Midway Point on Esker, Dubawnt Canyon Portage
Planned rest day to check out Dubawnt Canyon
Distance 0 km [784km]
Portage 0 [15]
Very Fast Water 0 [30]
Rapids 0 [28]
Slept in as it was a designated rest day and we had had an interrupted night. It was still a chilly wind but the rain had ceased and there was even some blue sky.
After breakfast and a coffee kick-start we walked east along the canyon towards Grant Lake checking out the possible put-ins and the best route for a portage. The exit from the canyon into Grant Lake has much white water with a number of ledges opening into a shallow boulder garden. The river edge was either swampy or with very steep sides. We found a possible spot to put in though it would mean lining the canoe for some distance to get out into the lake. Walking back we went inland and walked along the ridge. It would make for a slightly longer portage but much easier walking. On this walk we saw a Musk Ox, unfortunately we only got to about 200 metres from him when he saw us and took off. They are amazing looking creatures.
Esker camp, Dubawnt Canyon portage, the green fuel container is anchoring the end of the wire antenna for the short wave radio, Grant Lake is 2km away in the distance
Our ‘esker’ is probably a misnomer, it appeared more likely to be an overbank deposit from post glacial drainage down the canyon, there appeared to be a similar feature on the opposite side of the river
Lower Dubawnt Canyon, looking east towards Grant Lake
Looking back upstream towards the Dubawnt Canyon
Muskox, as it turned out, he was the only one we were to see on the entire trip
Back at the tent we were having a late lunch with the door open when a lone caribou appeared on the hill opposite. After an afternoon snooze we both braved a dip in the small shallow lake on the esker. The water wasn’t cold but the naked run back to the tent in the cold wind was a test. The reward is the feeling of being clean again. The wind had moderated but was still too strong for paddling and by evening it had cranked up again and it was raining.
A leasurely lunch back at camp
Esker camp under blue skies