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
- Archaeological Sites
- Can't Get Anywhere More Remote
- Wildlife + Arctic Birds
- Eskers and Tundra Topography
- Dry, Sunny Climate
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
- River Running
Experience/Service
- Paddling Trip
Waterway
- Whitewater Class I
Destination
- North America
Length
- 8 Days or More
Accomodation
- Wilderness Camping
Guided
- Yes
Outfitted
- Fully
Special Interest
- Family
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
- Wilderness Gourmet
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Adventure Level
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Itinerary
Meeting Place
Jackpine Paddle Base
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Our guided Upper Thelon River canoe adventures offer a breathtaking wilderness experience!
Day 1:
We'll start this canoe trip on the Thelon River, where we will land in our float plane on Day 1.
Day 2:
The Thelon is a big, shallow, clear-water river. We'll be canoeing its upper reaches but, even here, it's a big river that is very wide.
Day 3:
The upper Thelon is easy to canoe because it's mostly fairly fast river with very few rapids.
Day 4:
Most of the lake paddling occurs on the first few days of the trip. For most of the trip, its swift-flowing river with only the occasional easy rapid.
Day 5:
The topography along our canoe route is hilly in most sections.
Day 6:
The landscape is very scenic and is dominated in place by several spectacular sandy eskers, up to 200 feet in height. These are some of the very largest eskers in the Barren Lands.
Day 7:
Spruce are most numerous in sandy areas, especially along the eskers, where some trees reach three feet in diameter and may be close to 1,000 years old.
Day 8:
We’ll look at stone caribou fences (used to funnel caribou to killing sites), tent rings, chipping stones, arrowheads and spear-points. On Day 8, we'll also arrive at "the Gap" and explore the historic Warden's Grove.
Day 9:
Birds of note include jaegers, merlins, bald eagles, osprey, many species of ducks, large numbers of moulting Canada geese, and several species of loons.
Day 10:
Bring sunscreen because Arctic summers may be short, but the Thelon enjoys some of the best summer weather in North America, thanks to it’s dry, sunny climate in this deep interior location.
Day 11:
We paddle out of the stunning and unique Eyeberry Lake near the end of our trip.
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
Thelon River
What Guests Are Saying
Very well done. All aspects of the trip were very well planned & carried out. Food was superb. Emma did an outstanding job as a guide. She & Dan were a terrific leadership team.
- Stuart S, USA | Upper Thelon 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