Arrival in Whitehorse, transfer to hotel. Meet guide(s) and other members of the group. We check over all personal equipment to make sure everyone is properly equipped and prepared. In the evening dinner and discussion with your guide(s) of the tour itinerary for the following 11 days.

After an early breakfast we load up all equipment and drive (approx 650 km) from Whitehorse to the small hamlet of Dease Lake along the isolated Cassier and Alaska Highways. We arrive by late evening and camp on the shores of Dease Lake.

After breakfast we start our first day of canoe training on the lake. We spend a full day learning basic canoeing skills. After some instruction and theory, we spend the day practicing on the crystal blue waters of Dease Lake. Everyone will learn and improve their flatwater paddling skills by playing various games and performing various activities. In the evening we return to our camp and the crackling of the camp fire.

We continue our journey (approx 110 km) from Dease Lake to the small hamlet of Telegraph Creek. Telegraph Creek is the staging point for our canoe trip. We pack all necessary equipment to start our eight-day adventure. Today is our first day on the river. We put in below Telegraph Creek. Here the water flows gently as we are able to practice some additional canoeing maneuvers. Our journey begins by passing Mount Glenora and the old town site of Glenora, which in 1898 housed up to 5000 people. We also pass the “Three Sisters,” three impressive rampart rock formations jutting out of the river. Our goal for the day is Helveker Creek. Here we set up camp. The evening is spent cooking on an open fire, enjoying the sound of the river and taking in the atmosphere of the Stikine.

Today the Stikine begins to split and braid onto different currents, and finding the main channel becomes our biggest obstacle. Along the way we may pass Steamboat Channel (the site of an old steam boat wreak). Today we also pass through two small canyon sections, the Klootchman and Little Canyon. Our goal for the day is to camp somewhere below Little Canyon.

As we continue our journey, the Stikine proceeds to braid considerably after Scud River. We are rewarded with frequent views of the surrounding mountain peaks. The surrounding climate and vegetation slowly begins to change as we move closer into the coastal ranges. Our goal for the day is to camp close to the Anuk River.

Our destination today is to camp near the “Great Glacier.” To reach it we must paddle up a side arm just downstream of the Choquette River, which brings us to Outwash Lake and the foot of the massif “Great Glacier.” A short side tour at Choquette River is possible to explore the Fowler Warm Springs. At 27 degrees they provide an opportunity to bath at low water level. We camp at Outwash Lake for two nights to provide the opportunity to explore the area.

A full day to explore the “Great Glacier.” A trail from our campsite gives us the opportunity to hike to the glacier. We hike through lush forest up to the foot of the glacier and with luck witness large pieces of ice breaking and crashing into the lake. Hiking opportunities in the area are ample.

Today we continue our river trip. As we cross from Canada into the United States we now have only approximately 50 km left until we reach the mouth of the Stikine and Wrangell Bay. In late afternoon we arrive at Chief Shakes Hotsprings. After enjoying a soak, we continue a few more kilometers and camp just below the hotsprings. Options include a short paddle up a side arm to Shakes Lake, scattered with icebergs, Castle Mountain towering in the background.

Today marks the last day of our river trip. As we paddle the remaining 25 to 30 km of the river, the Stikine finally opens into its Pacific delta. Another 8 km of paddling across Wrangell Bay brings us to the small town of Wrangell. Here we camp and are rewarded with warm showers and a good meal.

Return trip by boat or plane to Telegraph Creek. Everything must be transported back to Telegraph Creek as there is no road access to Wrangell. Once back in Telegraph Creek we unload and repack our gear. Tonight we stay at the comfy and cozy Stikine River Song Bed & Breakfast.

We make the approximately 650 km return trip to Whitehorse. Up the Cassier Highway, we take our time through this isolated wilderness, stopping to take pictures. We arrive back in Whitehorse by early evening. After checking into our hotel, we celebrate the adventure of the past 11 days with a good dinner.