Wind River Wilderness Sojourn > Detailed Itinerary
View a Point-form Version of this Itinerary
The Wind River is a classic Yukon river known for its stunning hiking opportunities, remote wilderness and gentle whitewater which makes it suitable for canoeists who understand the basics of whitewater navigation. With its scenic mountain flights at the beginning and end of this wilderness journey and several days set aside for day-hiking in the mountains, the Wind River is a complete wilderness experience.
Note: All meals included in this itinerary are listed as: ( B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner )
Day 0: WHITEHORSE, YUKON
Hopefully you enjoyed your travels and have arrived safely in Whitehorse, the capital city, nestled among Yukon wilderness.
Please arrive in Whitehorse in time for an orientation meeting at 8:30
pm the night before our departure. Guests are responsible for
accommodation and meals while in Whitehorse. Whitehorse is a splendid
little city and we recommend booking some additional time at either the
beginning or the end of your trip to see Whitehorse. If you wish to fish on your trip but, have not had a chance to purchase a Yukon fishing license, you should do so this evening. Your guides will let you know where they can be purchased.
Please Note: Often our guests choose to come to the Yukon several days early, or to depart several days after their wilderness vacation. Therefore we don't include accommodation in Whitehorse in order to provide flexibility for our guests. If you prefer, we can easily arrange your hotel accommodations in Whitehorse and add these details to your itinerary.
Day 1: FLOAT PLANE FLIGHT ( L, D)
Cabin Fever Adventures staff will
pick you up from your hotels starting at 7:00 am. Participants need to
have finished their breakfast (not included) by this time. Any final details will be
dealt with and we will depart by 8:00 am for a scenic 5-hour drive
north and then east to the town of Mayo. Here we will load our canoes,
gear and participants into an otter aircraft. Once in the air, we will
fly 137 km (85 miles) over remote and rugged Yukon wilderness landing
at McClusky Lake. The scenic flight is just the beginning of the beauty
that will unfold over the next two weeks. We will camp that night on
the shores of McClusky Lake, surrounded by mountain views.
Day 2: McCLUSKY CREEK (B, L, D)
Our
internal pace slows now as we relax from the hustle of travel and begin
to embrace “Yukon time” here in the land of the midnight sun: where
watches are optional and worries are few. In the morning we will review
our paddling skills on the lake and then after a short portage, we will
spend the afternoon, wading and lining our canoes down McClusky Creek
until reaching the confluence of the Wind River.
Day 3-10: WIND RIVER HIKE AND CANOE (B, L, D)
During
the next eight days we will descend the Wind River, stopping on at
least three occasions for day hikes into the alpine, likely in the
Upper Wind, Royal Mountain and Mount Deception areas. The Wind River is
a swift flowing river with a wide mountain valley offering spectacular
views of the surrounding mountains. Wildlife viewing opportunities
abound and we might see a grizzly bear, or a herd of caribou during our
hikes into the alpine areas surrounding the river.
Day 11: (B, L, D)
Today we will reach the lower Wind. The river slows a little and
the cliffs get taller as the confluence of the Peel River approaches.
Day 12: (B, L, D)
The
much larger Peel River joins us from the west, having already collected
the Heart and Blackstone rivers and now the Wind. As we paddle down the
Peel River it will also collect waters from the Bonnet Plume, flowing
in from the south.
Day 13: (B, L, D)
Peel River Canyon - This will be our final day of paddling, but we have saved some beautiful scenery for the finale. As we make our way down the Peel we will enter the spectacular Peel River Canyon, closing in upon us with its high walls and exciting class II-III standing waves. After our final splash of excitement we will descend the river to the Taco Bar; a place on the Peel River suitable to land a float plane. We will spend our last night camping on the river awaiting our pick-up and enjoying every last moment in the wilderness.
Day 14: (B, L)
This morning we will hear the hum of the engine as the otter circles and then lands on the river : both happy to be heading towards a hot shower and sad to be finishing what will have been an amazing river trip. We will be shuttled back to the town of Mayo by aircraft, with one last look from above at the Yukon’s amazing wilderness, and then drive the Klondike Highway south to Whitehorse. Depending on our appetite and our timing we will either stop to eat along the way or continue on to Whitehorse for dinner. Dinner and your hotel room on this day are not included. Often the group enjoys going out to dinner together one last time in Whitehorse.
Please Note: This trip operates in an expedition format and due to the variables of weather, and the needs and safety of the participants, Cabin Fever Adventures can not guarantee that the itinerary will proceed as listed above. The itinerary may be modified at the discretion of the guide.
Cabin Fever Adventures
expressly suggests that participants book at least one additional day
in the Yukon at the end of their trip to avoid problems associated with
delays such as, but not limited to:
- Delayed air charters (inclement weather, wild-fire smoke)
- Delayed transportation (mechanical breakdown, unsafe road conditions or closures)
- Delay of wilderness itinerary (inclement weather, wind-bound, injury, illness)
Cabin Fever Adventures can not be held responsible for any expenses you may incur associated with delays of our wilderness trips. Delays could be several days in length under severe circumstances.
What if this itinerary doesn’t quite fit your needs? Cabin Fever Adventures is more than willing to modify an itinerary to fit your needs. We can:
- Add time to the trip for greater leisure, fishing opportunities, photography etc.
- Some trips can be safely shortened in length of time, assuming clients are willing to expend more effort paddling, hiking or cycling as required by the itinerary.
- Some routes can be shortened in terms of distance.
- Combine this trip with other Yukon attractions and or wilderness activities. View Yukon-Wide Slideshow
- Book your hotel rooms (at a discount) for the night before and after you Cabin Fever Adventures vacation and add this to your bill.
