Yukon Territory

Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory

Kluane Lake is our favourite area in the Yukon.   Kluane is pronounced, "kloo-wah-nee".
It's more than the lake ... it's the hills, mountains, trails, history, wildlife and it's a feeling of peace.  

Also see photos from my page dedicated to the Silver City historical area.

And more photos of this area are on my Alaska Highway page, which also includes:

The Globe & Mail ran this article on March 26, 2011, including reference to our travels in this area:  Leave the paved road behind to experience Kluane’s grandeur 

Kluane National Park visitor centre, Yukon
Here we are parked at the Kluane National Park Visitor Centre at the base of Sheep Mountain - Sept 2009

Kluane Lake - September 2009
View of east side of Kluane Lake, from the west shore near Congdon Creek campground - September 2009 

Kluane Lake, Yukon
Same hills shown in above photo, but with overnight snow the morning of 24 June 2008

Alaska Highway near Kluane Lake, Yukon YT
Looking south on the Alaska Highway from the entrance to Congdon Creek campground - September 2009 

Kluane Lake, Yukon
Looking south from the shores alongside the campground - August 2011

Kluane Lake, Yukon
Looking south from the shores alongside the campground - June 2008

Kluane Lake, Yukon YT
Kluane Lake shore, looking towards the south west from Congdon Creek campground - September 2009

Kluane Lake, Kluane National Park, Yukon
Looking westward along Slim's River from near Soldier's Summit - June 2012
Also see my page with more photos from Soldier's Summit

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 photos below would have been a great overnight boondock spot.

View from rest area near Kluane Lake, Yukon
Large rest area on south side of Kluane Lake, looking towards Sheep Mountain - June 2008

View of east shore of Kluane Lake from south shore, Yukon
View to the northeast from the same rest area, towards the east shore of Kluane Lake - June 2008

A viewpoint near the south shore of the lake provides a great opportunity for pictures of the mountain ranges and lake.

Sheep Mountain at Kluane Lake on the Alaska Highway
Sheep Mountain from the south end of Kluane Lake - August 2011

Also, keep your eyes open for the locals:

Grizzly bear on the Alaska Highway near Kluane lake
Brown bear (grizzly) on the Alaska Highway near Kluane Lake - August 2010

Another Ursa (our dog) on the shore of Kluane Lake:

Ursa, our dog, at Kluane Lake, Yukon

Kluane in Winter

In March 2011, I enjoyed a drive from Whitehorse to Bear Creek, just north of Haines Junction.  While we didn't reach Kluane Lake, the mountains in the Kluane area were spectacular in the brilliant sunshine.  Visit my page for March 2011 to see more.

Also see my March 2012 trip to Kluane Lake for a picnic by its shore.

Kluane Lake, Yukon, winter
Looking northward from the south shore of the ice-covered Kluane Lake - March 2012

Alaska Highway in winter, Kluane Lake, Yukon
Northbound on the Alaska Highway - March 2012 

Kluane Lake in winter, Yukon
Kluane Lake frozen in winter - March 2012

East Side of Kluane Lake

There is a rough, single lane road that follows the east shore of Kluane Lake from the south end.  The fifth wheel was left behind at the campground while we explored. 

Kluane Lake east shore, Yukon
View of a small lake and Kluane Lake from the east shore - June 2008

The road was rough and required several creek crossings. 

Kluane Lake east shore, Yukon
View from a road on the east side of Kluane Lake - June 2008

Eventually we encountered a creek we thought best to NOT cross.  We had travelled about 15 miles in 3 hours to reach this point. 

Creek crossing east side of Kluane Lake, Yukon
This creek appeared too risky to cross, even in 4-wheel drive - June 2008 

And so the truck did a 180 and we headed back to camp.  Sigh ...