Grand Canyon of the Stikine

The Stikine cuts about eighty kilometres of canyon through volcanic rock with walls up to three hundred metres, and in places the gap narrows to around two metres across, which means the entire river passes through a slot you could nearly jump. It is one of the few major river canyons in North America that has never been commercially rafted; the first successful descent came in 1981 and the run remains an expedition undertaken by a handful of kayakers, with several deaths on the water. For everyone else the canyon is seen from viewpoints reached by rough tracks off the Cassiar Highway. Stone sheep and mountain goats live on the walls.

What you actually see

• The narrows - a full river forced through gaps of a few metres.
• The volcanic walls - three hundred metres of layered rock above the water.
• The viewpoints - rough tracks off Highway 37 to the rim.
• The wildlife - stone sheep and goats on the canyon walls.

When to go

July to September; the Cassiar Highway and the access tracks are difficult outside summer. Even in season the tracks are rough and often need high clearance.

Honest expectations

There is no developed access, no signage and no facilities; finding the viewpoints takes local directions. Descending into the canyon is expedition kayaking that has killed experienced paddlers. The nearest services are far apart.

Nearby

Dease Lake lies north; Mount Edziza is west.