SNAKE RIVER-- The Snake River is a wild whitewater river with its headwaters high in Canada’s Yukon Territory. It flows 300 km to the north, dropping over 1,200 metres. Our trip starts as we land our float plane at Duo Lakes, ringed by awesome mountain peaks soaring to heights of over 2,700 metres. We will hike up one of these unnamed peaks then portage our gear to the river. In the upper stretches, the Snake is a broad, braided fan. At lower water levels, we will have to do some pulling over rocks and gravel, at higher levels it’s a fast class II stretch with lots of rock dodging. Downstream between a series of canyons the river is braided but deep and fast moving. Caribou and Dall’s sheep can be spotted.

One narrow canyon with a Class 3 rapid demands attention, but it can be navigated at most water levels. Finally we scout ‘Punch and Run’ Rapids. Depending on water levels and the group’s skill level it may be suitable to paddle. Near the Peel River a chartered bush plane lands to take us back to the town of Norman Wells. Awesome mountain scenery, fantastic day hikes and runnable whitewater make this is the perfect trip for an intermediate paddler.

Snake River Canoe Trip | Camping Trip | Hiking Trip