Paddle the Big Salmon and Yukon Rivers through territory where wildlife is abundant and people are scarce. Explore sand pillars and arches, abandoned villages, and outposts. Starting on Quiet Lake, you'll paddle through several lakes before entering the Big Salmon River. See the spectacular Big Salmon Range rising to the west and Mount St. Cyr in the east. Read Robert Service poems at night while the wolves howl and the northern lights dance overhead. If you want to experience a truly remote wilderness expedition, pristine landscapes, and roughing it on a grand scale, this trip is for you!

Sample Itinerary

Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.

DAY 1: Meet in Whitehorse at 8:00 AM at a designated hotel. Shuttle by van to Quiet Lake, arriving in the afternoon. Review and repack personal gear, then begin the trip with camp setup and basic canoe instruction.

DAY 2: Paddle through Quiet, Sandy and Big Salmon Lakes to the entrance of the Big Salmon River where you will set up camp for the night. Much time will be spent prior to getting on the river mastering ferrying techniques, peel puts, drawing, prying, and other paddling strokes. You will be drilled these skills until you are proficient in order to paddle down the Big Salmon River. You may spend 1-2 days as a group on the Quiet and Big Salmon Lakes practicing these skills and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery and excellent fishing.

DAY 3: Leave the lake country and begin the river trip. The river twists and turns through high country as it passes Caribou Creek, Gray Creek, and the ominously named Scurvy Creek. Camp at the mouth of Scurvy Creek and fish for grayling.

DAY 4: Continue downstream past Scurvy Creek, with the beautiful Big Salmon Range rising to the west and Mt. St. Cyr and Tower Peak rising to the east.

DAYS 5-8: Your adventure continues with spectacular scenery and exciting paddling. This and the sections to follow are some of the fastest on the river. Enjoy a layover day to relax at camp, go fishing or hiking. See an abandoned village, the first structural evidence of past inhabitants since the trip's inception, at the junction of the Big Salmon and the Yukon.

DAYS 9-11: Continue paddling on the Yukon, with its fast water and high banks. The many sights to see and explore along this stretch include sand pillars and arches, abandoned villages, and a restored outpost.

DAY 12: Arrive at Carmacks in the morning. Drive back to Whitehorse to a hotel and a shower. Have one last dinner together at the Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse before leaving for points south the next day.

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: This area is a combination of mountainous and lowland terrain. The river banks are often steep and forested, but the Big Salmon is surprisingly accessible. You will camp in the most accessible areas available. The Big Salmon and Yukon offer a range of daily route options from very easy to very difficult. You will encounter class 2 rapids throughout your trip. In the case of extremely high water on the Big Salmon, other rivers will be explored and alternate routes selected.

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in 17-foot Old Town or Mad River canoes, which hold two to three paddlers plus all necessary gear. The average day's travel consists of 5-7 hours of paddling, depending on weather conditions. Because of the fast moving current, you will travel anywhere from 10-50 miles a day with the exception of layover days. To protect the environment, WI uses Leave No Trace camping techniques.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the summer can range from 20 F in the evening to 70 F during the day. Expect a variety of weather patterns, from hot, calm, summer days to rain, wind, and cold. Severe weather is not uncommon at this latitude (60 N).

LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in a comfortable Eureka Dome tents. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). We recommend that you bring your own personal sleeping bag and "camprest" foam core inflatable mattress (a limited number of sleeping bags and mattresses are available as loaners for individuals who need them). Bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse or a foldable commode chair set up in a privacy tent. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.

GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 10 to 12 participants, plus 2 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.

CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary canoeing and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: The Big Salmon River trip is truly an expedition consisting of challenging canoeing, unpredictable weather, and remote terrain. The trip is open to people of all abilities; however, it requires physical endurance and psychological stamina. Solid wilderness camping and canoe experience are recommended. Depending on water levels the Big Salmon can have some lievely rapids, including some class III. Whitewater paddling experience is a plus.

BORDER REQUIREMENTS: This destination is outside the US and has special special requirements for crossing the Canadian border. If you are interested in this trip, visit: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/ to learn more about the requirements.

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.

[ Dates & Fees ]      

The Yukon Territory is positioned in Canada's northwest corner, bordering Alaska. The shape of this mountainous territory forms a rough triangle.

Above the Arctic Circle (latitude 66º north), the Yukon is known as 'the land of the midnight sun' because for three months in summer, sunlight is almost continuous. In winter however, darkness sets in, and the light of day is not seen for a quarter of the year.

Forests cover 48 percent of the Yukon Territory. The northern regions are mostly barren tundra, a type of treeless plain. Farther south, milder temperatures permit some forest growth, especially in the river valleys and valley slopes below 900 or 1,200 m (3,000 to 4,000 ft). Here are stands of conifers, in which white spruce predominates.

The Yukon is rich in wildlife such as moose, caribou, mountain sheep, deer, and black and brown bears, including grizzly bears. Timber wolves are still common. Geese, swans, ducks, and numerous shorebirds such as sandpipers breed in the Yukon during the summer. The ptarmigan, found in all northern Canadian regions, remains throughout the year. In the Yukon’s waters swim the plentiful arctic grayling, northern pike, rainbow and lake trout, whitefish, and salmon.

Text above comes from graphicmaps.com and Encarta.Com

 

For more information, visit these links:

Canada Info Link

Explore North website

Big Salmon/Yukon River Canoe Trip Information

Canoe and fish as the salmon run

[ Dates & Fees ]

2010 Dates		Fee
08/10/2010 - 08/21/2010		$1975
2011 Dates		Fee
08/09/2011 - 08/20/2011		$1975	Register Now
Transportation Most people fly to Whitehorse, YT, meet us in the morning at a hotel that we choose, and then shuttle up to Quiet Lake. We will return to Whitehorse at the end of the trip. To make your travel arrangements for this trip we recommend that you consult with our travel agency, Travel One (800-245-1111). They are very familiar with our trips and can help you make the best flight connections at the best prices. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Meeting Places:		Additional Round-trip Fee:
Whitehorse		$0 (No charge)