We arrived in Whitehorse on the 26th. After setting up in a very crowded commercial campground we headed out for some chores. The truck needed an oil change and I needed to grocery shop. I also wanted to visit my favourite native craft store, in hopes of finding some hand-tanned moosehide moccasins. I was in luck! I grew up wearing moccasins and mukluks and continue to enjoy wearing moccasins around the house.
The evening was for laundry and checking email and road reports online.
We could not wait to get out of the city! Our destination today was the Klondike Highway and the Silver Trail to Mayo. The scenery along this route isn't overly spectacular; however, the road is good and it is easy to "make time". There are also a few historical sites to check out.
Five Finger Rapids oozes history on the Yukon River. From the highway, it looks like any old bend in the river with a few rocky islands in the middle.
However, this passage presented a challenge for river pilots as they navigated their large sternwheelers between Dawson City and Whitehorse In the 1900s blasting work began and continued for many years to widen the channel more than 20 feet. As well, a cable was attached to the sternwheeler to help guide the boats through the area.
View of Five Finger Rapids from the Klondike Highway
Many stairs and path take visitors down to an observation platform for a closer view. It is a nice hike on a packed dirt path. Be sure to wear some decent shoes as there is a bit of scrambling up and down rocks here and there.
The rapids and rocks, up close
Looking north along the Yukon River at Fiver Finger Rapids
The very adventurous can stand out on the river's edge to get a good look; NOT
for the faint-at-heart!
Of course, what goes down must go up ... I tried counting the number of steps as we climbed. The Milepost (a guide of northern highways) says there are 219, but I'm sure there were 222.
There was a tour bus load of people at the top oozing their congratulations as we 'bounced' back up. The dog was not so exhuberant!
The second flight of stairs leading back to the highway; a test of endurance!
After catching our breath and having lunch at the rest area beside Five Finger Rapids, we continued north.
The Pelly River and Pelly Crossing
On the north side of the Stewart River bridge, travelers can turn left to
continue to
Dawson City on Hwy 2, or turn right on Hwy 11 for the Silver Trail and the
communities of Mayo and Keno City. We turned right, towards Mayo and Keno
City.
Our destination for the night was Five Mile Lake Yukon Government campground; an ideal starting point for our next day's drive to Keno City.
Five Mile Lake on the Silver Trail
There is a good hiking trail around the lake. Other campers told us the fishing was not worthwhile. Steve grabbed his rod anyway and cast his line from shore. We enjoyed some nice Arctic Grayling for supper! Not many bugs here, so we had the fire going and enjoyed a pleasant evening outside.
The evenings are very long this time of year! Not getting dark; just a dim dusk. Our dog has not been feeling well so we are often strolling with him at 3 a.m. and a flashlight is not necessary! Thankfully other campers are sound asleep, otherwise they would wonder about the wild woman in fuzzy slippers and robe stumbling along behind a big red dog ... imploring him to get on with it.