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You can spend years on the Nahanni and not fully do everything it has to offer! The hiking is outstanding, and the river views are astonishing. My personal favorite spot is Dead mans Valley! The white water can get big, no your limits and get local knowledge. That being said there are several different options for routes and they are as follows:
Nahanni classic
Number of days: 14 or longer
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. Over 900 4th canyon and Georges riffle get huge. I have seen the aftermath of swims (lost canoes and gear) in 4th canyon, it is along unpleasant place to have a swim.
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule allows for 1 day at Gahnhthah (Rabbit Kettle), 2 night at the falls and 1 rest day on the lower (I prefer no rest day bellow the falls rather slower and shorter days)
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites
Route overview:
From Rabbit Kettle to the falls is relatively flat (there is one or two rapids that can trip up an unsuspecting canoeist) , in fact the last day before the falls is very flat, with little to no camping. Make sure to plan accordingly, you would not be the first or last to arrive at the falls at midnight. The hiking is also not very good. Around the falls there are two classic hikes: Sunblood Mountain and Marango creek falls. Start early and bring lots of water! I tend to avoid that hike on clear hot days. Marango has little to no trail so bring a GPS.
The good hiking is down stream of the falls. Depending on how much time you have budgeted for your trip will depend on how much time you can spend hiking. A few classics are: The Gate, Dry Canyon creek and Lafferty's riffle .
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. Over 900 4th canyon and Georges riffle get huge. I have seen the aftermath of swims (lost canoes and gear) in 4th canyon, it is along unpleasant place to have a swim.
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule allows for 1 day at Gahnhthah (Rabbit Kettle), 2 night at the falls and 1 rest day on the lower (I prefer no rest day bellow the falls rather slower and shorter days)
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites
Route overview:
From Rabbit Kettle to the falls is relatively flat (there is one or two rapids that can trip up an unsuspecting canoeist) , in fact the last day before the falls is very flat, with little to no camping. Make sure to plan accordingly, you would not be the first or last to arrive at the falls at midnight. The hiking is also not very good. Around the falls there are two classic hikes: Sunblood Mountain and Marango creek falls. Start early and bring lots of water! I tend to avoid that hike on clear hot days. Marango has little to no trail so bring a GPS.
The good hiking is down stream of the falls. Depending on how much time you have budgeted for your trip will depend on how much time you can spend hiking. A few classics are: The Gate, Dry Canyon creek and Lafferty's riffle .
Nahanni Short
Number of days: 10 or longer
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. Over 900 4th canyon and Georges riffle get huge. I have seen the aftermath of swims (lost canoes and gear) in 4th canyon, it is along unpleasant place to have a swim.
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule allows 2 night at the falls and 1 rest day on the lower (I prefer no rest day bellow the falls rather slower and shorter days)
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience the Nahanni in a shorter time frame, or spend more time hiking in the lower canyons. Around the falls there are two classic hikes: Sunblood Mountain and Marango creek falls. Start early and bring lots of water! I tend to avoid that hike on clear hot days. Marango has little to no trail so bring a GPS.
The good hiking is down stream of the falls. Depending on how much time you have budgeted for your trip will depend on how much time you can spend hiking. A few classics are: The Gate, Dry Canyon creek and Lafferty's riffle .
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. Over 900 4th canyon and Georges riffle get huge. I have seen the aftermath of swims (lost canoes and gear) in 4th canyon, it is along unpleasant place to have a swim.
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule allows 2 night at the falls and 1 rest day on the lower (I prefer no rest day bellow the falls rather slower and shorter days)
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience the Nahanni in a shorter time frame, or spend more time hiking in the lower canyons. Around the falls there are two classic hikes: Sunblood Mountain and Marango creek falls. Start early and bring lots of water! I tend to avoid that hike on clear hot days. Marango has little to no trail so bring a GPS.
The good hiking is down stream of the falls. Depending on how much time you have budgeted for your trip will depend on how much time you can spend hiking. A few classics are: The Gate, Dry Canyon creek and Lafferty's riffle .
Nahanni Flat(ish)
Number of days: 10 or longer
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. As this is a route best for those looking for less white water, the lower the better
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule doesn't include a night at the falls but 1 rest day at Rabbit Kettle
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites.
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience the Nahanni with minimal rapids. It is not totally flat, there are rapids that get much smaller and as the water drops. If you are interested in extending your trip there is the optional add on (I recommend 4 days) to hike to Glacier lake and the Cirque of the Unclimbables.
Water Level: Low to medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July to September, June to the start of July tends to be higher
Gauge: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=10EB001
Some useful information regarding levels:
Having done the Nahanni quite a few times here are my thoughts on levels
bellow 300 cms is low flow. 300 to 600 is medium and 600 to 900 is high. As this is a route best for those looking for less white water, the lower the better
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule doesn't include a night at the falls but 1 rest day at Rabbit Kettle
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites.
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience the Nahanni with minimal rapids. It is not totally flat, there are rapids that get much smaller and as the water drops. If you are interested in extending your trip there is the optional add on (I recommend 4 days) to hike to Glacier lake and the Cirque of the Unclimbables.
Broken Skull/ Nahanni
Number of days: 14 or longer
Water Level: medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July, You want water, but not too much water
Gauge: There is no gauge for the Broken Skull
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule doesn't include a night at the falls but 1 rest day at Rabbit Kettle and one on the Broken Skull
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites.
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience of the the many fabled white water tributaries of the Nahanni. Put in is at Divide lake, take out at Rabbit Kettle or the Falls. The white water is generally class 2 with a few harder ones sprinkled in. Watch out for Swallow falls, the only portage on the Broken Skull. If you are interested in extending your trip there is the optional add on (I recommend 4 days) to hike to Glacier lake and the Cirque of the Unclimbables.
Water Level: medium is preferable, at high water 4th canyon gets HUGE!
Trip Dates: July, You want water, but not too much water
Gauge: There is no gauge for the Broken Skull
General weather: It is the mountains you should be prepared for rain and snow. Generally July is warmer than August.
Pace of trip: Depends on the the group but generally most days are reasonable (around 6 hours on the water including lunch). The schedule doesn't include a night at the falls but 1 rest day at Rabbit Kettle and one on the Broken Skull
Campsites: Most site are on raised benches above the river, there are a few established sites.
Route overview:
This schedule allows you to experience of the the many fabled white water tributaries of the Nahanni. Put in is at Divide lake, take out at Rabbit Kettle or the Falls. The white water is generally class 2 with a few harder ones sprinkled in. Watch out for Swallow falls, the only portage on the Broken Skull. If you are interested in extending your trip there is the optional add on (I recommend 4 days) to hike to Glacier lake and the Cirque of the Unclimbables.