Upper and Lower Stikine Canoeing River Expeditions | CA-NRA802

You’re advised to arrive at our meeting point in Whitehorse, Yukon at 6 p.m. and make your way to the hotel of your choice. At 8 p.m., we’ll rendezvous with the guides at the High Country Inn for an orientation.

The next day, we’ll fly to the gold rush town of Telegraph Creek on the Stikine River, situated downstream of the Grand Canyon of the Stikine. From there, we’ll hike to our camp near Tsikhini River, and climb aboard our canoes. Our path downriver is 267 kilometers (165 miles) with an elevation drop of 200 meters (600 feet).

Over the next 10 days of paddling, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot the rich wildlife near the river. We might see grizzlies, black bears, moose, Mountain goats, and Bald Eagles. We’ll also float past First Nations fishing camps, some of which have become lonely ghost-towns.

The panoramas will be changing with every bend. Our journey will take us to the highly glaciated Coast Range that will provide a stark contrast to the large mountains and glaciers in the Flood River Valley region. After passing the Flood and Mud ice caps, we’ll hike to an iceberg-dotted lake beside a majestic glacier. Remember to keep an eye out for the fauna of the wetlands in the ancient rainforests nearby!

We’ll feast on fresh salmon and paddle down a hidden back channel to bathe in the warm waters of the Chief Shakes Hot Springs. Once we reach the colorful fishing community of Wrangell, Alaska, you’ll have a chance to walk around and explore.

We leave Wrangell in the afternoon on the Inside Passage Ferry, where you’ll get a close look at the famed Alaska Inside Passage. Steaming through the villages of Petersburg, Sitka and the state capital of Juneau, we’ll have a restful overnight in one of the cabins.

Our vessel will take us to the historic gold rush town of Skagway, where we’ll wander the vivid streets and visit local shops and restaurants. Then we’ll have a 2-hour ride back to Whitehorse, from where you can catch your flight home, or spend one more night in town and fly out the next day.

From a long mountain lake tucked away in the scenic Spatsizi Plateau, we’ll canoe on the Upper Stikine River and marvel at the alpine scenery of Spatsizi Wilderness Park, making our way to the upper end of the river’s Grand Canyon.

The Upper Stikine River offers a thrilling experience for paddlers comfortable with Class II and III whitewater, as the flow will take us on a 225-kilometer journey with an elevation drop of 303 meters (around 909 feet).

We advise arriving at the meeting point in Whitehorse at 6 p.m., where you can check in the hotel of your choice. At 8 p.m. we’ll have an orientation with the guides at the High Country Inn and discuss tour details.

The next day, we’ll drive to Dease Lake and catch our flights to Tuaton Lake. Be ready to snap some photos of the unparallelled Spatsizi Plateau! From the lake, we’ll hike into Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, home to B.C.’s largest herd of woodland caribou and the former traditional hunting ground of the Tahltan First Nation.

Each day we’ll be greeted by a new unique collection of scenery and rich wildlife. As we enjoy the views of the Tuaton and Laslui lakes, the fishers among you may attempt to get a bountiful catch in the alpine mirror-like waters.

On the final day at the river, we’ll reach the canoe take-out at the Cassiar Highway bridge. From there we’ll make our way back to Dease Lake for dinner and a night’s rest.

While booking the Upper Stikine River trip, you’ll have a few options for start and finish locations.

For even more uplifting experience, you can decide to remain with us for the upcoming Lower Stikine expedition. Then you’ll stay in Dease Lake and begin your adventure the next day.

You can also choose to begin and end your journey in Dease Lake, so in this case, you’ll be departing home from there the day your expedition ends.

Those who choose to begin and end their tour in Whitehorse will take a ride from Dease Lake to Whitehorse, stay there overnight and catch their flights the next day. Until the next adventure!

Daily changes and adjustments to the itinerary are likely as we explore the river valley and adapt to weather and resulting changes in the river’s flow.

You need to arrange your flight to the starting point, along with your flight home. You’ll also be responsible for arranging accommodation and meals on the days when we will not be on the river. Additional information will be supplied upon booking.