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We
start with the canoe trip on Quiet
Lake. The following two smaller Lakes
give ample time to get acquainted with
the new element. For the next 11 days we
follow the path of the Big Salmon River.
Every day we move on, to set up camp at different
locations. Over time we get used to the narrow
river, tight bends and sometimes quick maneuvers.
Sweepers and faster water alternates with more
sedate sections. Seasoned paddlers and
ambitious beginners alike will be inspired by
this untouched wilderness river.
As we float downstream
we will be on the watch for moose and
eagles. Beaver lodges are a common
sight, and if we are lucky we'll see a
beaver himself.
Every month of the summer has it's special
features. In June, we will have lots of water,
moose cows and their calves stay close
to the river for protection, and at
night it never gets dark.
Long daylight hours and warm weather
mark July. In August King Salmon are
coming up the river to spawn. The beginning of
September changes the color of the vegetation
to a carpet of red and gold - Indian Summer
we call it.
The last three
days we float down the mighty Yukon River
and get a glimpse of the gold rush days.
In total we paddle for about 350 km through
pristine wilderness until we finish our
trip at the native village of Carmacks
Besides the
proper technique of canoeing,
your guide will be able to tell you lots about
wildlife, plants and traditional lifestyle
in the wilderness.
After the canoe
trip Kluane National Park with
its rugged, mostly glaciated mountains,
will give you a totally different perspective
of the Yukon.
On day hikes
we explore different areas of the Park .
Starting on forest trails, through alpine
meadows, along small mountain lakes, all
the way up to vista points on mountain tops.
In the distance you will see the vast glaciated
landscape of the Saint Elias Mountains
.
Besides, having
the highest concentration of Grizzly
Bears, Kluane is the home of Dall Sheep,
Mountain Goat, Moose, Black Bear and Eagles.
Opportunities for wildlife viewings are very
likely. Within this untouched wilderness area,
which is 75% covered by glaciers, rises Mount
Logan - Canada's highest peak which is almost
6000 meters high. Here we have the largest non
polar icefield in the world
At the fringe of Kluane lies the small
community of Haines Junction. Activities like
Trail Riding, Glacier Flights, or a Whitewater
Rafting Trip on the Tatshenshini River
starts from here.
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Date
June 17
- July 8
2008
July
3 -
July
24
2008
August 5 - August
26 2008
August 28 - September 18 2008
Canoe trip can be
booked separately
For details scroll down
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Price
Can.
$ 3.200 + 5 % GST
out of Whitehorse |
No.
of Participants
3 - 7 |
Included
in Price
2 nights in a middle class hotel in Whitehorse (double
occupancy), all required shuttles and transfers,
introduction course in canoeing on swift moving
water, canoes, paddles, lifejackets, complete cooking and camp
gear, all meals during the canoe trip and the auxiliary
program in Kluane,12 nights in 2 person tents
( single room and tent Can. $ 350.- extra) 7
nights in rustic log cabin or wall tent, activities according to
itinerary, experienced licensed
guide, satellite phone on the canoe trip for your
safety.
Personal luggage, not
used on the trip, can be stored at our place ( Yukon
Wild)
|
Extra
cost
Transportation
to and from Whitehorse, meals while staying in the hotel, alcoholic beverages,
fishing license, optional activities, tips. |
Requirements
to participate
The canoe trip is suited for a physically
fit, ambitious beginner or more experienced paddlers
alike. You learn the skills to navigate easy
class 2 rapids and avoid sweepers and obstructions,
but you have to put it to work yourself.
You should be able to paddle ( not float)
4 - 5
hours a day comfortably.
For day hikes you
should be in good physical condition. Walking time
is approximately 5 hours a day, change of
elevation appr. 700m. |
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More
Pictures here |
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Reservations
Big Salmon
River |
| Itinerary
| Day
1 |
Arrival
in Whitehorse, pick up at the airport, transfer
to your hotel. Time for discovering Whitehorse, last minute shopping before the trip.
In the evening introduction to the other participants. |
| Day
2 |
From
Whitehorse we drive for 250 km with our van to Quiet
Lake, the start of the canoe trip. After a short briefing
and the first instructions about canoeing we are on our way.
Long daylight hours give us enough time to reach our first
wilderness camp |
| Day
3 - Day 11 |
Surrounded by
the rugged mountains of the Big Salmon Range the small lake
system makes us feel at home in the wilderness right away. On
small connecting streams we paddle from one lake to the
next. At night a loon might cry across the water surface.
Starting as a small creek, the Big Salmon
River has clear water and some tight bends with driftwood
obstructions. The river widens and small tributaries with
gravel bars invite for frequent stops. After each bend, the
scenery seems to change. Slower sections are great to enjoy
the vistas, while the odd log pile gets us back into action.
Fishing and foto stops break up the day. Setting up camp at
a new location every evening becomes a daily routine. On the
campfire your guide will create a delicious meal.
We have one optional rest day for a short hike, relaxing in
camp, or building a sweat lodge in a traditional way. By
now, the Big Salmon meanders through more open poplar
country. Swift choppy water on the last day on the Salmon
River makes up for some excitement.
Way too fast, it seems, after 250 km we reach the Yukon
River.
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| Day
12 - 14 |
From
here on, we float down the River, with occasional stops.
