home airstrip in North Pole, chasing new adventures deep into the wild. Out here, the world is simple—just the mountains, the rivers, and the rhythm of the land. Whether we’re hunting, fishing, or simply soaking in the solitude, every trip leaves me in awe.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of landing on a remote gravel bar, stepping out into crisp mountain air, and setting up camp beneath a sky so clear it feels infinite. As the river hums beside us and the fire crackles in the cool evening air, I’m reminded why I keep coming back. The Brooks Range isn’t just a place—it’s an experience, a connection to something bigger than myself. And that’s something worth protecting.

A Threat to the Last Frontier

Unfortunately, this untouched wilderness faces a serious threat. A proposed mining road, known as the Ambler Road, is set to cut through 211 miles of pristine tundra to provide access to four major mining districts. This development would not only disrupt fragile ecosystems but also threaten the wildlife populations that make this region so special.

As hunters and anglers, we have a responsibility to protect the wild places that fuel our passion. The Brooks Range is a rare and irreplaceable landscape—one that future generations should have the chance to experience as we have. Conservation isn’t just about protecting land; it’s about preserving a way of life that is deeply rooted in respect for nature.

I’ve had many humbling experiences in the Brooks Range that have only deepened my love for this land. And now, more than ever, I believe we must speak up for its future.

If you’d like to learn more about the fight to protect the Brooks Range, visit Hunters and Anglers for the Brooks Range.