The Burnside River is a classic tundra river flowing into the Arctic Ocean. This river cuts through the lands of the northern regions of the newly-formed, Nunavut Territory. Fast, crystal-clear water, expansive tundra valleys and red-rocked canyons define it as a significant wilderness experience. It offers challenging whitewater and plenty of ridge-top hiking whether a short hike from a stopover or a major hike through the rolling tundra regions. Wildlife is plentiful including wolf, muskox, caribou, eagles, grizzly bears, peregrines and arctic fox. Fishing possibilities abound with arctic grayling, arctic char, and huge lake trout. The river crosses the Arctic Circle on its way north-by-northeast just near the Mara River confluence.

We access this river through Edmonton and Yellowknife. After arriving in Yellowknife, around noon, we do an equipment check and have lunch at the Wildcat Café before departing from the float dock to arrive at Kathawachaga Lake, our put-in-point. The next morning, we paddle up Kathawachaga Lake to the beginning of the river. The river drops a steep 500 metres from one end to the other creating a steady drop with good current and runnable rapids. Over its 250km course, the current quickens as the river continues with many Class II and Class III rapids which provides an enjoyable challenge for those who paddle this river.
On the way, we visit the prehistoric Nadloc Island site. The name means "the crossing place of the deer." The site was established by the Caribou Inuit 500 years ago. Inuit used the caribou antlers and hide to cover the stone tent rings that still have a prominent place on the site. The island is a nesting ground for gulls, terns, redpoles, loons, oldsquaws, geese and phalaropes.

Our first rapids, Bellanca Rapids have a great fishing hole as a reward. After cliffside campsite, it's downhill all the way with easy rapids and good chances for wildlife encounters that could include muskox, caribou, bear or arctic wolf. Upstream of the Mara confluence is a great spot for a hike up a 1000' ridge. The river picks up volume but most rapids can be boat scouted and be run on the inside bend where there's less flow and lots of eddies.

The Burnside's grand finale is the precipitous 6 kilometre canyon carved by Burnside Falls cutting through the Wilberforce Hills. The 3.4km portage is a challenge but the scenery rewards the hikers. From the top of this portage, the salt waters of Bathurst Inlet glint in the sun announcing the last descent toward the final paddle and the community of Bathurst Inlet. A campsite at the inlet awaits at the end of the portage with fantastic arctic char fishing. We'll have a chance to explore the falls. The inlet carves the coastline in from Coronation Gulf, the critical link in the search for the Northwest Passage.

Paddlers leave dreaming of the roller-coaster whitewater, the humbling scenery, the encounters with wildlife and the trophy lake trout, surely a trip of a lifetime! On our last day, we enter the salt waters of Bathurst Inlet and swing south out of the Burnside delta arriving at Bathurst Inlet Lodge. Fly out of Bathurst Inlet to Yellowknife.