Skagway, scenery, and sand

August 6th, 2007
Posted by Lynn in Ruth's visit to Yukon

So week number 4 and there are too many options of what we could do this weekend. In the end we decide to sleep in our own beds, do a day trip to see Skagway and then whatever after.

Bright and early, maybe about 10 am, we are on the road to Skagway. Of course we have to stop at Emerald Lake, Carcross, and a couple other pretty places.

Emerald Lake and its gorgeous colours, oh, and my sister Ruth!

Visitor centre in Carcross, the name comes from Caribou crossing!

A little lake on the way to Skagway

Very cool bridge on the South Klondike Highway

Skagway doesn’t change its essence much. It is always fun to visit though. Interesting to see how many cruise ships are in and what the Americans are wearing this year. Okay, that is more gag me, than fun. It was a beautiful warm day and we did enjoy ourselves.

Klondike Gold Rush National Park - headquarters in Skagway

Skagway shops

You can see this building in the historic photos of Skagway

Ruth and Lawrie

Building detail, yes that is a shovel handle!

More interesting buildings in Skagway

We stopped at the world smallest desert just out of Carcross on the way home. Lawrie and I haven’t ever stopped here, so now is the opportunity. The sand was warm and nice to walk on with bare feet.

Scenery on the way home, traveling north on the South Klondike highway

Windy Arm Lake I think

The desert at Carcross

Did I say the smallest desert anywhere ... wonder how they claim that?

The sisters and an O

Hiking to Samuel Glacier and other adventures

July 30th, 2007
Posted by Lynn in Ruth's visit to Yukon

After another four days of work, or did we only work for three and take an extra day off? Whatever. We pack up the night before and take off along the Alaska Highway going north or north-west or maybe even more west. Whatever the direction, we are going to Haines Junction and then leaving the Alaska Highway for the Haines, Alaska highway now travelling pretty much south. If this was confusing, just wait, it could get worse.

Dezadeash Lake on the way to Haines Alaska

One of several grizzlies we saw

Can you find the cub?

Now that we are months later I can’t remember too many details. Where exactly you stop on the highway to access the trail to Samuel Glacier I can’t say. It is someplace not too far from the border, on the right side, and there is an outhouse and very large parking area. My former colleague Richard had done this trip and his pictures were amazing. My photos aren’t near so interesting, but I think we arrived when the flowers were in bloom, whereas they were either finished or Richard isn’t into flower photos! Check his photos out here to see what I mean!
One plant photo of the hundreds taken

First night campsite

Ruth isn't exactly ready to get that pack on her back

The hike to Samuel Glacier is about 8 kms long and follows an old Cat trail most of the way. There is at least one fairly large stream that you cross, so don’t forget to bring some footwear to do the crossing with. Unless you can walk on water?

It took us the better part of the morning, but we stopped a few hundred times to take flower pictures. Beautiful day … lovely evening … but it was very grey in the morning so our thought to hike to the top of the nearest mountain was dampened by low clouds. We enjoyed the morning, but decided to pack up and attempt to be out before it really rained on us. We almost made it!

The high alpine meadows

Samuel Glacier

Close-up of the glacier

Looking into Alaska

The hikers taking a walk?

Alpine hummocks

Takin' a break on our way out just before it rained

Makes the hike in worthwhile, don't you think?

We definitely did think it worth the effort

Wild parsnip

Sitka Valerian

Fresh mushrooms!

Dwarf fireweed, love this plant and flower and it was everywhere

Haines Alaska State Fair

Ruth taking salsa lessons

More salsa, she does seem to be paying attention

Nobody to talk to, but we do know how to take pictures

There are more photos … have a look in the Photo albums!

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