Did
you ever dream of canoeing and hiking in pristine wilderness? Have you
ever considered spending unforgettable days at a remote wilderness
lodge in the Canadian North? If you have, then you will want to be part
of this unique experience! Spend your days under the open sky on a lake
as smooth as glass. Hike, fish and canoe at your leisure with evenings
spent around a cozy campfire. Enjoy paddling the waters of an untouched
river. Hike above the treeline in the Logan Mountains where we can
encounter caribous, bears and eagles in their natural habitat. Learn
about wildlife and plants. Back at the lodge, enjoy the comfort of a
rustic life style: comfortable beds, shower, sauna and great meals are
a welcome change to the days in the bush.
ITINERARY:
Day 1:
We pick you up at the Whitehorse Airport and bring you into your
downtown hotel. Spend the remainder of the day as you like: go for a
relaxing stroll through the charming city or take the chance to go
shopping to complete your gear.
Day
2:
After breakfast we pick you up from the hotel and drive east along the
legendary Alaska Highway. Interesting stops are the Wildlife Museum in
Teslin, the Rancheria Falls and the Sign Post Forest or the Northern
Lights Center in Watson Lake. Then we continue on the Campbell Highway,
a good gravel road, north to Frances Lake. The last step is a 30-minute
boat ride to our wilderness lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, you'll be
shown to your cozy log cabin. Later, you will enjoy the welcome dinner
in the main building which boasts an incredible view of the Logan
Mountains. Thereafter you can relax in the bright and comfortable
living room with a well-stocked library and a small bar.
Day 3 - 4:
Early in the morning we will pack up and prepare for the exciting
30-minute flight by floatplane to McPherson Lake. Here we will camp for
two nights on a sandy beach where we will explore our surroundings and
practice the paddling strokes you will need to know on the river. From
this camp we can often watch moose, caribou, trumpeter swans and bald
eagles.
Day
5 - 6:
Well versed in the use of our canoes, we will begin our trip down the
Yusezyu River. This river is exciting, but without the dangers of a
large and fast flowing river. Nevertheless, we'll have to look out for
sweepers, rocks and shallow spots. On a gravel bar along the river we
will pitch our tents for the night and try our luck in angling. The
river gets easier in the lower section which is also home to moose,
beaver, otter and waterfowl. The last night we will camp on a
Riviera-style beach at the north end of Frances Lake.
Day 7:
short two hour paddle down the most northern part of the lake will
bring us to the prearranged meeting point, from where we will be picked
up by the lodge boat. In about an hour we will arrive back at Frances
Lake Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy the comforts of your cabin as well as take
advantage of the shower, sauna and a soft bed - not to mention our
great home-cooked meals!
Day 8 - 10:
For three days you can relax at the lodge, participate in guided
excursions, go fishing, paddle in the sheltered bay or stroll along the
lake's beach. A visit to the abandoned Hudson’s
Bay Company
trading post carries you away into past times. In the last evening we
will prepare for our next part of the adventure: the hiking excursion.
As you will have to carry your own backpack for this portion of the
trip, you will want to make sure to only pack essential items.
Day 11:
After breakfast we will leave the lodge and take a pleasant boat ride
to the East Arm of Frances Lake. At the trailhead we will tie up the
boat, shoulder our packs and start the climb up to the treeline. We
will take advantage of an old hunting trail that follows along a small
creek. It takes about three to four hours to reach the campsite. This
will be our home for the next three nights.
Day
12 - 13:
Day hikes in the northern foothills of the Rocky Mountains will bring
us into a wonderful world of mountains, lakes, creeks and unique places
with incredible views of a fascinating and endless wilderness. If we
are lucky, we will see caribou, moose, mountain goat, pika as well as
various birds.
Day 14: Eventually we take
down our tents and head back to the lake. The boat brings us back to
the lodge, where a hearty meal is awaiting us.
Day 15:
The last day at the lodge is at your leisure. You may participate in a
guided excursion or simply relax at the lodge and go fishing, hiking,
swimming.
Day 16:
Today you will leave this wonderful place. With boat and car we bring
you back to Whitehorse, where you spend the night in a hotel.
Day 17: We bring you to the
airport or you may go on by yourself.
THINGS TO KNOW:
- No
prior wilderness experience is necessary. The canoe trip is well suited
for novices and there is plenty of time to practice paddling skills.
This is a class I to II rated river.
- You must
be able to carry your own backpack (day 11). Most of the hiking is in
trackless terrain. Bring sturdy hiking boots and weatherproof clothes
(jackets and pants)! Details see Equipment
List Lodge
and Equipment
List Tours.
- All luggage you don’t need on the canoe or hiking
trip can be left at the lodge.
- This trip can be split into two parts: canoe trip
only (Yusezyu
River) or hiking trip only (Mount Hunt).
- Normally
we pick up our guests in Whitehorse or Watson Lake and bring them by
car and boat to our lodge. However, if you would like to see the Yukon
from the air, you can fly in by floatplane - a spectacular alternative!
Ask us for a quote.
- Frances Lake Wilderness
Lodge & Tours is member of the Tourism Industry Association of
the
Yukon (TIA) and the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Association (WTAY).
- Canadian
legislation requires you to sign a release of liability and waiver of
claims form prior to the commencement of the arrangement.
- Our guides are well trained in wilderness travel
and first aid.
DATES AND RATES:
| Duration: |
17 days from/to Whitehorse |
| Dates: |
July 27 - August 12, 2010
(or by reservation) |
| Rates: |
for 3 to 7 guests |
$3610 CAD + GST per person
(double occupancy) |
| |
for 2 guests |
$4210 CAD + GST per person (double occupancy) |
| |
Single supplement |
$400 CAD + GST |
| |
Fly-in from Whitehorse
or Watson Lake |
price on application |
|
Terms
of Participation
RATES INCLUDE:
- All accommodation (7 nights at lodge, 7 nights
camping, 2 nights in hotel)
- All meals during the trips and at the lodge
- Transfer from/to Whitehorse
- Flight to McPherson Lake by floatplane
- All necessary equipment for canoe trip and hiking (except
sleeping bags and pads)
- Guided day trips at the lodge
- Use of lodge amenities such as sauna, library,
canoes, kayaks and angling equipment
- Professional guide service by licensed wilderness
guide
NOT INCLUDED:
- Meals in Whitehorse
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (the lodge is
licensed and has a selection in stock)
- Angling licence (can be purchased at lodge)
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Personal
insurance (trip cancellation, medical insurance): We strongly recommend
to arrange for sufficient coverage before the start of your trip.