Snake River: Duo Lake to Fort McPherson (14 days / 581 km)

The Snake River is a beautiful river the flows between Yukon and The Northwest Territories, eventually emptying into to Peel River. Over the course of ~500 km, canoeists are treated to glacial blue water, exciting rapids, rolling mountains and towering canyons, and wildlife opportunities.

In 2017 four friends embarked on their first river trip together, with the hopes to make a music video for their musical band called “Half Way to Reckless.”  All four of us are wilderness guides, with two being Canadian females and the other two American males. All of us were ready for a break after a crazy season of guiding in Alaska. We were paddling in an Esquif Canyon and an Esquif Pocket Canyon. We had a great time, took some good band photos and did some singing. However, nothing came out of it except deeper friendships and an unforgettable trip.  

Trip Summary

Starting Point: Duo Lake

Ending Point: Fort McPherson 

Total Distance: 278 km on the Snake + 203 km on the Peel = 581 km Total

Duration: 14 days

Difficulty: Advanced (mostly Class II with 2 Class III sections)

Location

The Snake River is one of 8 navigable rivers in the Peel Watershed. The Peel Watershed is one of the largest untouched watersheds in the world.  It is located in the traditional lands of the Tetl’it Gwich’in and Nacho Nyak Dun. 

There has been an ongoing battle to Protect the Peel, and in 2019 a new land-based plan was signed by the Yukon Government, the Yukon First Nations of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr'ondek Hwëch'in and Vuntut Gwitchin, as well as the Gwich'in Tribal Council of the Northwest Territories.

More information can be found here and at Protect the Peel.ca

Maps & Resource

Guidebook: Wild Rivers of the Yukon’s Peel Watershed, A Traveller’s Guide by Juri Peepre and Sarah Locke

Map: Topographic Maps (1:250,00) 

Snake to Taco Bar

106C- Nadaleen River 

106F- Snake River 

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