The Wind River
12 days Canoeing in the Peel River Watershed
July 18 - 29, 2008
Description
The Wind River has its beginnings in the magnificent Wernecke Mountains, about 135 kms (85 mi) northeast of the small village of Mayo in the central Yukon.
It drains into the Peel River, 200 kms (120 mi) to the north, which in turn carries on to the mighty Mackenzie River and finally out to the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean.
We travel for 70 km (45 mi) on the Peel to reach our pickup site near the mouth of the Snake River. The Wind is a gorgeous Class 2 river, fast flowing, shallow and with
crystal clear waters. Moving water experience is highly recommended.
The broad sweeping valley of the Wind makes easy traveling for humans and wildlife alike. The Wind is home to both woodland caribou and moose, grizzly and black bears, as
well as Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines and other small fur-bearing animals. This river is rich in human history as well. First Nations people used this area for hundreds of
years, following the animals and the seasons. During the great Klondike goldrush of 1898, a group of about 80-100 stampeders were forced to spend the winter on the Wind River.
They created a temporary community which they dubbed Wind City. This river was also on the overland route between Fort McPherson and Dawson City. The Royal Canadian Mounted
Police used to make patrols between the two communities by dogteam, the last one of which perished within a couple of days travel of Ft. McPherson.
Today the Wind River valley is virtually uninhabited which makes it a great place to enjoy true wilderness.
 
The Wind River is one of three "jewels" featured in
Three Rivers : The Yukon's Great Boreal Wilderness.
Released by Harbour Publishing in 2005, this book celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Peel River watershed. It was produced to assist CPAWS Yukon's ongoing campaign to
protect the pristine wilderness of the Peel River watershed. The book incorporates the photographs, artwork and writing that resulted from the 2003 Three Rivers Journey,
organized and hosted by CPAWS, and guided by 2 Yukon wilderness guiding businesses - Sila Sojourns and Walden's Guiding & Outfitting. This Wind River trip is jointly offered
by those same companies.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
We´ll pick you up in Whitehorse at 11 a.m. for the drive to Mayo (about 5 hours). We´ll arrive in Mayo in late afternoon, after stopping for lunch along the way. We plan to camp at the floatplane base on the scenic Stewart River. just upstream from town.
Day 2
After breakfast we´ll fly by floatplane into McLusky Lake. It takes close to an hour in a Single Otter airplane, which can carry six people with gear, and three canoes per load. We may camp at McLusky Lake, and do some canoe practice on calm waters before launching our boats on the swift flowing river the following day. Alternatively, if we get into McClusky early enough in the day, we may choose to follow Day 3´s itinerary, and take a second lay over day down river, where we have access to good hiking country.
Day 3
We´ll portage from the lake to McLusky Creek and then line the loaded canoes down the creek to the Wind River. Our first camp is about 16 kms (10 mi) downstream. This stretch of water can be the most challenging with sweepers (trees hanging over the river) and log jams so we´ll need to be cautious. Our camp is located next to an open ridge that allows for an easy hike to view the mountains and the river beyond.
Day 4
The river slows down, making this a relaxing day of paddling to our camp near Bond Creek. You´ll enjoy the spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding Rackla and Wernecke Mountain ranges. The fishing is also excellent.
Day 5
We´ll canoe almost to the confluence of the Bear and Wind Rivers. The river picks up speed with some shallow braids, gravel bars and the occasional riffle. This will be a short day allowing us the chance for an afternoon hike to a nearby creek gorge and mineral lick. This is a good area to see Dall sheep and woodland caribou. Again our camp affords magnificent mountain vistas and tundra benches.
Day 6
The river speeds up again with riffles and shoots and occasional rock dodging. It´s an exciting section that´s a great chance to practice your canoeing skills. The crystal clear water gives you the impression you´re “flying’ over the gravel bars! Tonight we´ll spend at Crystal Camp.
Day 7
This is our layover day which means no canoeing – instead we´ll go hiking into the mountains for some breathtaking views of this broad river valley. During our hike we will discover fossils, quartz crystal and beautiful mountain meadows of wildflowers. We´ll stay at Crystal Camp again, enjoying the impressive presence of Royal Mountain.
Day 8
With the mountain ranges now behind us, the landscape gives way to spruce forests dotted with individual mountains belonging to the Illtyd Range. The river becomes extremely braided, requiring some manoeuvring and possibly lining. Keep an eye out for sheep, moose, bears and caribou here. We´ll camp where the Little Wind enters the Wind, picking up on the old trail of the Mounted Police.
Day 9
With the addition of the Little Wind River, the Wind becomes increases in size, becoming more braided. We´ll have lunch at Mount Deslauriers and then continue on past Mount Deception. We will camp just past an area of coal seams that are dumping coal into the river. This region is under threat of development for its deposits of oil, gas and coal.
Day 10
We´ll pass by the site of the historic Wind City. There is no trace left of the shacks that protected the would-be goldminers from the elements in 1898 – the river has taken it all away. We will also take time to hike up to a spectacular terraced waterfall. The Wind empties into the Peel today and we´ll continue on to make camp just below the mouth of the Bonnet Plume River, near the spectacular Peel Canyon. The Peel canyon is of historic and natural beauty and is a highlight of the trip.
Day 11
We´ll move on down the Peel River, passing the mouth of the Snake River and continuing on to “Taco Bar’ where we´ll camp for the night.
Day 12
The floatplane picks us up here today and we fly back to Mayo, over the region we´ve just covered by canoe. We´ll have lunch in Mayo and then drive back to Whitehorse.
****This itinerary may change slightly due to weather
or other unforeseen circumstances.***
NOTE: We usually spend between four to six hours per day in the canoes. We stop for lunch as well as take a couple of breaks during the day. Once in camp you will usually have time for other activities such as fishing, hiking, photography or just relaxing and enjoying the wonderful wilderness area we will be traveling through. We generally take our time through the scenic mountain section of the river and have longer days through the lowlands.
Price:
$4250 Can. plus 5% GST
To reserve a space we require a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 the balance due 30 days before the trip begins.
What's included?
- all transportation from Whitehorse and return (including float plane access into and out of the river)
- the services of 2 fully qualified guides
- all river gear, including lifejackets and safety equipment
- all group equipment including tents, cooking gear, first aid supplies and satellite phone
- all meals from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 12
What's Not?
- transportation to and from your home and Whitehorse
- personal belongings and equipment as per equipment list
- any accommodation or meals in Whitehorse
Topographical Information
We carry a full complement of maps with us but if you wish to have your own, the 1:250,000 scale maps you will want are Wind River (106E) and Nash Creek (106D). In Whitehorse,
maps can be purchased at Mac's Fireweed Books at 203 Main Street.
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