Burnside River, Nunavut, Canada: Rafting, Canoeing, Arctic Circle

The Burnside River is a classic tundra river flowing into the Arctic Ocean at Bathurst Inlet. Isolated and rugged, the Burnside River offers easy Class I and II whitewater and top wildlife viewing including sightings of caribou, muskox, grizzly and wolves, rough-legged hawks, golden eagles, gyrfalcons and the occasional arctic wolf.

The Burnside River crosses the Arctic Circle and the landscape is dramatic, with rolling tundra punctuated by narrow canyons, waterfalls and sandy beaches perfect for side hikes. Views of the spectacular Burnside Canyon is a highlight of all Burnside River trips and paddling trips are timed to coincide with the historic Bathurst Caribou migration.

History of the Burnside
The Burnside area has been well used by the Inuit for many years. Their passage through this area is marked by the numerous archaeological sites along the river. Tent rings and graves can be seen at several locations. The most important known site is on the tiny Island of Nadlak, located just downstream from Kathawachaga Lake. “Nadlak” in Inuktituk means, 'place where the deer cross'. Here in the summer of 1985 and 1986, the National Museum of Civilization unearthed more than 40,000 segments of caribou antlers that formed the framework for several winter homes used by a semi-permanent group of Copper Inuit. These people were driven south from the Arctic Ocean during the mini-ice age that took place between the early 1500's and the 1800's. Needles and tools, more common to the Dene people who lived south of the tree line, were also found at the site, leading the archaeologists to conclude that the Dene had some sort of trading system in place. After the cold spell, it is believed that the Inuit returned to Bathurst Inlet. Today, there are only about 25 people living in the community of Bathurst Inlet and another 60 at Bay Chimo, 100 kilometres to the north.

Sir John Franklin explored the area in 1821 and 1822. With a party of 20 men, he travelled along the river, naming Belanger rapids after one of his crew. It wasn't until 1920 that a permanent settlement was established at Bathurst Inlet. In that year, the explorer Charles Klengenburg wintered his crew and schooner at the Inlet. Fourteen years later the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) established a trading post there and later, in 1929, the community eventually grew around a mineral exploration site established in this area. In 1964, the HBC pulled out of Bathurst Inlet Lodge.

The Inuit families living in the Burnside community today have chosen an isolated and traditional way of life. In the summer months, the community, in conjunction with Tricia and Glen Warner from Yellowknife, operate Bathurst Inlet Lodge. The lodge is well known world wide as a naturalist's retreat.

Geography of the Burnside
The Burnside originates at Contwoyto Lake. It then flows across the Contwoyto Plateau which rises out of the Precambrian Shield. This plateau has an average elevation of 460 metres (1500 feet) and is characterized by granite boulder till mixed with sand. Eskers are very common features on this rolling landscape. The hills above the river valley provide impressive views of the surrounding countryside. Near the ocean, the Burnside enters the Wilberforce Hills region, characterized by deep river valleys, spectacular cliffs and canyons. This is especially evident along the final few kilometres of the river.

Weather on the Burnside
One of the most important factors influencing any canoe trip is the weather. Nowhere is this more true than on the barren lands. Here the weather can change very quickly and high winds whipping across hundreds of miles of flat landscape can create extremely dangerous paddling conditions in a very short time. This can be especially true on big lakes such as Contwoyto or Kathawachaga. Winds are also funnelled along the river valley causing poor travelling conditions. Because of this, we have scheduled extra days in our trip itinerary.

Be prepared on a Burnside canoe trip for a wide range of weather conditions. The weather on the tundra can present us with a never ending challenge. Summer weather in the area may vary from intense, round-the-clock hot sun to foggy windy cool days, enhanced further by rain, sleet and even snow. The mean daily maximum temperature during the summer months is approximately 15°C (60F), but temperatures ranging into the 20's (80F) or down to 0°C (32F) and below may occur at any time. Precipitation is light - less than 250mm/yr (10 inches) -with much of this falling as rain during the spring and summer. Our clothing list in 'The Details' package takes all of these conditions into account.

