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Upper Horton

Upper Horton RiverThe Upper Horton River is the most northerly flowing river in mainland Canada. Horton Lake is located 80 kms north of Great Bear Lake and 300kms northeast of Norman Wells in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories. It is 150kms east of Colville Lake, home to the Inuvialuit descendants of the Inuit and also overlapping the traditional hunting lands of the Hareskin Dene, the Athapaskan Indians who also frequented the area. The Horton is located on the sedimentary rock of the Continental Sub-Arctic of the Northern Interior Plains of the Mackenzie Lowlands

Upper Horton RiverWe will travel this river through some of the most vast and ancient lands in the north. The river’s most outstanding feature is the amount of wildlife that can be seen on its shores including caribou, arctic fox, muskoxen, wolves and bears. The eighty species of birds include peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, loons, ravens, eagles and ptarmigan. This clear, turquoise river is deep and swift running through rolling tundra with rock outcrops and cliffs. Fishing is good on the river with arctic grayling, inconnu, trout, and arctic char common in the eddies and where side creeks enter the river. The river is large but gentle flwoing through the tundra.

Hiking opportunities are common and the terrain is straightforward and easily accessible. Wild flowers and nesting birds are easy to spot. Parts of the river flow through banks with cliffs up to 50 feet in height. Just before arriving at the Whaleman River, there is an old Inuit camp made up of three tent rings and a stone fence.

Adventure Facts:

  • The Horton River, Northwest Territory
  • Horton Lake to Whaleman River
  • 293km, no portages, 13 days
  • Class II -  novice to intermediate
  • Upper Horton River Expedition: $6300

Day 1  - Arrive Norman Wells

  • Depart Edmonton or Yellowknife arriving Norman Wells. Met by Canoe North Adventures for flights into Horton Lake with North-Wright Airways weather permitting. Shuttle flies northeast over the tundra regions of the Sahtu with perhaps a view of a polygon and an opportunity to see this vast region from the air. Hiking is very good from this camp.

Day 2 to 11  -  Shuttle to Horton Lake

  • Horton Lake has a small entry creek into the Horton River. This region is a suitable place to experience the calm and quiet tundra beside a fairly large lake full of lake trout and arctic grayling. The river is a contemplative river that weaves sedately through this vast northern region with high banks of Devonian limestone that offers incredible hiking and striking, panoramic  vistas. The river is home to muskoxen and caribou offering paddlers a non-strenuous and not technically difficult river experience right down to the Whaleman River. Ample opportunities for photography, hiking and fishing abound.

Day 12  - Shuttle to Norman Wells

  • Shuttle pick up at Whaleman River to Norman Wells.

Day 13  -  Norman Wells

  • Depart Norman Wells: morning or afternoon flight