Firth River: Alaska, Canada; Ivvavik National Park, Beaufort Sea

Explore with us the Firth River, deep in Canada’s north and a hidden jewel. Firth River country, where the mountains of northwestern North America reach the Arctic Ocean, lies deep within the northern Yukon and adjacent to Alaska.

The area surrounding the Firth is a land of contrasts - forest and tundra, craggy peaks and alpine meadows, wild coastline and ice-filled seas. Wildlife roams unimpeded here with a diversity unrivalled elsewhere in Canada. Barren-ground caribou, mountain sheep, moose, muskoxen, grizzly bears, wolves and wolverines, as well as a wide variety of bird species all make their homes in this arctic habitat. In the long sunlit days of our northern summer we will travel and explore by raft and canoe. Our guides, full of knowledge and enthusiasm for this area, will help us better understand the geology and wildlife we encounter adding to a fascinating journey through the wild and remote landscape.

Ivvavik National Park
The region surrounding the Firth River on the Arctic slope was designated Ivvavik National Park in 1984. This designation was timely as there had been a number of major industrial development proposals for the area. The last proposal - the Arctic Gas Pipeline - was rejected by the government of Canada after the Berger Inquiry of 1977. Justice Thomas Berger eloquently wrote:

Porcupine Caribou Herd
We will traverse this exceptional area by rafting the Firth River from the British Mountains to the Beaufort Sea, following the Arctic coast to the old whaling community of Herschel Island. This section of the Yukon has been recognized by Parks Canada as "an area of spectacular scenery and exceptional ecological significance," one of the many reasons being the importance of the area to the Porcupine Caribou herd. Close to 20,000 animals migrate through this area to and from their calving grounds on the coastal plain of Alaska and the Yukon. After calving in June, they start to congregate in huge herds and migrate westward, crossing the Firth River. At this time, the migration provides a spectacle that is unsurpassed in North America. Occasionally our passage down the river coincides with this migration and we will stop to watch this amazing sight. At this time of year much of the vegetation is in bloom and wild flowers carpet the tundra and hillsides. Different types of vegetation landscape a patchwork quality.

Firth River Journey
We fly from Inuvik, N.W.T. via Twin Otter and Cessna 185 floatplane for about 255 kilometres (160 mi) into the upper Firth, an area surrounded by craggy peaks. Floating north, we move into open park-like terrain composed of rolling dry tundra and small spruce groves in valley bottoms. This area provides both excellent walking and good opportunities for seeing not only caribou but also wolf, moose and grizzly. The river flows in a broad gravel bed before entrenching itself into a 40 km (25 mi) long canyon, the walls of which are home for nesting birds of prey. On reaching the coastal plain, it braids before entering a lagoon that offers protection from the Arctic Ocean. The lagoon is protected from the open ocean by a series of islands and a long shingle spit. We will be picked up on the spit and flown to Pauline Cove on the east end of Herschel Island. From there we will fly along the Beaufort Coast, over the Mackenzie Delta and back to Inuvik. If weather and ice conditions on the coast permit, we may alternatively travel by boat to Pauline Cove. This stretch of Arctic coast teems with bird life as well as with marine mammal life, such as bearded and ringed seals and beluga and bowhead whales. The island itself provides nesting habitat for a number of interesting species of birds. Herschel is also renowned for its profuse and colorful display of wild flowers during the month of July. The island was designated a territorial park by the Yukon Government several years ago in an effort to protect its unique natural and cultural history. Pauline Cove, at the east end of the island, is a National Historic Site. It was home for up to 2,000 Caucasian and Inuit whalers in the 1880s and a number of the old buildings and grave sites are still standing. In addition, the remnants of the Thule Inuit culture found swept up on the shingle beaches are evidence of an older cultural history.

Fishing on the Firth River
Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling are both abundant on the Firth. If you are intending to fish, you will need to obtain a national park fishing licence from the National Parks office in Inuvik.

Weather on the Firth River
Weather in the region is typically good, with clear skies and temperatures that range from 10 -30 degree C (50 - 86 degree F). Weather changes can however, plunge temperatures to near freezing and rainfall and snow may occur. The Beaufort Sea pack - ice creates fog that can very easily blow on to the coast, limiting flying conditions. This is the Arctic and an Arctic climate is never predictable, even in the summer. Come prepared for all extremes and just note that this can impact our timetables and travel plans.

About Those Arctic Bugs
The Arctic has a reputation for its prolific insect life (notably mosquitoes) and it is well-deserved! Contending with the constant hum of mosquitoes becomes part of the experience! Dry windy days keep these pesky critters at bay but humid weather incites them into frenzied activity. These little beasts are most prolific during late June and the month of July. A bug jacket or at least a head net is strongly recommended for these times.

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.
Nahanni River Adventures.