A spectacular afternoon on the Yukon River
Each summer, Cathy and I try to have one special day tucked away to remember when it’s 40 below zero – Sunday, August 27th will be that day this year.
The fireweed on our property are the first of the Fall colours to get photo-worthy, but others won’t be far behind.
Higher up on the fireweed, I think an ambitious spider took advantage of a fireweed stalk in seed to build a super-web.
The day got off to a wonderful start when a neighbour and new friend invited us over to see her miniature horses, regular horses and donkeys. The miniature filly was taking a nap when we arrived, but got up for a snack – she is so tiny! (I could have easily picked her up)
I’ve always loved donkeys 🙂
Going on on the Yukon River in a couple of friends’ boat was the big event of the day. We met them at the boat launch on Schwatka Lake, which is the Yukon River that was backed up by construction of a power dam in 1958, right at the upstream edge of downtown Whitehorse. There were a lot of people out enjoying the magnificent weather.
We were soon “far from the madding crowd,” though!
Lovin’ an adventure with my buddy, 2-year-old Cecil 🙂
Looking up at “the jaws of death” – infamous Miles Canyon. The rapids that took many lives during the Klondike Gold Rush were eliminated by construction of the dam, but it’s still an exciting piece of river.
At Miles Canyon, the Yukon River has cut its way down through a flow of basaltic lava. The lava flowed from a vent approximately 8 km (5 mi) to the south, between Golden Horn and what is now the Mount Sima ski hill, about 8.5 million years ago.
The 85-foot-long Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge was built across the narrowest and most dramatic part of the canyon in 1922, and is now the start of an extensive network of hiking trails.
We weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere, it was just time to enjoy this incredible place we call home. Only about 25 km of the river is navigable here, as it’s blocked by the power dam below and the Lewes River Dam (a.k.a. the Marsh Lake Dam) above.
It’s really a lovely section of the river, and there’s a hiking trail along the top of the north bank (the one in the next photo), possibly all the way between the two dams – I’ve walked about half of it.
I’m not a fan of fishing, but Cathy and Adam both are so we pulled into a little bay that had the potential for both Arctic greyling and Northern pike.
With half a dozen casts, Cathy brought in a nice Northern pike, 55 cms long (22 inches). Things got busy and crowded and I didn’t think to get the mandatory “fishing hero” photo!
At about the spot seen in the next photo, we reached the Whitehorse city limits!
Just 8 minutes further up the river, we spotted a campsite on the bank and pulled in for a campfire snack. There’s a good walking trail from the Lewes River Dam to this spot.
This is the time we’re going to save for those middle-of-the-winter blues days. This is Yukon perfection 🙂
A great spot for a smokey-roast.
I finally went skinnydipping in the Yukon River! I guess it was just never the right place at the right time before. I feel like this should be added to the list of things you need to do to be a sourdough 🙂
Headed home. Even on one of the finest weekends of the summer, there were few people on the river. It wasn’t surprisingly, though, as there aren’t that many boats in the Yukon – the season is simply too short for most people to justify.
One final photo from the river, shot in the middle of Miles Canyon.
What would be the best possible ending to a day like that? How about my first good aurora borealis display of the season?! Judging from the many photos posted by others in my Yukon aurora group, this could be a very good year for them.
When I went around to the front of the house, Tucker and Bella heard me and went nuts. I was unable to convince that it was me, but Cathy finally got up and calmed them down. I guess we’re safe from burglars – if the electronic security system doesn’t detect them, the canine one sure as hell will 🙂
There wasn’t much motion to this display, so I didn’t stay out long, but it was a good start.
As soon as I posted this, a Beaverton post came onto my feed that I decided was a great ending to thuis story – while we get to enjoy the wilderness with nobody around, this is most people’s reality.
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Murray, I have noticed in the last 8-10 postings that comments are hit or miss for posting… if I refresh it tells me that I have already commented, but don’t always see it here. (an earlier comment from me today, posted successfully, the first one here in this river adventure did not…and this may or may not. (Just realizing that irony)
Hmmm – I don’t really know what to make of that. I’m sorry it’s giving you problems.
One of my favorites is to just be on the river, the bay or a quiet inlet on Long Island sound which is my backyard… Our season is a lot longer than your’s in the Yukon naturally, but by the end of September the season is largely over for the vast majority of pleasure boaters. A great way to spend an afternoon with like minded friends…and cap it off with a good start night sky!.
That sounds wonderful – if I ever moved to southern BC it would have to be near the sea and a boat would be mandatory.
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Gabriola Island might be on your list . You would certainly find a welcome here as well as quiet trails and water.
I’d love to spend a few weeks wandering around the Gulf Islands. I’ve visited many of them over the years but it’s been many years since I was on Gabriola.
Nice adventure, absolutely beautiful surroundings! 40 below, can’t possibly imagine! 😱
If find -40 to -45 to be quite exciting, and it makes for excellent photo ops, but if I had my choice it would only rarely go below freezing 🙂