Flora and Fauna
The Burnside flows entirely through the tundra. Because this area is a zone of continuous permafrost, the tallest plants, dwarf willow and alder, are rarely more than a metre high (3 feet). Several varieties of lichen and moss carpet the ground along with species of wild flowers and berries. The variety and number of wild flowers in the Burnside valley is vast, numbering more than 125 different common and showy plants found along the river.

In terms of wildlife, Musk oxen and caribou are the two most commonly seen animals along the Burnside River. The Bathurst caribou herd, which numbers over 300,000 animals, crosses the river on its way to and from its calving grounds along the east side of Bathurst Inlet around the Elise River. Huge numbers of caribou often follow along the river in late June or early July. Wolves, which follow the herd, may be seen along the river and there are many good denning sites in the area. Learn about the Porcupine Caribou herd by visiting the Porcupine Caribou Herd Satellite Collar Project where you can monitor the progress of ten caribou who are radio collared and tracked by satellite. An amazing feature that records a remarkable phenomenon.

Grizzly bears are also seen along the river. Caution is advised in this regard when hiking or camping. We carry both bear spray and a shotgun. Although we have had many bear sightings over the years, we have never had to use either deterrent. Wolverines, foxes, Arctic hares, Arctic ground squirrels and several other small mammals are also found. In the Wilberforce Hills region there are many birds of prey. Notably, peregrine and gyrfalcon, as well as golden eagles and rough-legged hawks. These magnificent birds make their nests on the rocky cliffs along the river.

Arctic char, lake trout, arctic grayling and whitefish are found in both the river and the lakes. We try as much as possible to use 'pinch' or barbless hooks and carefully release most of the fish we catch. Remember to purchase your Nunavut fishing license in Yellowknife before we leave.

Burnside River Reading List

Your guides will carry a small reference library that will include field reference books. Following are some books for winter reading:

Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea in the years 1819,20,21 & 22 By Sir John Franklin, M.G. Hurtig, Edmonton, 1971.
Narrative of a second expedition to the shores of the Polar Sea in the Years 1825, 1826 & 1827 By Sir John Franklin, M.G. Hurtig, Edmonton, 1971.
Summer North of Sixty: by Paddle and Portage Across the Barren Lands By James Raffan, Key Porter Books, Toronto, 1990.
Caribou of the Barren Lands By George Calef. Canadian Arctic Resources Committee. Firefly Books. Scarborough, Ont. 1981.
The Incredible Eskimo By DeCoccoa & King. Hancock House, Surrey, BC. 1986.
The Muskox of Polar Bear Pass By David R. Grey, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Markham, ON, 1987.
Barrenland Beauties. Showy Plants of the Arctic Coast Page Burt. Outcrop, Yellowknife, NWT., 1991.
A Naturalists Guide to the Arctic By E.C. Chris Pielou. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Field guides of the Birds, Flowers and Mammals are carried by your Guide/Naturalists for your enjoyment. You are welcome to read and use these throughout the expedition.

Nahanni River Adventures, Nahanni offers exceptional expeditions by raft and canoe on the great rivers from Alaska to Nunavut including: South Nahanni River, Tatshenshini River, Alsek River, Firth River, Snake River, Wind River, Stikine River, Burnside River, Coppermine River, Horton River, Mountain River, Yukon River, Taku River, Gataga River and Sea Kayaking and whale watching at Point Adolphus, Alaska, over-looking Glacier Bay National Park.

Our expeditions encompass Nahanni National Park (South Nahanni River), Kluane National Park (Alsek River), Ivvavik National Park (Firth River), Glacier Bay National Park (Alsek River), Herschel Island Territorial Park (Firth River).

Nahanni River Adventures operates in Alaska (United States of America), Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and British Columbia (Canada).

Nahanni.com is the online presence of the company, Nahanni River Adventures Ltd.

Nahanni River Adventures works with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to ensure the environmental integrity of our wild places.

Neil Hartling, founder of Nahanni River Adventures, is also the author of: Nahanni, River of Gold...River of Dreams. Alaska to Nunavut - The Great Rivers. Nahanni River Guide. These books may all be purchased through Nahanni.com.

Common misspellings of the name are Nahani, Nahannie, Nahanie, Nahoni, Nahonni.
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