Page 20 - RV Yukon

KM 248: Fox Lake Campground
located close to highway provides
access to Fox Lake, a favourite for
boaters. The sheltered bay at the
south end of the lake is excellent
for canoeing. The lake’s Southern
Tutchone name, Kwätän’ ayä, refers
to the creek that branches off into
the bush. The campground has 43
sites, 9 of them Pull through Boat
Launch, fire pits $8 fee The Southern
Tutchone name is Kwatan aya. Good
fishing for Trout, Burbot and Grayling.
A favourite of Whitehorse residents.
KM 272: Fox Lake Burn rest area. Walk
the trail that provides interpretation
about the massive forest fires that
affected the area in 1998 and 1999.
KM 280.8: Braeburn Lodge. Famous
for the huge Cinnamon buns it
sells, is a necessary stop for all
travellers. It was once a roadhouse
on the overland trail and is used as a
checkpoint on the Yukon Quest sled
dog race in February.
KM 298.5: Conglomerate Mountain.
Conglomerate rock formations were
created by volcanic mudflows 185
million years ago. The white ash layer
in this rest stop was laid down during
the eruption of Mount Churchill,
at the headwaters of the White
River near the Yukon/Alaska border,
over 1,100 years ago. Outhouses,
interpretive signs, and garbage bins.
You can view the mountain from
here, it was formed 185 million years
ago by volcanic mud flows.
KM 307.5 (306.7): Twin Lakes
Campground. 31 sites 9 pull through
Boat Launch Excellent fishing for
Pike, Grayling and Lake Trout as well
as to Canoe/Kayak. The Southern
Tutchone name for the lake is
Deghal Shaw.
KM 321.5: Montague Roadhouse.
In 1902 the territorial government
contracted White Pass & Yukon Route
to build a 530-km winter wagon road
from Whitehorse to Dawson called
the Dawson Overland Trail. This
roadhouse is the third reincarnation
of its name but is rich in history
for this part of the Yukon. It served
as a resting point for many weary
travellers and was part of a chain of
roadhouses that were spaced 30-
40km apart and formed the overland
trail from Whitehorse to Dawson. The
White Pass and Yukon Railway had
the contract for the mail and took
over the roadhouses which boasted
corrals, barns, and stables. A traveller
would have to pay $125 for the 5–7-
day journey on the stage coach.
KM 355.5: The community of
Carmacks community is situated at
the confluence of the Nordenskiold
and Yukon Rivers, approximately 180
km north of Whitehorse and 360 km
south of Dawson City.
It is named after George Washington
Carmack, who found coal near
Tantalus Butte (locally called Coal
Mine Hill) in 1893. Carmack built a
trading post and traded with locals
near the present site of Carmacks
and also started a coal mine on the
south bank of the Yukon River. Be
sure to follow the boardwalk to the
Roadhouse and Hazel Brown’s cabin.
Carmacks is the start of many
fantastic walks or hikes ranging from
half an hour up to 2 hours. You can
take in the picturesque vista that the
river and countryside give. If it is a hot
day and you need a break from driving
perhaps the Coal Lake Hike is for you.
It’s a 4km walk in total but you have
the chance to swim/picnic at the lake.
Be sure to stop in at the Tatchun Centre
General store to stock up on supplies.
The Hotel Carmacks & RV Park also
offers RV sites with a view on the Yukon
River! See our ad on page 18.
KM 358: Coal Mine Campground.
Private campground featuring tent
sites right along the Yukon River,.
Famous for their delicious burgers,
homemade desserts, fresh coffee and
drinks. See our ad on page 19
KM 359: Robert Campbell Highway
Junction carries east to Faro, Ross River,
and Watson Lake, providing a gateway
to the Canol Road and some of the
Yukon’s most spectacular scenery.
KM 379: Five Finger Rapids
Recreation Site. A large pullout on
the west side of the highway leads
you to Yukon’s longest staircase. A
45-minute (return) walk down the
850 m (0.5 mi.) trail ends at a large
viewing platform overlooking the
rapids. Interpretive panels discuss
historic and natural themes.
KM 382: Tatchun/Frenchman Road.
A gravel road leads you to
campgrounds at Tatchun
Lake at km 8.4, Nunatuk at
km 33.3 and Frenchman
Lake (Łútth’i Mǟn) at km 41.7.
