South Canol Road - Quiet Lake to Lapie Lake in Yukon

7 September 2007

We planned a couple of nights at Quiet Lake and hoped to get on the water in the canoe. We woke to calm water and stayed close to shore.

Looking west from the boat launch at Quiet Lake, towards the Big Salmon Mountain Range

Quiet Lake is 28km long and largest of three lakes that form the headwaters of the Big Salmon River system.

Looking north from the boat launch ...

We explored the area in the truck and learned the unmaintained recreation site at Nisutlin River would have been a great overnight stop. When we drove by yesterday we chose to not drive in as we did not know if there was a turn around area. Apparently this site is a popular spot for kayakers to put in for a week trip down the river to Teslin. 

8 September 2007

We left Quiet Lake campground to continue north. We stopped at a camping area about 20 km north of the campground. It was a narrow edge along the lakeshore suitable for tents and truck/campers. Nearby, there are pieces of equipment from the original road construction.

Quiet Lake Grader Station, a maintenance camp at km 98

Quiet Lake Grader Station, a maintenance camp at km 98

Most of the bridges on the South Canol are one lane wood bridges.

Rose River bridge, km 104 (this bridge was closed on our July 2008 visit)

Note: see many more pictures taken between Rose River bridge No. 1 and Ross River from our July 2008 trip

Next stop was Lapie Lake (km 164) where there was an unmaintained recreational site with a couple of camping spots. One of the spots had a picnic table and room for the fifth wheel.

Campsite at Lapie Lake

Looking south from the campsite at Lapie Lake.

Looking south on the lake from our campsite

After unhooking the fifth wheel, we explored a side road along Groundhog Creek that led east into the hills and Seagull Lakes.

Side road to Seagull Lakes

Road to Seagull Lakes

Returning from Seagull Lakes

We were hoping to get to the lakes; however after a couple of hours the road started a steep climb and became very rough. Even with a four wheel drive, it was risky to continue so we turned back.

Back on the South Canol we headed a bit north of our campsite at Lapie Lake to find a walking trail to Ian H. Thomson Falls. It's a short hike to the falls.

Trailhead to Ian H. Thomson Falls along the South Canol Road

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