|
 |
|
| NAHANNIWILD.COM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CANOEING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| RAFTING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SELF GUIDED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BAJA KAYAK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SKI TOURING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CONTACT |
|
NAHANNI
WILDERNESS
ADVENTURE LTD
969A Lawrence Grassi Ridge
Canmore, Alberta
Canada T1W 3C3
1-888-897-5223
PHONE
1-403-678-3374
FAX
1-403-609-2042
e-mail
|
|
|
NAHANNI - 22 DAYS FROM MOOSE PONDS |
|
Trip Itinerary
 Day 17 - Day 22 |
|
Day 1: Rendezvous at the Fort Nelson airport upon arrival of the Central Mountain Air’s flight from Edmonton.
|
| |
| Those who drove to Fort Nelsoncan leave their vehicles at the airport for the duration of the trip. Following introductions we will load the van and canoe trailer. Our route to theAlaska Hwy will take us through town where we will shop for additional food and items. Our route to the headwaters of the Nahanni takes us west through the NE corner of the Rocky Mountains. The landscape has a rugged beauty of all its own. We will make sightseeing stops at Stone Mountain and stop at Munch Lake Provincial Park for the night. From the van we are sure to see stone sheep and mountain caribou along the way.
|
| Day 2:Following breakfast your guides will organize a half day whitewater skills session starting on the lake and then proceed down the exciting class 2/3 Trout River. A short drive from the takeout is the Liard Hot Springs where we will enjoy a meal and a relaxing soak. Back on the road again we’ll drive to Watson Lake and walk through the historic Sign Post Forest. At Watson Lake, Yukon we drive north on the Robert Campbell Highway and then onto the Nahanni Range Road for our detour back into the NWT and our base on Flat Lake. |
Day 3-8: Weather permitting we will fly this morning into the Moose Ponds.
Our flight takes us north along the divide between the Yukon and the NWT. From the plane we will be amazed with the remarkable views of the Logan and Selwyn Ranges. Our destination is the picturesque ponds at the base of Mount Wilson which provide a delightful venue for our first camp on the Nahanni River.
The Moose Ponds provides an opportunity to explore the alpine country of the continental divide between the Yukon and Northwest Territories. This land is rich in wildlife such as moose, caribou and trumpeter swans. An optional hike up Mount Wilson may be planned. Leaving the Moose Ponds, we join the Nahanni flowing as a stream; just over a canoe length in width. Over the next 40 km the Nahanni swells to a formidable river, tumbling through the boulder strewn "Rock Gardens". This stretch offers some of the best whitewater canoeing in the country. |
| Day 9-10: Paddling on, the down River view is blocked by the massif of the Ragged Range. Popular stops are the Island Lakes, Moore's cabin and Moore's Hot Spring. Paddling through "The Gap" we pass the east flank of the soaring Vampire Peaks and on towards Nahanni National Park with a stop at Rabbitkettle Lake on day 9.
|
Day 11-14:Planned activities include an interpretive hike led by a Nahanni National Park warden, to explore Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds. We then begin down river canoeing to Virginia Falls. This easy flowing section of the river is dominated by U -shaped valleys which were scoured out by advancing cordilleran glaciers thousands of years ago. In this section the river meanders 120 km (72 mi.) to Virginia Falls where we arrive on day 12. Everyone will appreciate a rest day at Virginia Falls. At over 90 m (300 ft.) Virginia Falls is twice the height of Niagara, and is the spectacular centerpiece of Nahanni National Park. The options for these days are many - you can lounge in the group camp area, explore the falls with your camera, or strike off on an invigorating hike to the grassy summit of Sunblood Mountain. Virginia Falls is a fascinating place to discover.
Following our layover day, we complete the 1.25 km portage around the Falls and reload our canoes. For the following week we will immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the lower Nahanni River. The lower Nahanni is canyon country and is often described as the Grand Canyon of the North. Beginning with Painted Canyon, so named because of its brightly coloured walls, you will experience the thrill and excitement of this whitewater section. On this night we will camp in the vicinity of the confluence with the Flat River.
|
| Day 15:Downstream we enter Third Canyon with its imposing 1200 m walls formed as the Nahanni has carved its way through the Funeral Range. We will camp in the shadow of the Gate; where the river has sliced a narrow chasm on the apex of a hairpin meander. An optional hike to the top of the Gate presents magnificent views of the river valley with imposing Pulpit Rock 460 m below.
|
Day 16: Today finds us completing the 35 km Third Canyon and continuing on through 2nd Canyon, (15 km) where the Nahanni has carved its route through the Headless Range and into Deadmen Valley. This valley is known for its legend and mystery made famous by the mysterious deaths of the McLeod Brothers. Here the vista is noticeably different, as the valley opens up, with distant views of the Tlgotsho Plateau.Deadmen Valley offers an abundance of exploratory options. The massive Prairie Creek alluvial fan provides excellent camping, hiking and wildlife observations.
Day 17 - Day 22 |
 |
| NAHANNIWILD.COM | |
| | | |
 |
|
|
