Pelly River Canoe Adventure

The Pelly River follows the Tintina Trench, a major geological fault and travel corridor for migratory birds. It offers great variety and abundance of plant and animal life typical of boreal forest. With the Anvil Range to the north and the Glenlyon Range to the south, mountain vistas are spectacular, offering glassing opportunity for Stone sheep. Grizzly bears and black bears are plentiful. Granite Canyon, Little Fish Hook Rapids and Big Fish Hook Rapids can be challenging for novice paddlers depending upon water levels. First visited by Robert Campbell in 1840, the Pelly River led Hudson Bay Company traders into the Yukon to establish Fort Selkirk at the confluence of the Pelly and Yukon rivers.

Our Pelly River canoe trip begins in Faro, Yukon and ends at Pelly Crossing. The terrain is characterized by rolling uplands, worn down mountains, broad valleys, all evidence of the last great ice age. To the south are younger, higher, craggy mountains. Imagine canoeing down the historic Pelly River on a professionally guided canoe trip adventure through the very places where the Klondike Gold rush took place over 100 years ago. Explore the remnants of many of the original log cabins, buildings and paddlewheelers that still dot her wilderness shoreline from the days of the goldrushers.

The Pelly River is a relatively wide river with good current, quite often we can stow away the paddles, raft up and relax for a while. However, there is never really a chance to become bored. Every once in awhile, we will encounter sections on the Pelly River which require quite a bit of maneuvering as there are three rapids that are easily negotiated. This is a land deeply infused with a rich and colourful history that still supports a healthy population of muskrat, beaver, fox, wolf, bear, eagle, trumpeter swan, and moose and spectacular Canadian wilderness.

History
The Pelly River was first explored by Robert Campbell, a Canadian fur trader and explorer, for the Hudson Bay Company in 1840. He set up trading posts along the Pelly River with the best known of these being Fort Selkirk. As we canoe the Pelly River, we will be experiencing a landscape that has seen little physical change since Campbell’s epic 1840 journey.

Experience
The Pelly River is fast flowing but manageable for most paddlers. Some rapids, that are more fun than dangerous, will satisfy the adrenalin minded. Campsites along the shore and river islands, and wilderness scenery, provide the sense of isolation and Yukon grandness that have drawn past travelers of adventure and economy, and that continue to excite paddlers to this day.


Pelly River Canoe Trip - Itinerary

Whitehorse
Arrival in Whitehorse. We will meet in the evening to discuss the adventure ahead, distribute life jackets and dry bags, and answer last minute questions.

Canoeing the Pelly River
We will leave early in the morning for a 4 hour drive to the town of Faro and our put-in. From Faro to Pelly Crossing, the river follows the Tintina Trench, a major geological fault and travel corridor for migratory birds. It offers great variety and abundance of plant and animal life typical of boreal forest. With the Anvil Range to the north and the Glenlyon Range to the south, mountain vistas are spectacular, offering glassing opportunity for Stone sheep. Bears can often be viewed on the open grass slopes. You'll also have opportunities for world-class fishing. Surrounded by beautiful mountain views, you'll camp in tents and eat by campfires under the midnight sun. Granite Canyon and Fish Hook Rapids can be challenging for novice paddlers depending upon water levels, but should provide no navigable problems in July/August.

Return to Whitehorse
Our paddling adventure ends in Pelly Crossing, where the Klondike Highway crosses the Pelly River. Our shuttle van takes us back to Whitehorse.