Snake River – Whitewater, Wildlife & Hiking

Trip Length
12 day(s)

Craft
Canoe

Skill Level
Beginner

Rendezvous Point
Gold Rush Inn, Whitehorse, Yukon

Pricing
$9,675 (CAD) 5% GST

Inquire about this trip >

Paralleling the border of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, close to the Arctic Circle, the Snake River is one of the most remote northern rivers and offers superb mountain hiking and whitewater rafting and canoeing.

Trip Highlights

  • One of our most remote trips
  • The Snake is located in one of the last pristine wilderness regions outside of protected land
  • 12 river days

Trip Details

We paddle in two-person canoes  over 12 river days along this arctic mountain river for a distance of 300 kilometres (180 miles) with an elevation drop of 800 metres (2400 feet).

Flowing through the spectacular Bonnet Plume Range of the northern Yukon, the Snake River has become renowned for remote beauty, hiking and whitewater canoeing. Dall sheep, caribou, grizzly, wolf and moose are all possibilities for excellent wildlife viewing, with panoramic vistas guaranteed.

Located at the northern end of the Rocky and Mackenzie Mountain Chain, the Peel River Watershed is a spectacularly rugged region defined by the Peel, Ogilvie, Blackstone, Hart, Wind, Snake and Bonnet Plume rivers. One of Canada’s most striking and pristine mountain river watersheds, the Peel is the heart of a great mountain ecosystem with a long cultural history, free-ranging wildlife and a rugged northern beauty. Encompassing over 67,500 square kilometres, the Peel Watershed dwarfs more famous landscapes, such as Banff and Yellowstone national parks–in size, unspoiled splendor and ecological integrity.

Prerequisites

  • Canoe: Class II whitewater skills

Learn more about canoe trip prerequisites >

Photos

Videos

Trip Dates

July 19, 2024 - August 1, 2024 Book Now

11 Seats Available

July 19, 2025 - August 1, 2025 Book Now

11 Seats Available

Additional dates may be available, please inquire.

Itinerary

The following is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river, while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions.

Trip length: 12 river days
Meals included:
 Breakfast = B | Lunch = L | Dinner = D

Day 0 – ARRIVE IN WHITEHORSE

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.

This is the travel day. Please be in Whitehorse in time for an orientation meeting at the meeting point confirmed in your Welcome Aboard package at 6 p.m. Participants are responsible for hotel accommodation and meals while in Whitehorse.

Whitehorse is a great place to spend a few extra days.

Day 1 (L/D) MOUNTAIN FLIGHT

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 7:30 am. Following breakfast (not covered) we will make the scenic 5 hour drive to the “end of the road” at Mayo. Here we will transfer to float plane and fly the spectacular and remote 135 miles into Duo Lakes. This is truly a stunning region of the Yukon wilderness! Have your camera and plenty of film handy for the flight.

Day 2 (B/L/D) UPPER CANYONS

There is a 500m portage from Duo Lakes to the river.The current is swift. As we pass through the upper canyons we will encounter sharp bends and small rapids. Camp will be in the vicinity of Reptile Creek.  In this region the Snake is a broad braided fan and we may have to do some lining and dragging over gravel and rocks. Neoprene booties with tough soles or combined with sneakers will pay off here.

Day 3 (B/L/D) MOUNTAIN HIKING

From our base camp at the beautiful creek confluence we will hike up the local ridges for spectacular views of the surrounding ranges and four drainage basins. Here the red ridges and peaks offer unusual and enticing opportunities for exploration.

Day 4 (B/L/D) BONNET PLUME RANGE

Back on the river we will be treated to expanses of fireweed and mini canyons. The Bonnet Plume Range dominates the horizon with a good possibility of spotting Dall sheep, caribou and grizzly. After an exhilarating day of continuous Class II water, we will camp in view of the limestone peaks of Mount MacDonald. Glaciers dominate these peaks, and impressive panoramas are easily obtained from short hikes in the area.

Day 5 (B/L/D) MORE WHITEWATER

The canyon and more Class II rapids await.

Day 6 (B/L/D) ALPINE VALLEYS

Today we change river valleys! The Snake cuts through the mountain range in a fast, fun slalom ride. Camp is in our “new” valley.

Day 7 (B/L/D) MIDDLE CANYON

Here the river cuts through a short narrow canyon. At most water levels this is a class II run. A short portage is an option.

Day 8 (B/L/D) ALPINE HIKE

Conditions permitting, we’ll plan another hike in the dramatic range overlooking the valley.

Day 9 (B/L/D) LOWER CANYONS

Today we bid adieu to the mountains and enter an extended braided region of “Splits” as well as the lower canyons of the Snake. Moose, bear, wolves and peregrine falcon are possible here. The current remains fast and picking our channel in the “Snake Maze” is our main challenge.

Day 10 (B/L/D) PEREGRINE FALCONS

The Splits finally come together and the Snake starts to meander a bit. Higher cliffs cut by numerous small creeks provide numerous wildlife corridors.

Day 11 (B/L/D) PEEL RIVER

We will leave the Snake and the final big bends from which it earns its name. Here we enter the larger and faster Peel River with high clay cliffs and aspen islands. Camp will be on the Peel.

Day 12 (B/L) ANOTHER DRAMATIC FLIGHT

In the morning we will be met by the aircraft that will ferry us back to Mayo. There we will be met by our van and travel the Klondike Highway back to Whitehorse. Depending on timing the group may decide to stop for supper at a diner along the way or upon arrival in Whitehorse (supper and hotel not included). Camp will be in your hotel room in Whitehorse (your responsibility). If you have not eaten on the road, the group will likely want to gather at a local eatery (not included) to celebrate the return and recount tales of the adventure!

Day 13 HOMEWARD BOUND

After goodbyes and a last look around Whitehorse we will head home with a cargo of fond and spectacular memories.

Testimonials

Nahanni River Adventures is a truly professional operator with excellent guides, first rate equipment and great rivers to run.

- Wally Phillips, Philadelphia, PA

Would you like more information about this trip?

Provide your contact information and we will get back to you with a trip information package and will answer any questions you may have.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Other trips that might interest you

Coppermine River by Raft or Canoe

16 day(s)
Canoe, Raft
$13,925 (CAD)

Flowing to the Arctic Ocean, the Coppermine is famous for Gyrfalcons, Peregrine Falcons, Rough-legged Hawks, and eagles. Experience the wildlife and beauty of the "Land of the Midnight Sun.”

View Trip

Two Week Nahanni River Classic Whitewater Canoe Adventure

13 day(s)
Canoe
$9,595 (CAD)

A classic 14 day journey for the canoeing enthusiast. Enjoy hiking, wildlife, wildflowers, geology and history.

View Trip