Mountain River Canoe Trip:  One of Canada's most spectacular wilderness rivers, the Mountain River is travelled by fewer than 150 canoeists each  year.  Wild and remote, the Mackenzie Mountain scenery is breathtaking.  It offers glimpses of caribou, dall sheep, Arctic wolf and moose, against a stunning backdrop of colour.  The river itself drops more than 3000 feet, providing a roller coaster ride of almost continuous fun waves.  From the first paddle stroke to the finale at the Mackenzie River, the current never stops as we travel through five dramatic canyons.   

The group assembles in the northern Dene/ oil town of Norman Wells.  From here it is about an hours bush plane flight high up into the MacKenzie Mountains to the headwaters at Mountain Lake.  We'll spend a night here before heading down a tiny creek and then the very fast flowing Arctic Sky River into the Mountain proper.  From here it will be two weeks of fun filled paddling, hiking and camping as we make our way down this, one of the most spectacular and best paddling rivers in all of northern Canada.  Along the way there are 5 stunning canyons, all of which can be paddled, miles and miles ...

Expand to show more content

Mountain River Canoe Trip:  One of Canada's most spectacular wilderness rivers, the Mountain River is travelled by fewer than 150 canoeists each  year.  Wild and remote, the Mackenzie Mountain scenery is breathtaking.  It offers glimpses of caribou, dall sheep, Arctic wolf and moose, against a stunning backdrop of colour.  The river itself drops more than 3000 feet, providing a roller coaster ride of almost continuous fun waves.  From the first paddle stroke to the finale at the Mackenzie River, the current never stops as we travel through five dramatic canyons.   

The group assembles in the northern Dene/ oil town of Norman Wells.  From here it is about an hours bush plane flight high up into the MacKenzie Mountains to the headwaters at Mountain Lake.  We'll spend a night here before heading down a tiny creek and then the very fast flowing Arctic Sky River into the Mountain proper.  From here it will be two weeks of fun filled paddling, hiking and camping as we make our way down this, one of the most spectacular and best paddling rivers in all of northern Canada.  Along the way there are 5 stunning canyons, all of which can be paddled, miles and miles of class 2 (with  some class 3) runable rapids, enticing hot springs and gysers and fantastic scenery the whole way.  We end on the famous MacKenzie River from whence we will be transported back to Norman Wells.

Tentative Itinerary...

Day 0:  Participants should arrive in Norman Wells the day before the trip begins. 

Day 1:  Weather permitting, we will be shuttled to NorthWright Air for charter flights* into Willow Handle Lake.  We will make the one portage of the trip from Willow Handle to Push Me Pull You Creek this afternoon or the next morning.  Our first camp will be made either on Willow Handle Lake or on the Creek, depending on the time of our arrival.

Day 2:: The morning will be spent first portaging the 1kms to a small creek and then paddling and wading through the shallow water as it heads quickly down toward the Mountain Valley.  In the afternoon we may go on a short hike to view the surroundings from higher ground.

Day 3: Today we will do some paddling review before heading onto Arctic Sky Creek, where we will shoot a rocky R II/III and a series of R I/II's which will take us through the first canyons of the trip.  Later in the afternoon, we will pass through several R I and II's and by numerous sweepers.  We will camp near the junction with the Mountain River.  22 km

Day 4:  On this, our first day on the Mountain itself, we will take a day off from paddling to hike the spectacular upper Mountain River Valley. 

Day 5:  Today will be a relaxing, easy paddling day with swifts, a few small rapids and great scenery.  We will have time for an afternoon hike or fishing.  27 km

Day 6:  Another relaxing and easy paddling day with swifts and small rapids.  We will pass  the 'moon scape' in the afternoon and will engage in a short hike to investigate this interesting location.  Camp will be made near the Tufa Mounds, beautiful rock formations with bubbling sulphurous geysers.  30 km

Day 7:  After a visit to the Tufa Mounds, we will head onto the river.  A few hours of swift current and wavy R I's will bring us to our campsite at Cache Creek (entrance to first canyon of Mountain proper).  23 km

Day 8:  Today will be spent hiking the spectacular mountain ranges surrounding the river.  The rise behind the campsite is home to a spring and bizarre suspended 'water bridge'!

Day 9:  This morning we will paddle the beautiful, but not difficult, First canyon.  The afternoon will take us through some large waves at the base of some cliffs, before we arrive at Egotachile Creek rapids and the second canyon of the Mountain.  Lots of R II's today.  34 km

Day 10:  Today we will paddle "U" turn half canyon (R III), before heading on to Third canyon (R II/III).  The section from the half canyon to the Third canyon consists of almost continuous wavy RII and III's.  This is a very exciting section of river, with some of the most enjoyable and continuous rapids to be found anywhere.  36 km

Day 11:  Those interested can do a short morning hike at Third canyon, before we get on the river to paddle swift current, RI's and Fourth canyon (R II/III).  38 km

Day 12:  Swift current and RI's all day,  before paddling the Fifth, and last, canyon (R II).  Just after this canyon we will hit a natural hot (warm) springs! Good-bye mountains.

50 km

Day 13:  The current gradually slows today as we near the muddy Mackenzie River. 

35 km

Day 14:  We will be picked up today and shuttled by either motor boat or plane* the 125 km up the Mackenzie R. to Norman Wells. You will wish to book accommodation in Norman Wells ahead of time.  We will meet for a finale diner at the Mackenzie Valley Hotel. 

Note:  You are responsible for your own accommodation and meals.

NOTE:  Flights home should be booked for Day 15 (not 14) as weather can cause delays and means we often don't make it back in time for the afternoon flight.

* Please note:  It is the nature of bush plane flights that such factors as weather, pilot judgment, fire, mechanical problems etc. can dictate the schedule of flights and can cause delays.  Wanapitei can not control these factors and accepts no responsibility for lost time.

* Please note:  It is the nature of bush plane flights that such factors as weather, pilot judgment, fire, mechanical problems etc. can dictate the schedule of flights and can cause delays.  Wanapitei can not control these factors and accepts no responsibility for lost time.