The Wind River is an arctic mountain river and is renown for its tremendous hiking and "friendly" whitewater flows, ideal for the intermediate canoeist. Paralleling the border of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, the Wind River is one of those remote northern rivers that offers superb mountain hiking without the mosquitoes of the tundra.
Wonderful hiking and panoramic vistas abound against a mountainous backdrop. Flowing through a valley that parallels the Bonnet Plume Range and Snake River, the Wind River offers Class II Yukon whitewater canoeing. In his book, Paddling in the Yukon, author Ken Madsen reports:
"Canoeing the Wind is a journey through truly wild lands...Paddlers on the Wind travel through the home of wilderness-dependent animals such as grizzlies and wolverines."
We travel in 2-person canoes over 12 river days from McClusky Lake to the confluence with the Peel River, a full 280 km (165 miles) with an elevation drop of 800 m (2400 ft).
Craft Description: Canoe - 2-Person canoe
Prerequisites: Class II White Water Skills
Available Dates
Rate Details
CAD: $5,825
USD: $4,892 *fluxuates daily
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.8399
Additional Wind River Trip Notes:
Map
The following is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river, while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions.
The following initials indicate the meals included each day:Breakfast = B | Lunch = L | Dinner = D
Day 0 WHITEHORSE, YUKON
Your journey north from your home will be a refreshing departure. You will fly over the largest expanse of wilderness in the world with stunning views on cloudless days, pass through quieter and friendlier airports, meet friendlier and less harried service personnel and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
Please be in Whitehorse in time for an orientation meeting at the Westmark Klondike Inn at 8 pm. Participants are responsible for hotels and meals while in Whitehorse.Whitehorse is a great place to spend a few extra days.
We will send you a visitor’s booklet. The historic sites areinteresting and there are local day hikes, gold panning float trips through Miles Canyon and 4x4 outings in the region.
Day 1 (L/D) MOUNTAIN FLIGHT
We will meet in the hotel lobby at 7:30 am. following breakfast (not included) discuss final details before our departure. Travelling by van we will make the scenic 5-hour drive to the “end of the road” at Mayo. Here we will transfer to a float plane and fly the spectacular and remote 135 miles into McClusky Lake. This is truly a spectacular and remote part of the Yukon wilderness! Have your cameras and plenty of film handy for the flight.
Day 2 (B/L/D) MCCLUSKY CREEK
Unwinding from the days of travel, we will review paddling skills on the beautiful lake bordered on all sides by majestic peaks and arctic grayling breaking the surface. After a short portage, afternoon will find us lining, wading and paddling McClusky Creek to the junction with the WindRiver. Neoprene booties with tough soles or sneakers will payoff here. Camp will be in the vicinity of Nash Creek.
Day 3 (B/L/D) FLOOD RIVER
The Wind is a relatively wide mountain valley allowing “big sky” views along with the burnished grey mountains peaks unique to the range. Today’s paddle will feature mountain views with a good chance of seeing caribou,sheep and grizzly. Camp will be downstream of Bond Creek.
Day 4 (B/L/D) HIKING
Once again the easy ridges in the area will lure us offon a day hike with tremendous views, wildlife viewing and alpine flowers.
Day 5 (B/L/D) BEAR CREEK
This stretch is one of the visual highlights. Continuing downstream past Bear Creek we will enjoy majestic views of Royal Mountain.
Day 6 (B/L/D) ROYAL MOUNTAIN
Our paddling is rewarded by another day of ridge tops and alpine skylines that stretch across the horizon overlooking Royal Mountain and Royal Creek. Keen eyes will spot Dall sheep among the crags.
Day 7 (B/L/D) ILLTYD RANGE
Back on the river the swift moving river will sweep us past the tail of the chain of mountains through which we have been paddling. Individual peaks will continue to dominate the horizon. Moose sightings are possible and camp will be upstream of Prongs Creek with views of the Illtyd Range.
Day 8 (B/L/D) LOST PATROL
Paddling towards Mount Deslauriers we will pass Little Wind River of the Lost Patrol Fame ( a definite campfire story!) Camp will be in view of Mount Deception near Hungry Creek ( let’s hope there is nothing to the name!)
Day 9 (B/L/D) MOUNT DECEPTION
A spectacular Ridge walk on Mount Deception will reward us with views north to the Richardson Mountains (weather permitting).
Day 10 (B/L/D) WIND CITY HISTORY
The strong current will accompany us to our camp on the Lower Wind. Higher cliffs cut by numerous small creeks provide numerous wildlife corridors. Here we will be in the vicinity of Wind City. No longer in existence, it was the wintering place of an ill fated group of gold seekers on route to the Klondike in ‘98.
Day 11 (B/L/D) PEEL & BONNET PLUME RIVERS
Arriving at the Peel River we will pass the confluence with the Bonnet Plume. The Peel River Canyon will be a highlight with spectacular vertical walls and standing waves of class II -III. Camp will be approx. 70 km downstream of the canyon at Taco bar.
Day 12 (B/L) FLOAT PLANE
In the morning we will be met by the aircraft that will ferry us back to Mayo. There we will be met by our van and travel the Klondike Highway back to Whitehorse. Depending on timing the group may decide to stop for supper at a diner along the way or upon arrival in Whitehorse (supper and hotel not included). Camp will be in your hotel room in Whitehorse (your responsibility). If you have not eaten on the road, the group will likely want to gather at a local eatery (not included) to celebrate the return and recount tales of the adventure!
Day 13 HOMEWARD BOUND
After goodbyes and a last look around Whitehorse we will head home with a cargo of fond and spectacular memories.