9-Day Anderson River

Description

Are your ready to explore and experience a pristine and untouched wilderness landscape? The Upper Anderson River offers a fantastic whitewater paddling experience unlike any other. Flowing deep into the Boreal Taiga Forest wilderness of the northern NWT, the Anderson River creates an arctic oasis that is teeming with life. Opportunities to see Caribou, Muskoxen and a vast array of bird life abound; not to mention the world class fishing for Inconnu, Whitefish, Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling. 4 Canyons that the Anderson has carved through the landscape are the highlight of the trip- providing big splashes and epic views. With only one short portage this river offers an intermediate or advanced paddler one of the best river trips in the north, and the short 8 or 9 day itinerary is a relaxed pace for this section of the Anderson.

Day 0	Arrive at the CNA Lodge & Outfitting Centre, and get ready for your departure to the river the next day!
Day 1	Fly to Ewariege Lake in the boreal taiga, that is connected to the Anderson via tributary river. Spend the afternoon fishing at the lake, before camping on a point at the lake with white sand beaches.
Day 2	Paddle and line the tributary river to the confluence with the Anderson River. Set up Camp, and then spend the afternoon hiking to a nearby ridge with a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Return to camp and enjoy the fantastic fishing at the confluence!
Day 3	Begin your descent of the Anderson. Explore the boreal Taiga Forest and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the banks. A day of flatwater warmup brings you to the mouth of Eagle Canyon- the first of the Anderson. Camp just downstream of the gate at a spectacular site.
Day 4	A layover day in Eagle Canyon allows you to explore the canyon rim by foot and peer downstream at the many rapids below. A whitesand beach along the river bank provides ample chances to relax and soak up this magical place.
Day 5	Navigating the challenging class 2-3 rapids of eagle canyon is an exhillerating rush! The Anderson provides many opportunities to scout or line the more difficult rapids, and this day of paddling is a highlight of the whole trip. The Limestone Canyon walls tower above the whitewater spray as you zip downstream. Camping is on a gravel bar where muskoxen often roam.
Day 6	"The best whitewater paddling day of my life" as quoted by one of our guests. Start the day by navigating some warmup class 2 before meeting the Ross River a few KM downstream. Bouyed by the Ross River's extra flow, Ross Canyon and Falcon Canyon provide excellent big but clean fun class 2-3 whitewater the whole way down, with lots of opportunities to stop and scout each rapid. Falcon Canyons walls rise up well over 100m above the river, and are exceptionally scenic! Camping is in the heart of Falcon Canyon below a limestone mesa.
Day 7	A layover day to truly soak in this special place. Hiking back up the canyon we get a birds eye view of the area we paddled through the day before.
Day 8	The grand finale, Airweave Canyon, does not dissapoint. Providing the biggest (but still clean and fun) class 3 rapids of the trip, it is a perfect way to send off your epic journey down this special river. Camping is on a beach on the river side of the takeout.
Day 9	After a short 500m portage to the takeout lake from the river, its time to head back to civilization. the float plane lands and whisks you back to Norman Wells for a final night celebration!

Trip Details

Description

Photos

Itinerary

Canoe North Adventures