Relicts from the times of the gold rush are always
interesting to explore. Fallen in log cabins, gold dredges
and other mining equipment are all that remains of those heydays, more than 100 years ago. A native cemetery at
Little Salmon is a last stop, before we reach the village of
Carmacks, where we end the trip.
Here we get picked up by our van, and drive back along the
Klondike Highway to Whitehorse, from where we continue
with the
second stage of the journey, Kluane National Park.
Clients just taking part in the canoe trip, will stay in
Whitehorse at the hotel. |
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The
trip continues with 7 days
Log cabin adventure and hiking in Kluane National Park
or it ends with your departure on day 15 |
| Day
15 - 18 |
From
a wilderness log
cabin, being our base camp, we start the day hikes. On different trails we explore the variety Kluane
has to offer. Starting in the boreal forest, we reach
alpine meadows and vistas of the ice covered mountains
in the back. Dall Sheep an Grizzly Bears are
famous for the park. Kings Throne at Kathleen Lake is
one of the most spectacular hikes in the area, overlooking
several lakes in the vast valley and beyond. Alpine wildflowers
are delicate beauty's in the harsh environment. In
the fall the red and golden vegetation is a sight nobody
will ever forget.
In our sweatlodge you can relax after a strenuous
hike |
| Day
19 |
On our drive
up the Haines road we get into the tundra. The open
country allows for good opportunities to spot wildlife.
En route we stop at a traditional native fish camp in
Klukshu of the Southern Tutchone Indians. Looking at
Salmon fishtraps and eagles is as interesting as talking to the elders about their
traditional lifestyle.
A sled dog kennel close by is a great opportunity to
see what winter in the Yukon is all about. |
| Day
20 |
A little
drive away is the huge Kluane Lake, fed by the Kaskawulsh
Glacier. We start our hike from here, up the Slims River
valley. The trail branches off towards Sheep
Mountain, home of a large number of Dall Sheep.
Sometimes they are resting near the trail and chances to sneak
up for a closer look are quite common. Red Castle Ridge
on the other side of the draw got its name from the iron
colored rocky cliffs.
A sudden drop signals that we have reached the top of Sheep
Mountain. Right below us expands the turquoise water
of Kluane Lake and the snow covered mountains rise in the
back. |
| Day
21 |
Today we
check out the Visitor Information Center in Haines
Junction with great displays about the park.
Optional activities of today are :
Trail riding along the Saint Elias Mountains (
beginners are welcome)
A white water rafting trip on the upper Tatshenshini
River ( WW 4)
A glacier flight, to get you into the heart of Kluane
National Park. From above you can see the largest non polar
icefield of the world.
If this seems to much for you, relax at the cozy log
cabin, or go for a walk along the Dezadeash River.
In the afternoon we drive back to the hotel in
Whitehorse . |
| Day
22 |
Transfer
to the Airport |
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The canoe trip on the Big Salmon River can also be booked separately
Dates
and
Rates |
June
17
- July
1
2008
July
3
- July
17
2008
Can. $ 2.150.- + 5 % GST out of
Whitehorse
August
5
- August
19 2008
September 4
- September 18
2008 |
| Included
in Price |
2 nights in a middle class hotel in Whitehorse (double
occupancy), all required shuttles and transfers from
Whitehorse,
introduction course into canoeing on swift moving
water, canoes, paddles, lifejackets, complete cooking and camp
gear, all meals during the canoe trip and the auxiliary
program in Kluane, 12 nights in 2 person tents
( single room and tent Can. $ 350.- extra), experienced licensed
guide, satellite phone on the canoe trip for your
safety.
personal luggage, not
used on the trip, can be stored at our place ( Yukon
Wild) |
|
Extra Cost |
Transportation
to and from Whitehorse, meals while staying in the hotel, alcoholic
beverages, fishing license. |
Reservations
Big Salmon River
Equipment
List :
personal Gear you should bring
along :
-
Sleeping bag, suitable for
light frost, down or synthetic
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Sleeping pad, preferred Therm A
Rest.
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Waterproof bag ( Seabag) for
your personal gear during canoe trip, min. 70 Liters
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Daypack or small waterproof bag
for the canoe trip
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Daypack for the hiking trip
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Water bottle
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Sewing kit
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Sunglasses
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Hat
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Pocket knife
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Mosquito
repellant ( best, bought in Whitehorse)
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Whistle
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Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap (
biodegradable), Kleenex, Toilet paper ( 1 Roll), Towel,
Sunscreen, Personal Medication
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broken in hiking boots
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Rain pants
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Rain jacket - best bet : Gore
Tex ( Poncho is not suitable for canoeing)
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Windbreaker
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Rubber Boots for the canoe trip
( can be rented from us)
personal gear you might bring
along:
-
Foto - think about waterproof
storage ( best bet : Pelican Case)
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Binoculars
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Underwear
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3 pair of socks
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2 long pants, fast drying
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1Longjohn
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2 T- Shirts
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1 long sleeve T- Shirt
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1 Long sleeve shirt, light one
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Fleece Jacket, or sweater
-
light gloves for paddling
This list contains the
basic equipment required to complete the trip comfortably.
According to your personal preference, you can certainly
substitute items, or add necessary things. But - please try to
keep the amount of gear as small as possible. The tendency to
bring too much is very common.
Please consider that
your complete
outfit should fit into the waterproof bag for the canoe
trip.
Big Salmon River
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