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Bonnet Plume

bonnet1The Bonnet Plume was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1998. It is part of the Peel River Basin in the northern Yukon. Access to its headwaters at Bonnet Plume Lake is through Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. The river is known for its Mackenzie Mountain scenery, great hiking opportunities and its challenging whitewater. There are several small canyons on the river with significant waves, chutes and sharp corners.

The Bonnet Plume is one of the destination rivers of the north known for good wildlife sightings, broad open camp sites, access to alpine slopes and northern vistas. The valleys and slopes are full of northern flowers adding colour to the mosses and lichens that cover the land. The river offers some of the most incredible expanses of wilderness and gracious mountain slopes in the north. Its reputation as a northern jewel of a river is well deserved although the river is not for the faint of heart.

Bonnet Plume

Running out of the Mackenzie Mountains north of the tree line, this river finishes at the Peel and Snake River confluence close to the Arctic Circle where there is a mixture of tundra, alpine grasslands, and sparse aspen and spruce forests. The  paddle down the Peel River to the confluence of the Snake is full of beautiful scenery that is a fitting end to a great trip. The air shuttle pick up is at the Taco bar just past the Snake River.

 

 

Adventure Facts:

  • Bonnet Plume Lake to Peel/ Snake Confluence
  • Distance: 500km, several portages, 13 days
  • Difficulty: Class III – intermediate to advanced

Arrive Norman Wells

We recommend that travellers arrive in Norman Wells the day before they embark on their expedition.

Day 1 - Depart for Bonnet Plume Lake

  • Depart Float Base in Twin Otter or Porter. Shuttle into Bonnet Plume Lake.

Day 2 -  Bonnet Plume Lake

  • First day spent hiking in this beautiful region. Fishing for grayling is good in the lake. Time to get organized for departure on the river the next day.

Day 3 to 10 - Embark on Bonnet Plume

  • The river exits the lake through a narrow outlet with fast current running over gravel and the first small canyon offers some low level whitewater. Over the next few days, the river offers a variety of challenges and canyons with some Class III and IV rapids. All rapids can be portaged. As the valley opens up there is some braiding with easily identified channels. Hiking is good through most of this section of the river and more time is spent here than later in the trip. Several days are spent in a valley where there are large gravel flats. Scenery is still spectacular although it takes patience to wind through this area. The mountains along this stretch of river are impressive even more so than ones earlier on the trip.

Day 11 - Peel Confluence

  • The confluence with the Peel is quiet with the Bonnet Plume slowly merging into this larger river. The Peel offers some dramatic scenery and a canyon with incredible geological features where fast water and bouncy waves offer fun.

Day 12 -  Snake Confluence

  • Arrive at the Taco bar on the Peel just past the Snake confluence. Camp overnight.

Day 13 - Shuttle to Norman Wells

  • Shuttle back to Norman Wells and overnight.

Depart Norman Wells