BC, Yukon, Alaska - Holiday

From Haines, check out Kathleen Lake. And be sure to spend some time at Kluane Lake - one of the purest spots on earth, I reckon.

Do the trip on a bicycle, rather than in a car?

quote:

Do the trip on a bicycle, rather than in a car?

We're talking 2-3 weeks not 2-3 years...........

Cheers

Don

So don't go as far. Travelling under one's own power is by far the best way to experience, rather the just see, the world in my opinion. Hike, bike, kayak, ski, snowshoe etc. It's all great. Personally, I find driving holidays very unsatisfying. I don't feel like I've actually accomplished anything worthwhile at all. Many might argue I'm missing the point of a holiday in the first place if I see it as necessary to accomplish anything. But still....

Just my preference, but I think a lot don't know what they're missing by looking at the world through a windscreen.

Still, each to their own. Enjoy! It is a wonderful part of the world. If you come through Vancouver, there are a bunch of forum members here. Look us up!

winky,

I certainly concur with your advice above.

We normally spend quite a while in Canada each year. Overall, our itinerary is based on a couple of weeks driving; a couple of weeks backpacking and a couple of weeks flying/golfing.

Last couple of years the driving part has been to Montana/Wyoming. This year we thought we'd head north - hence the draft itinerary. We don't just drive-drive-drive. We usually stop to look or day-hike, but I accept for the most part it is mainly driving and watching the world go by. I am hoping that others on here can flag up a few places of interest to visit enroute.

The second part of the hols in recent years has seen us hiking The Rockwall, Assiniboine, Berg Lake and the Snowbird Pass, White Goat Wilderness and, as a special treat to my better half, Lake O'Hara (fixed camp site but wonderful day hikes). Plus, of course, many, many, wonderful day hikes between Jasper and Waterton, including Crypt Lake. this year we are planning a visit into the Tonkin Valley, plus a few more day hikes.

The last part of the hols usually sees us in Vernon, either playing golf at Preditor or flying to places like Nelson, Kaslo, Crawford Bay, Golden, Revelstoke and fitting in a round of golf at each stop.

Last year I met up with Mogul in Kelowna, and hope to do so again this year.

So, places to see in the Yukon? places to hike in the Rockies? or places to fly/golf within striking distance of Kelowna?

Cheers

Don

quote:

From Haines, check out Kathleen Lake.

Jayd

Are these the lakes about 30 km south of Haines Junction?

Cheers

Don

Don,
you might be able to use the Alaska Marine Highway and catch a couple of days visiting the isolated islands throughout Southeast Alaska: The Inside Passage. I did this many years ago and had a wonderful time, the icing on the cake was gazing up and watching the Aurora play across the sky. Alas I believe that we are now at a minimum in the Solar cycle so any display may not be quite as spectacular as those I witnessed but still worth watching through the night.

Roy

I have looked at the possibility of the AMH and that's how I would plan to move from Haines to Skagway - even though its only an hour sailing time.

We did a cruise in 2000 from Vancouver to the Hubbard Glacier visiting Skagway, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan and the Misty Fjords. We also did the run from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert a few years back. I agree with you that this coastline is truely spectacular.

Your post has given me the possible idea of using the AMH back to Prince Rupert from Haines/Skagway, rather than driving along the Alaskan Highway. We are thinking of using the Stewart Cassier Highway to travel north from Barkersville to Whitehorse.

Cheers

Don

Don,
I fear I can not teach you all that much about making use of the AMH and BC Ferries to explore the isolated and exciting coast of Alaska and BC. After looking back through my travel diaries and a few of my many Kodachrome images ranging from the bottom of Vancouver Island right on up to Skagway and White Horse all I can say is to do it. I have never had a bad holiday in that part of the globe and bad days can be number on the thumbs of both hands.

Money well spent.

Don,
If by chance you have a few free days when in and around Prince Rupert then a trip across to Skidegate with stops in Queen Charlotte City then up to Masset is in my opinion well worth the effort.

Try to spend some time on Vancouver Island. It's one of the loveliest places I've ever seen.

The train from Victoria to Courtney, known as The Malahat is worth a trip too.

steve

quote:

Try to spend some time on Vancouver Island. It's one of the loveliest places I've ever seen.

Absolutely agreed. We spent some time on the Island about 5 years back.

Mainly camping in Tofino with the obligatory float plane flight along the west coast and a canoe trip around Clayquat Sound. we also visited Uqulet, Victoria and most of the tracks north of Nanaimo enroute to Port Hardy and the ferry to Prince Rupert.

Cheers

Don