Renown for dramatic mountain valleys and glaciers, the Alsek River is a wilderness treatsure. Unlike the lower reaches of the Alsek River, this upper portion of this wilderness treasure is ideal for canoeing. The Alsek River features glaciers, icebergs, excellent wildlife viewing and an exciting helicopter flight out. You will enjoy hiking up Goat Herd Mountain and canoeingthrough a combination of lakes, swift moving flat water and some fun Class II rapids and in so doing, you will join the elite ranks of the very few people who have canoed this river. The helicopter flight home ranks as one of the top flightseeing trips of a lifetime! Novice canoeists welcome!
Craft Description: Canoe
Prerequisites: None. Beginners welcome!
Available Dates
Rate Details
CAD: $4,955 - plus $50 Park Fee
USD: $4,956 *fluxuates daily - (includes Park Fee)
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.9902
Additional Alsek River Trip Notes:Pre-and post-trip accommodation is your responsibility –the cost is not included in the trip fee. We have attached a list of Whitehorse hotels and are happy to assist you in making reservations if you wish.
Renowned for dramatic mountain valleys and glaciers, the Alsek is a wilderness treasure. The Alsek is extraordinarily different from the Tatshenshini which is only “one valley over”. Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife, and a helicopter flight out, add to the adventure. Unlike the lower reaches of the river, this upper portion may be canoed. You will enjoy a combination of lakes, swift moving flat water and some fun class II rapids. You will join the elite ranks of a very few people who have canoed this river.
The following is a tentative itinerary and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the trip, while making time on other sections. You guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of water and weather conditions.
The following initials indicate the meals included each day:
Breakfast = B | Lunch = L | Dinner = D
Day 0
Your journey north from your home will be a refreshing departure. You will fly over the largest expanse of wilderness in the world with stunning views on cloudless days, pass through quieter and friendlier airports, meet friendlier and less harried service personnel and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
The scheduled flights arrive in Whitehorse throughout the day. Aim to arrive by 6pm. The guides will be making final preparations. Please make your way to your hotel and plan to rendezvous with your guides in the lobby of the Westmark Klondike Inn at 8pm for an orientation meeting. There will be a chance for last-minute questions concerning clothing, gear, packing and other details.
Whitehorse is a great place to spend a few extra days and there are local day hikes, gold panning float trips through Miles Canyon and 4X4 outings in the region.
Day 1 (L/D) YUKON HISTORY
We will meet in the hotel lobby at 8am following breakfast (not covered) and we will embark Alaska Highway. Along the way we will visit the Kluane National Park Interpretive Centre. (The bakery across the road is legendary for its goodies so keep your wallet handy.) We then drive a short distance to the Dezadeash River bridge, where we prepare our canoes and enjoy a lunch.
With time to make final adjustments to your pack, the guides will introduce you to the finer points of the day’s journey. Here on the edge of Kluane National Park you embark on a gentle piece of river, winding through the broad valley, as it flows into Alsek Pass. Camp will be in the majestic surroundings of this valley. Keen eyes may spot Dall sheep and mountain goats grazing on the slopes.
Day 2 & 3 (B/L/D) GEOGRAPHICAL WONDER
Embarking early in the morning we will find that the river is very slow moving for the first few miles, but after the confluence with the swift Kaskawulsh River, the resulting swift moving river is named Alsek. A hike from the river yields a dramatic view and the evidence of recently spectacular historic geological events in the valley. In the late half of the 1800’s the Alsek was entirely bridged by a sudden movement of the Lowell glacier. The resulting lake backed up over an area of hundreds of square miles, even flooding the current town site of Haines Junction. The ice dam remained for a few years until it was finally broached by the river and in a cataclysmic event the valley below was flushed by a flow of gargantuan proportion. Within minutes, the river volume swelled from a trickle to the equivalent of the massive Amazon. Native history tells of villages that were decimated by the floodwaters. When we travel the river today we see scarring and other effluvial remains that tell the story of the monstrous hydrological event. If we watch the shoreline closely we may be rewarded with views of grizzlies and camp will afford a spectacular view of the valley.
Day 4 & 5 (B/L/D) GLACIERS AND BERGS
The river continues to gain volume and speed and brings us to another visual treat. Camp will be on Lowell lake where we will see Lowell Glacier – the first of the many glaciers that come right down to the river. The face of the glacier actively “calves” huge bergs of ice into the lake with thunderous roars. Camping here for two nights we take the opportunity to hike up Goat Heard Mountain for panoramic views of the ice fields including some of the tallest peaks of the St Elias Range – Kennedy, Alverstone and Hubbard. Of course mountain goats, Dall sheep and other flora and fauna vie for our attention.
Of course, a major highlight is the opportunity to paddle among the ice bergs. Remembering that less then 1/10 of the berg shows above the water, we keep a respectful distance from the behemoths, and wait for spectacular displays when they fracture and roll!
Day 6 (B/L) PANORAMA FROM A HELICOPTER
The never ending drama of the trip continues to unfold as a helicopter arrives at our camp to begin ferrying our group homeward. The panoramic flight will rival any mountain flight imaginable. Flying though Kluane National Park, over vast expanses of glaciers and rugged ranges, this is truly a major highlight of the trip.
The aircraft lands at a rendezvous point on the Haines highway where our van will meet us. Once the crew is assembled, we make the two hour drive back to Whitehorse to hotels and showers. Later, the group may want to gather at a local eating establishment (not included). Whitehorse is a lively town and it will not be difficult to discover a way to enjoy the evening.
Day 7 HOMEWARD BOUND
After goodbyes and a last look around Whitehorse, we will head for home with a cargo of fond and spectacular memories.