Canol Heritage Trail Exploratory Hike
At Canoe North, we are always intrigued with the prospect of a grand adventure – especially first-time adventures. The lure of the Canol Trail has tempted us for many years and so it was with great anticipation that we embarked on our first ever exploratory hike on the Canol Trail in August, 2009.
The Canol (Canadian Oil) Project commenced during WWII with the construction of a pipeline from Norman Wells through the rugged Mackenzie Mountains to an oil refinery in Whitehorse, Yukon. The project was abruptly cancelled when the war ended – many of the 1940’s trucks and equipment that were used during construction were simply abandoned in the field and later salvaged. Our group of eleven hikers flew to MacMillan pass at the NWT / Yukon border, the highest point of the Canol Trail and mile #222. Heading east, the trail winds through the unique alpine tundra region called the Mackenzie Barrens. Hundreds of caribou were on the move through this region, crossing the trail in close proximity to our group. Remnants of wooden bridges rose out of the wilderness at river crossings where we were forced to wade waist-deep through the frigid waters. At the Intga River, weathered buildings appeared like ghosts from the past. This was the site of Canol Pump Station #6 scattered with rusting trucks, fuel drums and shattered dreams.
As we entered Caribou Pass and the Ekwi River Valley, stunning mountain vistas filled our view. Fresh trout and arctic grayling supplemented our menu of dehydrated stews and pastas. Our seven day Canol Trail hike covered 65 rugged miles through an amazing mountain wilderness. Our oldest hiker, Edith Steinbeck (70 years) had one complaint – that the trip wasn’t long enough! Edith said after six days she was just getting loosened up and could have hiked for another week! My guess is that she’ll be back to hike another section of the trail in 2010. We ended the hike at Ramhead Outfitters Camp where we were treated to a hearty home-cooked meal and a bonus hike on horseback before returning to Norman Wells by North-Wright Twin Otter.
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