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As
soon as the bushplane has left, a feel
of isolation sets in, but changes
quickly to freedom. Just nature and you
and the river to determine where to go. Within
prime moose habitat we set up camp in
the open spruce forest. From the campfire,
we can overlook the lake, watch for Loons
and try to spot a moose stepping out into the
open. We slowly ease into this outdoor life.
The small lakes are ideal for a leisure canoe
trip to check out some hidden bays. An
attempt to fish is often rewarded with a pike
or grayling, and don't be
surprised if a moose is curiously watching
you.
The narrow and shallow cariboo creek
winds its path through open country with low
vegetation towards the Liard River. Maneuvering
the tight bends and avoiding gravel bars and
some rocks, sharpens the canoeing skills.
The Liard awaits as a narrow swift river
when we join in, but grows steadily from it's
plentiful tributaries
Rock strewn river sections spiced with some
sweepers and piles of driftwood keep paddling
interesting. Navigating the first part
of the Liard River requires some
precise maneuvering, and is a lot of
fun for those who like some action
We see the gravel bottom racing past as
as we look down through the clear water.
The fast water leaves a river bed with large
gravel bars, and sometimes creates many
channels.
The spectacular slopes of the Pelly
Mountains show through openings along the
river, until we get an unobstructed view from very
close by. Lots of stops for taking
pictures break up these days.
The many tributaries feeding into the
Liard create nice campsites and good fishing
opportunities. The river changes all the time
from a single channel to a widespread
water surface with gravel islands in
between.
Interesting cut banks and erosion pillars ( hoodos)
show the constant changes of a natural river.
Old Trapline Cabins are a welcome
shelter if it ever happens to be necessary,
and are good examples of how people live in
the wilderness.
The river stays fast, almost to the end, where
it widens again but never looses its
unchained character.
As an optional
trip extension to the canoe
trip, Kluane National Park with
its rugged, mostly glaciated mountains,
will give us 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 we see the vast glaciated
landscape of the Saint Elias Mountains
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Date
July 3 - July 15
2008
Trip extension
:
Hiking in Kluane National Park
July 15 - July 22 2008
For details scroll down
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Price
Can.
$ 2.750.- + 5 % GST ( Canoe trip)
out of Whitehorse |
No.
of Participants
3 - 7 |
Included
in Price
2 nights in a middle class hotel in Whitehorse (double
occupancy) or in the guest cabin at Yukon-Wild,
during the canoe trip in 2 person tents
( single room and tent Can. $ 350.- extra), 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,
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
You should have experience in canoeing on fast
moving water with obstructions.
Even though, we will go through the techniques of
river paddling, previous proper paddling stroke
practice will be an asset. |
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Besides, having
the highest concentration of Grizzly
Bears, Kluane is the home of Dall Sheep,
Mountain Goat Moose, Black Bear and Eagles. 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
start from here.
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More
Pictures here Reservations
Liard River
Yukon |
| 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
the floatplane base in Whitehorse we fly appr. 1
hour by floatplane to the Cariboo lakes. We set
up camp close to the shore and try some fishing and canoeing
in the afternoon |
| Day
3 |
On a little
excursion with the canoes we paddle up a creek to the
other two lakes of the Cariboo lake chain, watching out for moose
and common loons. For supper we try some fishing for pike, and your guide shows you how to prepare those on the open
fire.
Your guide will spend as much time as needed with each
participant, to practice paddling strokes and maneuvers for
the upcoming river trip
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| Day
4 - 5 |
After
some paddling, we are at the beginning of Cariboo
Creek. Within 1 - 2 days we will reach the Liard River.
Being fairly shallow with some broken beaver dams,
it flows through bushy meadows - prime moose habitat.
At times it widens into a shallow lake with overgrown
shorelines. Some rocks and the shallows require lots of quick
maneuvering in the moving water. After that day
everybody will be confident with left and right
turns. Depending on water levels and beaver dams we might
have to line the canoes here and there. Rising in the
distance, the Pelly Mountains mark our bearing. |
| Day
6 - 11 |
The narrow
swift upper Liard River grabs our canoes and
our attention. Some tight bends with sweepers
and driftwood change into sections with strewn rocks and
choppy water.
Lots of tributaries add to the water volume of the Liard,
and create great fishing pools and campsites
nearby. Every day the river changes its appearance.
The dramatic Pelly Mountains close by, change into
rolling hills. The river keeps a good pace all the
way down. Single channel sections change to braids
with many gravel islands.
We move camp from day to day and relax in the evening
around the campfire with great vistas all around. |
| Day
12 |
After the Frances
River joins in on the last day, the Liard becomes
a bigger river. We finish this canoe trip in upper
Liard. Close by we visit the "Sign Post Forest
" in Watson Lake, an array of signs people
have brought from all over the world.
The drive back to Whitehorse over the Continental Divide
is a sightseeing trip by itself.
In the evening you will be back in the hotel in Whitehorse. |
| Day
13 |
Transfer
to the Airport
or continue with the trip extension : Hiking in
Kluane National Park |
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Trip Extension :
Kluane National Park
Hiking, Sightseeing and Wildlife Viewing
Dates
and
Rates |
July 15
- July 22
2008
Can. $1.150.- + 5 % GST out of
Whitehorse
|
| Included
in Price |
1
night in a middle class hotel in Whitehorse (double
occupancy), 7 nights in
our rustic log cabin or walltent at Kluane National Park all
required shuttles and transfers from Whitehorse,
complete cooking and camp gear, all meals during the trip,
experienced licensed guide,
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. |
Itinerary
for trip extension Kluane
National Park
| Day 13 |
After breakfast
we drive 180 km to our wilderness log cabin Kluane National Park,
close to the village of Haines Junction. From the
distance the Front Range of the Saint Elias Mountains
dominates the view . Close to Kathleen Lake, we get
set up at the cabin. An evening walk along
the lakeshore will open up the spirits for the
following days. |
| Day 14 - 16 |
From a wilderness log
cabin, 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 and 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 17 |
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 interesting and
also 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 18 |
A
short drive away is the huge Kluane Lake, fed by the Kaskawulsh
Glacier. We start our hike from here, up the drainage of
the glacier. 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 waters
of Kluane Lake and the snow covered mountains in the
back. |
| Day 19 |
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 20 |
Transfer
to the Airport |
Reservations
Liard River
Yukon
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)
-
Whistle
-
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap (
biodegradable), Kleenex, Toilet paper ( 1 Roll), Towel,
Sunscreen, Personal Medication
-
light hiking boots
for around camp
-
broken in hiking boots
( for trip extension in Kluane National Park)
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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:
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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.
Liard River
Yukon
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