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

Following shortly after spring ice breakup, this Class II un-guided portion of this paddle begins on the tundra of the Dubawnt 'Highlands'. From here you 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, to join your guides at the boundary to Nunavut. The trip then continues through Usus Islands, and to end at the historically-rich Inuit area of the Beverly Lake 15 days later. There you will be picked up bty chartered aircraft, and flown to the tradtional Inuit settlement of Baker Lake, Nunavut - and the end of this remarkable expedition!

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.

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

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Paddling the Clarke River

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 you to a hidden waterfall, and cairns marking winter travel from eons past. You can 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, you 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 Dene' and the who used to travel this region on hunting forays, and numerous sites of the Akilinirmiut Inuit people who once lived along the lower Thelon River, and still hunt & fish there to this day.

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A bull musk-ox grazing in willows along Thelon

The Thelon River and it's sidestreams offer excellent fishing for lake trout, Arctic grayling and northern pike! 

Our qualified guides will join you on the second section of this trip, which 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, you 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 then 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 you will will leave the canoes behind, picked up by chartered aircraft or boat, and taken out to Baker Lake, Nunavut. This marks the end of what will, without a doubt, be one of the most incredible river trips of your life! 

Check out our new mini-movie on-line:

Floatplane lands to pick-up paddlers on the Thelon River

The entire paddling length of this river expedition is 165 river miles / 270 river kilometres - class II. As the river moves along at 3-4 knots, you can often cover our 10-12 mile days in the mornings, leaving you 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!

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Arctic Dawn - The Journeys of Samuel Hearne:

1928: William Hoare and the Thelon Game Sanctuary

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

Craig Walker's Thelon River trip

Now on-line! Conde Nast Traveler controversial article 'Diamonds in the Wild', about the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary and the potential future effects of diamond and mineral exploration in our last great North American wilderness. Click here!