Day 12: Ferry to Haines, AK then to Silver City, YT

Day 12, May 22, 2003:  Stops on the ferry today started in Juneau at 6:00 am, which we didn’t get up for.  Today we spent most of the morning reading and lounging in our sleeping bags waiting to get to Haines at noon.  Once we arrived in Haines, we got some lunch and then drove to the Chilkoot
Lake state park where grizzly bears reportedly fish out of the stream there.  We didn’t see any grizzlies, but we did see a mountain goat with impressive horns munching on somebody’s lawn.  After exploring Haines a little, we decided to head up the Haines Highway towards the Alcan. We stopped briefly at the bald eagle nature preserve, but didn’t see any bald eagles.  We crossed the border again into BC.  As usual, the drive was spectacular, and as we headed N, the weather cleared up as well.  The Haines Hwy climbs to over 3500 feet in places, and feels so utterly remote through the Takhinsha mountain range.  Very few cars on the road, and lots of snow even today.  After crossing into the Yukon Territory, we saw another black bear at close range who let us watch him feed for probably 10 mins before we left him alone.  Shortly after that, we spotted a fat porcupine.   At Haines Junction, we stopped at the visitor center where we made reservations at a B&B and also drooled of hiking opportunities on the Wrangell-St. Elias Mtns.  Here we also headed W. on the Alcan.  Ugh.  Talk about construction!!!  There were many miles and miles of gravel stretches.  But luckily our B&B was only 30 miles from Haines Junction in Silver City. 

 

The lodge was on the Kluane lake, a gorgeous mtn location with 4 small cabins and a hostel and 2 private residences on the property.  We made dinner there, and then slept hard after another exciting day traveling.  Notably, it was light out till after midnight.