The Keele River is located southwest of Norman Wells in the Northwest Territories. A town of 800 inhabitants, it is situated on Dah Who, the MacKenzie River. The town truly does have operational oil wells! The Keele's headwaters originate in the MacKenzie Mountains near the Yukon border and its confluence is at the MacKenzie River between Fort Simpson and Norman Wells. Most of this river runs through towering mountain vistas with only the last two days running down to the lowlands of the MacKenzie Valley. This river served as a travel route for a few Klondike gold rushers and for Mountain Dene hunters who now live in Ross River or Fort Norman. There is also evidence that humans used this area 11,000 to 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.

We travel to Norman Wells through Edmonton and Yellowknife. Upon arrival, we are met by the air shuttle at the float dock for departure to the Keele River. The access point is an outfitter's cabin. It is located just below the confluence of the Natla and Keele Rivers in between the Delthore and Stelfox mountains in the Sayunei, "rocks of the big horn," and Tigonankweine, "backbone of the earth," ranges. A short paddle downstream will take us to our first campsite.
We will descend the Keele through spectacular mountain scenery. We have two layover days for hiking on the easily accessible alpine slopes. Wild flowers abound so be ready to identify the Mountain Avens, the Moss Campion and the Arctic Poppy in their whites and pink hues. This region is rich in beauty and wildlife. Camping will be on broad gravel bars chosen for their incredible views. Look out for those happy hours! Adventure awaits around every corner!

The Keele is wide and deep with high standing waves in places. It braids and narrows into chutes as it glides down a steep slope toward the MacKenzie River. It turns through spectacular mountain scapes with panorama views at every turn. At one point, a ten metre high pillar of limestone known as the "Flowerpot" rises out of the river to announce the short distance to the Ekwi River confluence. Further down the Twitya River joins the Keele where there is another outfitter's camp. The river grows larger as more and more tributaries enter. A Canadian Wildlife Service cabin sits at Nainlin Brook. Many of these tributaries, creeks and open river banks offer hiking opportunities.

There will be sightings of caribou, moose, eagles and most surely Dall sheep with great fishing for both arctic grayling and bull trout. We don't always plan for a fish dinner but often if we have fishermen in the group, grayling or trout can be added to tempt everyone's palate with a fresh fish dinner.

We are in the mountains until the second last day, when the river slows as it reaches the MacKenzie River. The mountains fall back from the river and there are many braids before the confluence. Red Dog Mountain is the last major land feature before the lowlands and it signifies the end of the river. We paddle down the Mackenzie River at this point to Tutlita and the beginning of a boat ride down the Mackenzie back to Norman We will do a night float on the MacKenzie if weather permits. On the final day, we take a motorboat shuttle to Norman Wells and our final night dinner.