Our Thelon trips are Class II & III (remote), and are suitable for all ages in moderate physical condition.

click here to view
Thelon route map!

Following shortly after spring ice breakup, this Class II paddle begins on the tundra of the Dubawnt 'Highlands'. From here we follow the beautiful deep-cut valley of the Clarke River with its many side-canyons with peregrine & gyrfalcon nests. We will then meet the majestic Thelon River at its canyon, and follow it past Wardens Grove, Grassy Island, Hornby & Lookout Points, Usus Islands, and to end at the historically-rich Inuit area of the Beverly Lake 15 days later. TThere we will be picked up bty chartered aircraft, and flown to the tradtional Inuit settlement of Baker Lake, Nunavut - and the end of this remarkable expediton!

This trip is timed for the most likely chance to meet the cows and calves of the Beverly caribou herd as they migrate south from their calving grounds. We will likely encounter tundra white wolves during their den cycle, with lots of birding opportunities too for nesting shorebirds and raptors such as peregrine & gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawk, bald  & golden eagle.

To begin this unique adventure, participants must make their way to Yellowknife - the capital city of the Canadian Northwest Territories - and then onward to the remote Chipewayan Dene' Aboriginal settlement of Lutsel K'e, located on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake - an area soon slated to become Canada's newest and largest National Park! 

This region is steeped in aboriginal & early explorer history, and perhaps you will have the chance to meet and spend time with some of the native elders who once traveled this remote country by dogsled and canoe...3

  Over the first 3-4 river days, we will paddle from the 'Dubawnt Highlands' down the beautiful Clarke River, with its incredible side canyons, sandy eskers and wildlife. While descending the Clarke, we will follow the gradual slope of the Thelon Valley. Then we meet the Thelon River at bits canyon with intense sandstone cliffs, riddled with falcon and cliff swallow nests. 

The next few days will bring us past several significant historical sites, including 'Wardens Grove' the original cabin, and the 'Dukesite'.  A few miles downstream brings us to 'The Gap', where we will visit a major Dene' archaeological site, and observe the progress of golden eagles nests. 

It is from this area near Grassy Island, where hikers in the group will have the option to take a day trip hike (9 km.) to visit the incredible gorge cut by the Hanbury River at Dickson Canyon. Further down the river we will pass the recovery site of the Cosmos 952 Russian satellite, which fell from the sky here in 1978.

Another day downstream brings us to a hidden waterfall, and cairns marking winter travel from eons past. We will then visit the haunting cabin ruins and grave site of the ill-fated John Hornby party, whom all perished here by slow starvation in the long winter of 1927. 

The Beverly caribou migration - click photo to enlarge!

Throughout the first week of this most remarkable journey, we will encounter several Dene' archaeological sites  that date back thousands of years. You can often find remnants of stone tools and spear points lying on the ground, left behind by the nomadic people who used to travel this region on hunting forays. 

The upper section of the Thelon, and it's side streams, offer excellent fishing for lake trout, Arctic grayling and northern pike! 

The second week of the trip will bring us around the Big Bend and Muskox Pingo. This stretch of river has several traditional water crossings of the Beverly caribou as they leave their calving grounds to the North. Weather and schedule permitting, we will spend a day of rest at Lookout Point, another famous caribou water crossing that has been used by both Dene' and Inuit hunters. We will have the opportunity to investigate many of their old encampments. 

We will paddle through the Ursus Islands and the confluence of the Tammarvi River, a traditional site where the Inuit traveled hundreds of miles for thousands of years to obtain tent poles from the last stands of stunted spruce tree growth, and then follow along the last stretch of river to Beverly Lake. 

From here we will will leave the canoes behind, picked up by chartered aircraft, and flown to Baker Laker, Nunavut. This marks the end of what will, without a doubt, be one of the most incredible trips of your life! 

The entire paddling length of this river expedition is 165 river miles / 270 river kilometres - class II, with no portages. As the river moves along at 3-4 knots, we can often cover our 10-12 mile days in the mornings, leaving us plenty of time for exploring, relaxing and fishing. This trip is suitable for all ages in moderate physical condition.  There are no portages on this trip...just some minor lining on the Clarke River. The entire trip is within the boundaries of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary - and it's simply the best!

Click here to view route map!

Traveling in quality Old Town canoes, join us on a special class II & Class III water adventure on a small group expedition to paddle the incredible waters of the remote, little-explored upper Thelon River. We will begin this special expedition with a 235 air mile floatplane charter flight from Yellowknife, NWT to our wildlife camp on Whitefish Lake - the headwaters of the Thelon River. Here participants will meet with their trip leaders and equipment, and begin a truly remarkable two-week - paddle down the upper Thelon River - the most remote and least explored section of the Thelon River system!

Here, at our main staging camp, participants will meet with their trip leaders and equipment. We will spend the rest of the day and night here in comfort for a thorough trip briefing and orientation hike.  

The following morning - weather permitting - we will be transported by boat down to the Thelon River outlet of Whitefish Lake, and our first river camp on the remarkable esker of Lynx Creek. From there we will begin our canoe expedition.

Over the next 5 days, we will paddle from the down the beautiful and intimate upper Thelon River, with its incredible tundra vistas, sandy eskers, fishing and wildlife. While descending the Thelon we will follow the gradual slope of the upper Thelon highlands.

Then we will negotiate our only major portage - the extraordinary Thelon Falls, where the river cascades 15 meters (30 ft) into the rift of the Thelon valley. A few km downstream we meet the beautiful Elk River & Granite Falls, where we will visit and camp.

 The next few days will bring us past several significant historical sites, including 'Innu hunting blinds of Jim Lake Junction. Ten miles downstream brings us to 'Double-Barrel Lake' where we will visit a major Dene' archaeological site, camp and hike the magnificent eskers in this area. This is the ending place of our trip.

 Throughout this most remarkable journey, we will encounter several Dene' Native archaeological sites that date back thousands of years. You may find remnants of stone tools and spear points lying on the ground, left behind by the nomadic people who used to travel this region on hunting forays, and we will have the opportunity to investigate many of their old encampments.  The upper section of the Thelon and it's side streams offer excellent fishing for lake trout, Arctic grayling and northern pike. 

The upper river has several traditional water crossings used by the Beverly caribou herd as they leave their calving grounds to the North, and mix with the waiting bulls during the last summer grazing & mixing period in August. Also on this route, sightings are common for tundra wolves, moose and musk-oxen herds. 

Click here to obtain our bird list (in PDF)

At Double-Barrel Lake the floatplane (weather permitting) will meet us late on the last evening of the trip and fly the 200 airmiles back to civilization at Lutsel K'e. This marks the end of what will, without a doubt, be one of the most incredible trips of your life!

Arctic Dawn - The Journeys of Samuel Hearne:

JB Tyrrell's Expeditions

Ted's Keresote's 1996 Sports Afield Magazine article about his 1998 Thelon River trip

Dave Huffman's 2001 photo essay of his Thelon River trip

Rolf & Debra Kraiker's 1996 Thelon River trip

Tundra-Treeline Paddle on the Snowdrift River

Expeditions Plus! Wilderness Outfitters offers canoe rental air charters & logistical support in Yellowknife