Page 103 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

the mining creeks, Ogilvie Mountains, ‘60 Mile’
area, Dawson City and the Yukon and Klondike
River valleys await the photographer. The hills
bloom with over 100 varieties of wild flowers and
host an abundant variety of birds and wildlife. For
the wilderness lovers, there are many hiking and
canoeing opportunities in the Klondike area.
Dawson City hosts many unique and unusual events
during the year. In mid-February the Yukon Quest
Dog Sled race between Whitehorse and Fairbanks
has a mandatory 36-hour layover in Dawson, with
activities including the Centennial Ball, with 1898
style dress. The International Curling Bonspiel and
Old Timers Hockey Tournament also take place in
February. In March, the Percy De Wolfe Sled Dog
Race, a middle distance race to Eagle, Alaska and
back, features mail stamped “Delivered by Dog
Sled.” The coming of spring is celebrated in late Taiga Wilderness and McQuesten River
March with spring Thaw-Di-Gras. The International
Gold Show in late May starts the series of summer
events, followed by the gala Commissioners Ball in
early June. In July there are Canada Day celebrations,
gold panning championships and the Dawson City
Music Festival.
Every two years in July, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in of
Dawson City host a cultural celebration at the village
of Moosehide, located three miles downstream
from Dawson. Everyone is welcome at this three
day event of tradition, sharing, and friendship. For
more information on Moosehide Gathering contact
reception@trondek.ca. Dawson’s Discovery Days
Festival is held the third weekend in August.
One can travel by air to Dawson directly from
Whitehorse, YT or Fairbanks, Alaska. Connecting
flights are available from Vancouver and Anchorage.
There is road access from British Columbia via the
Alaska Hwy to the Klondike Hwy, and from Tok,
Alaska over Taylor Hwy #5 through Chicken, Alaska
and then on the Top of the World Hwy #9.

NORTH TO WHITEHORSE
JCT. KLONDIKE HWY 2 NORTH
& ALASKA HWY 1 TO HAINES JUNCTION
Haines Junction The Da Kų Culture Centre is an innovative Centre with its feature exhibits, and Yukon
Milepost 1016 on Alaska Highway 1, at the cultural facility located in Dakwäkäda (Haines Government’s Visitor Information Centre,
Junction). Da Kų (Our House) celebrates the
which showcases pieces from the Yukon
junction with Haines Road Hwy 3 to Haines, culture and traditions of the Champagne and Permanent Art Collection.
Alaska; 160 km (97 miles) from Whitehorse. Aishihik First Nations Dän people. The centre
Population: approximately 800. Visitor is a teaching, curatorial and interpretive Explore the CAFN lands in the map room
Information: Parks Canada’s Kluane National facility, providing programs directed to First depicting traditional trails, villages and
Park Visitor Centre and Yukon Government’s Nations members as well as the general special places. View intricate beadwork and
Visitor Information Centre in the Da Kų Cultural public. watch artists at work indoors and out. Visit
Centre. Phone: (867) 634-7207. Municipal the retail store for locally made pieces by First
Offices: St. Elias Convention Centre, Box 5339, Da Kų honors the vibrant language and Nations’ artists and craftspersons. During the
Haines Junction, YT Y0B 1L0; Phone: (867) stories, strong connection to the land and off-season Da Kų offers winter programs.
634-7100; Email: vhj@northwestel.net living culture of the Champagne and Aishihik
First Nations Dän, and connects to the No admission is charged for visiting Da Kų.
Haines Junction is nestled at the base of the towering wider community of Dakéyi, their southern We recommend a couple hours be allowed
St. Elias Mountains in the Shakwak Valley near scenic Yukon and northwestern British Columbia for touring the centre. Open mid-May to
Kluane National Park. Wilderness recreation includes homeland. These links are illustrated by September 30 daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm;
th
river rafting, canoeing, glacier flights, hunting, fishing the other agencies housed in the facility – winter hours by appointment only: 867-634-
guides, horse rental and bicycle tours. Parks Canada’s Kluane National Park Visitor 3300.
This bustling community had its beginnings in
1942 with the construction of the Alaska Highway.
Situated at the junction of Haines Road and the Alaska a vast rugged wilderness composed of lofty mountains throughout the park, some of which are overnight;
Highway, it was to become an important supply and and massive seas of ice. In recognition of its unique hikers must register with a park warden for these.
service center for construction workers. Today a variety features, Kluane was designated as a UNESCO World Guided hikes through Kluane National Park are
of excellent restaurants, motels and lodges and auto Heritage Site in 1979. also available during the summer months. Because
repair services are available. There is also a modern View Canada’s highest peak (Mount Logan) and Kluane was established as a wilderness park, there are
recreation complex with an indoor heated swimming the world’s most extensive nonpolar ice fields within no major roads into the area and only basic facilities,
pool, showers, curling rink, hockey arena, baseball and Kluane by helicopter. Flightseeing services are readily including an unserviced campground at Kathleen Lake.
softball diamonds and playground. available in the area around the park and Haines Special events include Silver Sled Dog Sled Races
Tourists should stop at the outstanding Kluane Junction. Mountain climbing and river rafting on the in March, Kluane-Chilkat International Bike Relay and
Visitor Reception Center for information and to view Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers are very popular, and Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival in June, and a
the audio visual presentation about Kluane. The park is miles of hiking trails for all levels of experience run Christmas Craft Sale in November.

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