Hiking along the Yukon River to Canyon City at Whitehorse

Our hiking group used to do outings on Saturday mostly, but as the group is expanding, so is the variety of times and places. One of the members suggested a few days ago that dinner-time hikes might be nice, so on Thursday, 5 of us with 3 dogs met at 4:30 to hike along the Yukon River to Canyon City and back.

This was actually the second hike of the day for the dogs and I but I’ll tell about about the first one in the next post – that will make sense when I post it 🙂

The Miles Canyon Road is gated at the Alaska Highway in winter, and despite what’s going on this year, it does snow some years, so we walked down to the river from the highway. You can see an interactive map here (opens in a new window).

Walking down Miles Canyon Road at Whitehorse, Yukon

Our first sight of the Yukon River, towards the bottom of the narrowest part of Miles Canyon.

Miles Canyon at Whitehorse, Yukon

At the last curve before you drop down to the small parking lot, the low ridge ahead hides this view…

Yukon River just above Miles Canyon at Whitehorse, Yukon

And on that ridge, some Prairie crocuses were a most welcome sight 🙂

Prairie crocuses at Whitehorse, Yukon

Looking upriver at Miles Canyon.

Miles Canyon at Whitehorse, Yukon

I was very surprised by the very low water level – I saw an article a few days later that the levels are at record lows.

Low water levels in the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

We chose to take the Lower Canyon City Trail that runs right along the river, for the views. It has lots of ups and downs.

Lower Canyon City Trail along the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

The trail is busy enough that this was a leashed walk for Bella and Tucker and the other dog, Lucky Marshall.

Lower Canyon City Trail along the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

Lower Canyon City Trail along the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

Lower Canyon City Trail along the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

Once we reached Canyon City at 5:40 pm, it was time for a drink!

Dogs in the Yukon River at Whitehorse, Yukon

Canyon City grew up around the North West Mounted Police post where people headed for the Klondike gold fields had to stop and either prove they were capable of running the rapids ahead, or put everything on one of the two tramways that were built around the rapids.

Historic photo of Canyon City near Whitehorse, Yukon

There’s little at the site now, but interpretive signage and a restored tramway cart give visitors an idea of what the place was like.

Canyon City near Whitehorse, Yukon

Another person with a dog came along, and the 4 dogs all had a great play. I’m always really pleased to see little Tucker get right in with the bigger dogs – he’s certainly had some experiences to make him wary of doing it.

Dogs playing at Whitehorse, Yukon

On the return walk, Sue and I chose to take the upper trail, which is the route of one of the tramways. The next photo is looking back towards Canyon City.

Upper Canyon City Trail at Whitehorse, Yukon

The next photo shows a section of the trail as it drops back down to the Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge that we crossed the river on.

Upper Canyon City Trail at Whitehorse, Yukon

The Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge, and an interpretive sign about the otters and beavers that may be seen.

Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge at Whitehorse, Yukon

We got back to our vehicles just before 7:00, with everyone agreeing that these dinner-time hikes were a great idea.