Yukon Territory - North/Black/Liard River
Trip Parameters      click to close this second window

Location: Near Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada, on the Alaska Highway.
Trip Length: 160 miles (260km), North Lake to the Alaska Highway.
Days recommended: 10-14 (7 minimum).
Portages: Two (minimum), 1@800 yds/m, 1@400 yds/m, plus a few log jams.
Fly-in trip: Yes, must land on North Lake, Fire Lake, or Black Lake.
Fly out: Could, but it's an easy, though long, paddle to the Alaska Highway Bridge.
Whitewater: 30 mi/50 km of class 2-3+, small, continuous, tight, and long, steep sections in upper stretches. Also a short class 4 canyon, and a class 5 waterfall.
Flatwater: Short stretches above the Liard River, and all 93 miles (150 km) of the Liard is flat.
Current: Usually quite fast whole trip (4-8 mph, 6.5-13 kph).
Season: Put in late June, or early July at the latest, otherwise there may be insufficient water in upper North River.
Scenery: Very good, and varied.
Fishing: Good for arctic grayling, lake trout.
Wildlife: We saw many moose and caribou in upper parts, plus birds, bear, beaver (and mosquitoes).
Climate: Low rainfall area (but, you WILL get some).
Temperatures: Below freezing at night in headwater lakes, highs can be 85+°F (30°C), average about 65°F (18°C) in daytime.
Closest Airports: Watson Lake and Whitehorse, YT.

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Revised: 15 November, 2002
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