Now that you're in Lake Louise, it's time for the adventure of a lifetime. Let's press on to Whitehorse and over to Kluane National Park in Yukon Territory. I've made this drive before and the scenery is like nothing else in the world, just be prepared to stop for the moose and elk on the road. You may go long distances before you see other cars or trucks - take along an extra gas can or two on the roof and stop for gas whenever you see a station. I also recommend several cans of fix a flat, a spare vehicle battery, and a spare headlight in case you loose one from the rocks.
In this part of the world, there are long stretches where your cellphone and Onstar won't work, so a cheap CB radio is recommended to keep in touch with the truckers for emergencies and road conditions. No satellite radio here either, just your favorite CDs or the sound and smell of nature.
You made it to Whitehorse with some of the friendliest, most down to earth people you will ever meet. As you head for Kluane the next day, the mountains tower in the distance. As a matter of fact, Mount Logan that you see in the distance is the highest point in Canada. If you go in July, you will have the best weather, because in late summer this part of the world gets the prevailing Pacific westerlies with lots of cloud cover and drizzle. You will also have 20 hours of daylight up here in July.
Now that you're in the park it's good to leave word with someone when you will be coming back because the last time I was there cellphones didn't work anywhere in the park. This is nature as it was hundreds of years ago, unspoiled and with almost no shelters or public facilities. You will see mountains, glaciers and wildlife galore. What you probably won't see is another person. You can go a week in Kluane and see no one else, especially on the little cottonwood offroad trail. Most offroad trails have a "Travel at your own risk sign," don't be intimidated, but have a good winch and lots of water and food.
This is one park to take bear safety to heart. Bears don't see many humans up here and the scent of food might be too much for them to resist. You'll learn the difference between a brown bear, a black bear, and a grizzly real fast. The rainbow trout and northern pike are so thick in the streams, it seems you can almost scoop them out with your hand. Some of the small lakes with the lake trout have probably never been fished before, except by bears. There are some beautiful rustic cabins in Kluane, but most people sleep in their vehicles when far off the beaten path and shun tents because of the numerous wildlife in the area.
In this part of the world, there are long stretches where your cellphone and Onstar won't work, so a cheap CB radio is recommended to keep in touch with the truckers for emergencies and road conditions. No satellite radio here either, just your favorite CDs or the sound and smell of nature.
You made it to Whitehorse with some of the friendliest, most down to earth people you will ever meet. As you head for Kluane the next day, the mountains tower in the distance. As a matter of fact, Mount Logan that you see in the distance is the highest point in Canada. If you go in July, you will have the best weather, because in late summer this part of the world gets the prevailing Pacific westerlies with lots of cloud cover and drizzle. You will also have 20 hours of daylight up here in July.
Now that you're in the park it's good to leave word with someone when you will be coming back because the last time I was there cellphones didn't work anywhere in the park. This is nature as it was hundreds of years ago, unspoiled and with almost no shelters or public facilities. You will see mountains, glaciers and wildlife galore. What you probably won't see is another person. You can go a week in Kluane and see no one else, especially on the little cottonwood offroad trail. Most offroad trails have a "Travel at your own risk sign," don't be intimidated, but have a good winch and lots of water and food.
This is one park to take bear safety to heart. Bears don't see many humans up here and the scent of food might be too much for them to resist. You'll learn the difference between a brown bear, a black bear, and a grizzly real fast. The rainbow trout and northern pike are so thick in the streams, it seems you can almost scoop them out with your hand. Some of the small lakes with the lake trout have probably never been fished before, except by bears. There are some beautiful rustic cabins in Kluane, but most people sleep in their vehicles when far off the beaten path and shun tents because of the numerous wildlife in the area.
The mounties say that the moose cause more problems and injuries than the bears, especially in rutting season. Just use common sense and remember they are called "wildlife" for a reason! Kluane is like nowhere else on earth. So much so, that it has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This park was just made for Hummers, just use common sense especially on some of the lava rock trails where it is very easy to get stuck, literally miles from civilization and you might have to be rescued by rangers on horseback. Many of the offroad trails here are old mining trails and you often have to make the decision of driving going over a fallen tree or pulling it off the trail with your winch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kluane_National_Park_and_Reserve
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kluane_National_Park_and_Reserve
Kluane is truly the adventure of a lifetime and the trails are just perfect for Hummers! How many national parks can you go days without seeing someone else in the summer and drive (only on a trail and best with a Hummer) within walking distance of six major glaciers. The rafting trips down the Alsek River are another reason Kluane is like nowhere else.
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