Also see the pages dedicated to Kluane Lake and Silver City.
Kluane Lake is our favorite area in the north. Lucky are those that are here on clear days. On cloudy days the mountain ranges can be hidden behind cloud and the opportunity to see the distant views is limited.
Northbound on the Alaska Highway, north of Haines Junction -
September 2009
View travelling south towards Haines Junction - June 2008
Kluane Lake with the rest area/viewpoint on the east side of the
Alaska Highway - September 2009
Looking west from the Alaska Highway towards the Kluane Range, south of Kluane
Lake - June 2008
Kluane Lake Viewpoint, km 1645 (mile 1020), looking north towards Kluane Lake -
June 2008
Kluane Lake Viewpoint, looking west towards the Kluane Range - June 2008
At km 1636 (historical mile 1053) there is a gravel access road to an unmaintained historical site, Silver City. This early 1900s trading post & roadhouse included a North West Mounted Police barracks. When I was a kid we often stopped to look at the ruins on our way home from Whitehorse.
Front view of Silver City lodge - June 2008
See this page for more of my pictures of Silver City.
Back on the Alaska Highway, continuing northward ...
Leaving Silver City headed north to Kluane Lake - December 1998
The same area as above, in June 2008. Sheep Mountain is on the right of
the picture - June 2008
And
again, but on a sunny day in September 2009
On the south side of Kluane Lake, there are many areas to stop and enjoy the surroundings. The rest area from which I took the photo below would have been a great overnight boondock spot; it was large, level and far enough off the highway.
Large rest area on south side of Kluane Lake, looking towards Sheep
Mountain - June 2008
Approaching the Slims River bridge and Sheep Mountain northbound - December
1998
Similar view to the photo above, approaching Slims River Bridge - 20 June 2008
The Slims River bridge is being replaced. New road construction seen in 2008 will take a new alignment through this area.
Slims River
Flats west of Kluane Lake, seen from the Alaska Highway - June 2008
A slightly different view southbound along Kluane Lake - December 2001
All my life I have wanted to hike on Sheep Mountain. Every time my family went by it on our way to "town" I imagined being on it; however, we never stopped.
FINALLY, I can say I have hiked Sheep Mountain!
Looking west from Sheep Mountain -
September 1993
On west side of Sheep Mountain looking west -
September 1993
Looking up the west side of Sheep Mountain -
September 1993
Soldier's Summit is where the ceremony officially opening the Alaska Highway was conducted in November 1942. In 1992 a walking trail to the original highway and the ceremony site was improved. Another dedication ceremony was held, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Alaska Highway. It is a short uphill hike, starting at a good parking area along Kluane Lake.
Plaque at Soldier's Summit - September 1993
Soldier's Summit - September 1993
View of Kluane Lake from Soldier's Summit - September 1993
I have many memories of a hostile lake with whitecaps moving quickly along
the surface.
It amazed me that on two separate trips the lake was
absolutely calm and mirror flat. Beautiful!
September 1993
View south from the lakeshore alongside Congdon Creek campground - June 2008
Warning at Congdon Creek Yukon government campground - June 2008
We have tent camped at Congdon Creek in September 1993 with no bear problems. Also camped in RVs, in September 1995 and June 1996 without sighting any bears.
HOWEVER, in late-September 1997 we were boondocked along the shores of Kluane Lake just a bit north of the Congdon Creek campground (the campground was closed for the season). As we were enjoying our breakfast, we spotted a grizzly crossing Congdon Creek from the campground and ambling north towards the motorhome. Five minutes later the large bear popped out of the bush about 20 feet from the RV and sat down. After debating his/her options for a few minutes the bear continued walking north along the shore, prompting us to decide to not take the hike we had planned that morning!
Congdon Creek campground - June 2008
Alaska Highway near Soldier's Summit in 2008
Alaska Highway near Soldier's Summit - June 2008