Hey all, I'm looking for info and logistics on the Hess River. I want to paddle the upper river and continue to the Stewart, paddling all the way back to Mayo. I'd be interested to know how many days I should allow for the route, and where a good starting point is. Also, if there's a float plane charter company out of Mayo that you could recommend, that would be great too. I've also read that there are consistent class 3+ and some class 4 rapids on the upper stretches of the river. I'm looking at going late July / early Aug this summer. If anyone could share what the character of the river is, that would be great. For example, is it more like class 2 / 3, or is it truly consistent 3+? And is it big water or more tech.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Google air charter Mayo and you get several.. We used Black Sheep back in 1996 for flying out of Mayo but I am not sure they still do.. They are based in Watson Lake.. a fur piece away.

Since the Hess is commercially run you probably have run across this https://adventures.com/Adventure/Tour/3 ... -the-Yukon

Thanks and ya, the charter company out of Mayo is Alcan - thanks for that. I did see that trip report and boasting 8km of 3+ which I will go prepared for. Seems more than a commercial operator would tackle but they're going with inflatables.

Sorry I could not be more help.. Two years ago we blasted by Mayo enroute to Keno Hill.. And though we had a canoe we also had an RV and camped up there..

No problem, it's fairly straight forward though, the best - as in the least expensive way takes some figuring.

Hello Whiskey Jack.

If you go to alkanair.com/paddle there is a quote request form that allows you to select the Hess River and get instant pricing for the different aircraft, with information on payload as well.


Regards,

Adam

I've paddled the Hess. What would you like to know? Cheers.

A friend and I floated the Hess and Stewart from Porter Lake to Mayo in whitewater kayaks in the first half of July some years ago. The trip took us 15 days. In the area after Keele Peak where the Hess turns west, there is a day with some solid Class IV whitewater at that time of the year. In kayaks it was mostly read-and-run whitewater which we blasted through without much scouting, but in canoes it would probably take longer.

We'll see how long it takes by canoe when i solo t this coming July 2020

Jim Baird did this in Aug 2019. His you tube series on it is excellent and might help(?)

I tried watching a couple of them just couldn’t get into his video and honestly wasn’t impressed it’s his paddling
Thanks for the tip just the same i may try review them again
I will say he didn't lack camera/video footage so hats off to that aspect

What do you see wrong with his paddling? Based on what he's accomplished I'd say he's better than most... certainly me.
Anyway, I recommended to you as he highlights the distances, obstacles, portages and route which you are planning so I thought it would help.

Good luck. Hope you are able to share your trip with us as well when you get back. I love the Yukon

So how long did it take and where did you start?