The Teslin River runs through southeast, central Yukon. It is one of the most popular flatwater trips in the far north. Running through remote valleys and stunning mountain ranges, this river offers a blend of "quest for gold" history and down-to-earth wilderness experience. Paddling from Johnson's Crossing to Hootalinqua, we travel north by northwest to the Yukon River. Downstream awaits the Southern Tutchone village of Carmacks where we finish.

This river will give novice paddlers a safe, yet challenging experience. Remember, the Yukon asks you to step out of your comfort zone before she reveals her riches. The river also offers those with more paddling ability the genuine experience of being on a northern river with strong current and the dazzling expectation of discovery. And guess what! No portages!

The departure point is Whitehorse where there is time for a final equipment check, a gold rush dinner and an evening rest before leaving the next morning. The next day, we embark on a shuttle to Johnson's Crossing traveling southeast on the Alaskan Highway which gives us access to the Teslin River. It is a 184km paddle through an untouched wilderness that is sure to speak to your soul. The river is Class I with a few Class II swifts thrown in for excitement. During the 1890's, the Teslin was a route for the Klondike Gold Rush. There are old buildings and gold dredging equipment at several locations. When we are on the river, salmon might be spawning, having traveled 2000 miles up the Yukon River.

At its source, the river narrows from Teslin Lake. The old, interior mountains, the Big Salmon Range, appear on the horizon adding beautiful backdrops. If we are lucky, wildlife sightings will include moose, bear, caribou, wolverine, eagles, beavers and waterfowl. The river winds its way through valleys that welcome animals providing the required wetlands. If we are up on the occasional early morning or late evening, our "spotting" chances will be higher. Remember, at this time of year there is virtually twenty-four hour sunlight.
The Teslin is a large river that travels through absolutely beautiful areas. The campsites are quite incredible often located at the sight of a historic community or cabin. It has a good current which sweeps us down the river at a terrific rate causing some interesting eddy turns when trying to make camp!

Our trip on the Yukon River, starts at the confluence of the Teslin and Yukon by the abandoned Northwest Mounted Police post, Hootalinqua. This First Nation community was a supply point for miners up the Yukon into the early 1900s.The river has sandy banks and a substantial current that will move us quickly downstream for a further 195kms. At Little Salmon, a Southern Tutchone community, we will see Indian spirit houses. Our pullout point at Carmacks, on the Klondike Highway is a day and a half downstream. Once off the river, the rest of the day is designed to relax and reflect on the canoe trip experience and to head back to Whitehorse for a final night dinner celebration.