Experience the Beauty of a Northern Summer
Summer in the North is a quick but sublime season. The first of the ice begins melting in June, and by October the rivers are frozen up once more. This leaves us with a short but dramatic season to explore our northern waterways.
We run all our expeditions in the statistically best windows for weather and water levels. With each month bringing its own unique beauty, it can be hard to decide when to come!
June and Early July: Whitewater, Wildflowers and Mountain Goats
Our June and July trips travel down a quicksilver highway as winter finally releases its grasp in the alpine, sending melting snow tumbling down the mountain slopes and swelling the Upper Tatshenshini with rapids. It is an exhilarating time to travel by raft!
As the water recedes, the river banks erupt with wildflowers; the soft petals of dwarf fireweed (Chamerion latifolium – also known as River Beauty) stand in proud contrast to the stark sapphire blues of the glaciers above.
Another of our early summer favourites is the chance to view mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) as they gracefully leap among the granite ridges and cliffs in search of lichens, ferns and grasses to eat. Even if they can be hard to spot, clumps of their thick winter coats can be found snagged on the low brush in the alpine meadows, a sure reminder of the wilderness and vibrant wildlife populations that surround you.
Late July & Early August: Salmon, Eagles & Grizzlies
Late July and early August is a wildlife watcher’s dream: the season of salmon. The Tatshenshini is home to all five species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, Chum, Sockeye, Coho and Pink). As they return to their birthplace after their epic migrations from the Pacific Ocean, they draw in grizzly bears and bald eagles in their droves, creating an unforgettable display for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
One scene is etched into my memory: a tawny, female grizzly bear waiting patiently on the gravel bars below Monkey Wrench rapid. As she stared into the afternoon glare for the telltale flash of dinner, her cub clowned around in the shallows around her. It seemed keen to just splash about and displayed little curiosity in its mother’s solemn form. Looking away for just a second, I glanced back to see a silver, metre-long form writhing in her mouth. This certainly grabbed her cub’s attention – and highlighted the speed and agility of their mesmerising creatures!
Other iconic species – such as black bears, peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons – are also commonly spotted at this time of year, profiting from the bountiful harvest.
Wildflowers still bejewel the river banks and alpine meadows. Constant water levels see us in camp with plenty of time for an interpretive walk – or a riverside happy hour!
Late August: Fall Colours, Star Gazing and Northern Lights
By the end of August, the Tatshenshini has turned into a painter’s palette of auburn, crimson and gold. The river flows smooth and silent as the last of the salmon swim past the historic Southern Tutchone village of Nesketaheen. You might wake up with a light dusting over frost bejewelling your tent canvas; a sense of peace and fullness seems to fill the spruce forests and the lower river valley stands stark with the dark stone of the alpine towering over the valley.
Alsek Lake, a glacial amphitheatre where we camp for our final two nights, sits serenely below the tallest coastal mountain in the world, Mount Fairweather, as glaciers calve and crash in the background. The night skies are bookended by darkness once more; with its remote tranquility and absence of any light pollution, the Tatshenshini offers world class star gazing. With a clear night sky and a bit of luck, watching the northern lights dance over Alsek Lake’s towering icebergs creates an indelible finale to your journey through the northern wilderness.
So, when is the best time to raft the Tatshenshini?
With each month bringing its own unique experience, it depends on what you are seeking.
- June and early July: vibrant wildflower displays, exciting rapids and the magnetic energy of the Midnight Sun
- Late July and early August: peak wildlife viewing: salmon, eagles and grizzlies!
- Late August: quiet, reflective camps; fall colours and night skies
Whenever you come, each journey down the Tatshenshini reveals a different side to this extraordinary watershed. It is an incredible natural treasure that the more you learn about it, the more you fall in love with it.
Perhaps you have rafted it already – why not return to see what a different month has to offer?
Discovery the Timeless Beauty of the Tatshenshini
Browse trip dates, view a sample itinerary or get in touch with our Expedition Planning Team to start planning your river trip trip of a lifetime!
