13-Day Mountain River Canoe Trip

With six stunning canyons, the Mountain River is considered the most coveted whitewater canoe trip in Canada by seasoned river-guides. Its remote setting and big, fun whitewater with jaw-dropping mountain scenery will thrill you right to the confluence with the Mackenzie River.

Each canyon is stunningly beautiful and offers its own challenge, however there is plenty of time to warm up on the upper stretches of the river. Our certified and professional guide team will make every effort to help you develop your paddling skills along the way and keep a watchful eye out that everyone is safe and having fun! Due to the more difficult rapids (up to class 3) of the Mountain, this trip is suitable for Intermediate or Advanced paddlers, however we are able to accommodate a few intrepid novice paddlers on every trip. If you are someone with a little paddling experience who enjoys a thrill and isn't afraid to push your limits, then feel free to inquire with us about the Mountain. 

Gear and Accommodation at the Canoe North Adventures Lodge and Outfitting Centre included. 

ITINERARY

ARRIVAL

we require that travellers arrive in Norman Wells the day before they embark on their expedition

DAY 1

Depart the Float Base on the charter flight to Dusty Lake.

DAY 2-12 

Portage about 600m to the Mountain River. Real paddling on the Mountain River begins! Once we camp, many hikes are possible in the spectacular upper Mountain River Valley. Our first small canyon gives us a real start to the excitement of the river.

 The next section of the river starts with easy paddling through swifts and a few small rapids. Further down the river are the moonscape hike and Tufa Mounds where there are opportunities for hikes into these unusual geological features.

 Cache Creek is a camp with opportunities to hike, fish and photograph and the start of a series of five canyons that feature high cliffs and exciting whitewater runs. Cache Creek Canyon is a beautiful and not difficult paddle. Battleship Rock Canyon and U-Turn Canyon offer almost consistent wavy rapids and standing waves. The entrance to Switchback Canyon offers a challenge as it turns sharply right leading down to a series of broad turns that at the end takes paddlers out of the mountain regions of the river. Swift current and small waves keep the canoes moving all the way down to Hot Spring Canyon where quiet water takes us into the Mackenzie lowlands. The current gradually slows as we pass through the flats down to the Mackenzie River to our last camp.

DAY 13

Return to Canoe North Adventures Outfitting Centre and final night dinner celebrations.

DEPARTURE

Travellers will depart Norman Wells the day after their expedition ends. Inquire about extended travel beyond Norman Wells.