Jackpine Paddle is 100% northern-owned. Explore the Canadian North on a guided expedition trip. Rent a canoe or kayak for a trip of your own. We would be happy to assist you in finding the trip of a lifetime whether it be herds of muskox, northern lights, true wilderness, or all of the above. Remember, Life is Better Outside!
Overview
Trip Highlights
- Most Remote Location on the North American Continent
- Open Tundra Views and Good Wildlife Viewing
- Wonderful Trip for Birds
- Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
- Many Archaeological Sites
Jackpine Paddle is 100% northern-owned. Explore the Canadian North on a guided expedition trip. Rent a canoe or kayak for a trip of your own. We would be happy to assist you in finding the trip of a lifetime whether it be herds of muskox, northern lights, true wilderness, or all of the above. Remember, Life is Better Outside!
Quick Facts
Paddlesport
- Canoeing
Activity
- Recreation
- Fishing
- Whitewater
- Expedition
- Lakewater Canoeing
- Canoe Tripping
Experience/Service
- Paddling Trip
Waterway
- Whitewater Class II
Destination
- North America
Length
- 12 Days
Accomodation
- Wilderness Camping
Guided
- Yes
Outfitted
- Fully
Special Interest
- Family
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
- Wilderness Gourmet
- Intermediate
Adventure Level
Itinerary
Meeting Place
Jackpine Paddle Base
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
This is a trip of a lifetime and true wilderness experience on the fabled Clarke and Thelon Rivers in the Northwest Territories.
Day 1:
We'll start this canoe trip on the Clarke River, where we will land in our float plane on Day 1.
Day 2:
During the evenings you'll have plenty of time to pursue your interests whether they be photography, fishing, hiking, birding, swimming or just taking a nap.
Day 3:
As we descend the Clarke River, we notice it's more like a mountain river than a barrenlands river. There are many Class I-II rapids that are fun to run.
Day 4:
The Clarke River flows through rugged, scenic country that just begs you to go exploring. The hiking is wonderful with panoramic vistas everywhere you look.
Day 5:
For the most part, the Clarke winds through a narrow, steep-sided valley with scattered clumps of spruce. Beyond the lip of the Clarke valley the tundra rolls on, seemingly forever.
Day 6:
Approaching the Clarke's junction with the Thelon, stands of spruce trees become larger and more frequent.
Day 7:
The Thelon is a big, shallow, clear-water river with a strong current but very few rapids. It's the largest river on the tundra, by far the easiest to canoe, and easily the most magnificent.
Day 8:
The country along the Thelon differs markedly from the Clarke. It's a much larger river in a much broader valley. The scale of the country is huge! You feel very small and insignificant in this big landscape that keeps changing every day.
Day 9:
The Thelon Oasis is legendary as a wildlife paradise, long known to Chipewyan Dene as "God's country" as "the birthplace of animals" and when the world as created as "the place where God began".
Day 10:
There are also many archaeological sites on the Clarke and Thelon rivers where ancient hunters waited for the Beverly caribou herd to cross these rivers on their summer migration.
Day 11:
We’ll also visit late in our trip John Hornby’s cabin, and graves. Hornby, his 18 year old nephew, and another young man died of starvation here in the winter of 1927. The three graves, marked by crosses, are beside the cabin.
Day 12:
Our float plane arrives around noon to take us back to Yellowknife. We say goodbye to this highly unique place of rich wildlife. Back in Yellowknife, we meet up for a farewell dinner and cold beers (after hot showers)!
Dates & Packages
Clarke River
What Guests Are Saying
Dan and PB led a wonderful expedition, guiding us through some harsh weather, spoiling us with their cooking, and overall doing the best possible job.
- Kurt & Family, USA | Clarke River ExpeditionLeave a review
Company Overview
By choosing to join a trip with us, you are supporting the local economy of the Northwest Territories. As the only northern-owned paddling outfitter offering arctic wilderness expeditions, we appreciate your support.
Learn More.jpg)
Company Overview
By choosing to join a trip with us, you are supporting the local economy of the Northwest Territories. As the only northern-owned paddling outfitter offering arctic wilderness expeditions, we appreciate your support.
Learn MoreOur Team
The North is a spectacular place to explore, so why not discover it with Northerners? We employ experienced guides who live in the Northwest Territories, with deep roots on our rivers and lakes. Based out of Yellowknife, NT, we know that when it comes to the North, there is no other place like it.
Learn More
Our Team
The North is a spectacular place to explore, so why not discover it with Northerners? We employ experienced guides who live in the Northwest Territories, with deep roots on our rivers and lakes. Based out of Yellowknife, NT, we know that when it comes to the North, there is no other place like it.
Learn MoreOur Services
We offer: - Fully Guided Expeditions - Rentals & Shuttles - Paddle Canada Courses - Youth Paddle Camps!
Learn More
Our Services
We offer: - Fully Guided Expeditions - Rentals & Shuttles - Paddle Canada Courses - Youth Paddle Camps!
Learn MoreCompany History
On March 2, 2019, after an eleven month battle with cancer, Alex Hall passed away peacefully at home in Fort Smith. Before Alex passed away, he handed the reins of Canoe Arctic Inc. to fellow northerner Dan Wong. For 2020 and beyond, Jackpine Paddle will proudly carry on the legacy of Canoe Arctic Inc. on the Thelon River and its major tributaries.
Learn More.jpg)
Company History
On March 2, 2019, after an eleven month battle with cancer, Alex Hall passed away peacefully at home in Fort Smith. Before Alex passed away, he handed the reins of Canoe Arctic Inc. to fellow northerner Dan Wong. For 2020 and beyond, Jackpine Paddle will proudly carry on the legacy of Canoe Arctic Inc. on the Thelon River and its major tributaries.
Learn More