All three campgrounds are
on beautiful, clear lakes that
offer great opportunities for
pleasant canoe outings. The
road is 46.2 km (28 mi.) long
and offers some of the best
chances to view Mule Deer.
The road joins the Robert
Campbell Highway about 41
km (25 mi.) from the Klondike
Highway intersection.
KM 397.5: Yukon River Viewpoint.
KM 430: Minto Landing. Minto Resort
owned by the Selkirk First Nation and
provides an RV campground and tour
bus lunch stop during the summer
season (May - September).
KM 455: Meadow Lake.
KM 465: Viewpoint of Pelly River and
Pelly Crossing.
KM 467: Pelly Crossing. The Selkirk
First Nation Council administers Pelly
Crossing. Their Final Land Claim
and Self-Government agreements
were signed at Minto in 1997. It has
a gas station, dump station, grocery
store and an RCMP detachment. The
Selkirk Heritage Centre is near the
grocery store and a worthwhile stop
to learn more about the Selkirk First
Nation and their traditional ways .
KM 484: Willow Creek Valley
KM 503.5: Wrong Lake. Stocked
with rainbow trout for any interested
anglers.
KM 513: Drunken Forest. This straight
section of highway is surrounded
by Black Spruce and Paper Birch
that grow on poorly drained soil.
As the permafrost melts, the trees
lean in different directions appearing
“drunken.” This same permafrost
causes frost heaves in the highway.
KM 524: Ethel Lake 24km off the
North Klondike Highway 10 sites no
pull throughs, it's a long windy gravel
road into the campground. Very quiet
and scenic. The road isn't great but if
you travel slowly you can make it with
a large RV as well, but easier to travel
with a truck camper. There is a boat
launch and fishing there.
KM 534: Stewart Crossing. Junction
with the Silver Trail connects Mayo,
Elsa, and Keno City with the North
Klondike Highway. Also known as
Yukon Highway 11, the Silver Trail was
given its name due to the history of
silver mining in the region. The road
is paved as far as the Mayo Airport,
and is unpaved from that point to Elsa
and Keno City.
The area is a popular destination
for visitors due to its access to
stunning mountain ranges, famous
mining museum, and opportunity
for wilderness adventures. Mayo
remains the hub for services and
transportation.
Bedrock Motel & RV Park offers a well
manicured RV Park with full power
and dump station. See our ad on
page 18.
KM 555.5: Stewart River
KM 559: Moose Creek Campground.
36 sites and 4 pull throughs. Picnic
shelter, hiking trails, with good
Greyling fishing. Make noise and
bring bear spray when hiking as
wildlife uses this area.
KM 618.5: Gravel Lake. Interpretive
signs highlight the importance of this
wetland on the Tintina Trench, a major
travel corridor for migratory birds in
spring and fall. Waterfowl nest here in
early summer, joined by rafts of ducks
in late summer. Unusual birds are
sometimes seen here, including Ruddy
Duck and Black Scoter. Yellow Water
Lily carpets the lake surface in July.
Sharp-tailed Grouse are commonly
seen in the open aspen woodlands
KM 651.5: Tintina Trench. A large
rest area on the north side of the
road has a commanding view of
the Tintina Trench and the Klondike
River. The Tintina Trench is the
largest geological fault in North
America, and is one of two major
travel corridors for migratory birds
in Yukon, such as huge flocks of
Sandhill Cranes.
KM 671.5: Klondike River. A large
pullout on the east side has an
interpretive sign about the history of
salmon in the Klondike River and their
importance to the Trondëk Hwëch’in.
KM 672: Dempster Highway
Junction.
KM 688.6: Dawson City Entrance.
KM 696.7: Klondike River
Campground 35 sites and 2 pull
throughs. Has an interesting 1.7km
interpretive trail and boardwalk
through an old growth forest.
KM 697.5: Dawson City Airport
KM 712: Klondike River bridge.
KM 713 : Crocus Bluff Trail. A 500
m (0.3 mi.) trail leads you to a view
of the confluence of the Klondike
and Yukon rivers. Interpretive panels
feature nature and history themes.
KM 714: Dawson City!
KLONDIKE REGION
Stewart Crossing
Tinitina Trench Viewpoint
Keno City Signpost
Photo © YG/ Hans G Pfaff
Carmacks
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