A multi-day trip on the Mountain River in the Northwest Territories had been on my mind for years after some friends completed it, in canoes in the mid-2000s. It came to fruition in the summer of 2025 with a group of rafters, IK’s, a canoe, and some packrafts.
On the first couple of days, we spent our time moving gear with a specially rigged wheelbarrow, carrying it approximately 700m from the lake to the riverside. This was a bit of a challenge, but we managed to get a lot of the crucial stuff near the riverbank before the clients arrived.
Once we got all the gear, people, and boats moved to the edge of the river and rigged up, it was time to get on the water. The Mountain River is a good-length trip, with 320 km to cover from Dusty Lake to its confluence with the Mackenzie River. That first day on the water, though, was a short one. We had plans to make more distance later in the trip. Just being on the water felt so good. The flotilla was underway.
The river was amazing, and we would be paddling and moving for quite some time each day. There were constant times of scouring the river for different animals. A couple of bears were spotted. The rainstorms in the afternoon that approached camp on most days, the rainbows, and the light.
As we made our way downriver, we had tasty food at camps and river stops along the way for the clients.
Rowing and travelling down the river provided some excellent camping opportunities. One of the favorites was camping at the entrance to Canyon 3. One of the six canyons you go through on this trip.
A few images of fossils, waterfalls, and river systems on our layover day at Cache Creek. The Tufa Waterfalls are a truly amazing spot.
Some pics of people and teamwork on the Mountain River trip with Chase Yak’eula, Will Ginther, Colin Bunge, and Alex Bunge. Such amazing times as we traversed 343km through the Sahtu Dene Country.
A few of the amazing spots along the river
Northwright Air arriving for the pick up on the McKenzie River.
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