July 28 - Yukon Day 3 - Atlin BC

Today is my last day in the Yukon - tomorrow, I'm driving back to Haines.

I'm heading to Atlin British Columbia - the northwesterly town in BC. It was established in 1898 and it had one of the richest gold strikes during the Yukon gold rush. I've read its such a beautiful place, sitting on the Atlin Lake with mountains views (and glacier views not too far off). I've also read/heard that it's a great place for wildlife sightings. (Crossing  my fingers!)

Again, the weather says rain - enough of the stuff -- I need some sun! And when I look out the window, there's sun. I hope it stays with me today.

I set out heading east again on the Alaskan Hwy past the South Yukon Hwy past Marsh Lake (I make a quick stop - very wavy out today) to Jake's Corner. If I continue straight, I'll be heading to Teslin (not on the plan today). Instead, I turn south towards Atlin.

The road follows Atlin Lake almost the entire way. However, for most of the way, the views of the lake are obstructed by the forest - but still beautiful!

I'm exiting one of several road construction areas and spot an animal heading for the road, turn around and head back into the forest. It's small, has big paws and what looks like a long tail. My first instinct is Lynx!! I'm very so excited. Awesome start to the day!!

(After getting back to the hotel I realize that Lynx don't have long tails -- maybe is was a leg --- I really believe is was a Lynx - not sure what else it could be.)

I stop at the first lake I come across. I walk to the edge of the lake and I hear a howl and some strange noises. The howl occurs several time. I don't see anything in the lake or around it. Is it a loon, wolf or coyote -- not sure. But it was very eerie.

There are many wetlands and lakes along the road. I'm looking very carefully for moose and bear.

I stop at another lake and watch two kayakers paddle in.

In the distance I spot my favorite mountain peak of the day. Actually, I can't even see the peak as it is covered with a cloud blanket. Pretty cool and it's getting closer.

I also see storms ahead - oh no!

And I soon run into the storm. Thankfully I quickly drive thru it and am back in the sunlight!

Finally, I arrive in Atlin. 

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I head directly to the lake and enjoy the views of the lake and mountains.

The peak directly across the lake definitely had a glacier at one time - I can see the glacier path.

I see the MV Tarahne on the shore. She was built in 1916 and carried passengers/freight between Atlin and Scotia Bay until 1936.

On recommendation of a local, to head a little further down to road to Warm Bay.

Along the way, I stop at a pull-out to see the Llewellyn Glacier across the lake.

I stop at McKee Creek.

Next stop is Warm Bay -- and its not much warmer than the lake.

I continue a little further down the road to the Grotto. It a pretty secluded campground along Grotto Creek basically at the end of the maintained road.

But Grotto Creek is pretty.

I was really hoping for some animals especially down by the Grotto (there no traffic and no one around) but nothing. :(

On the way back on stop at the Hot Springs - this is what's flowing into Warm Bay. There's a nice little pond of warm water (yes, it's warm). There are Yellow Monkeyflowers, Water Cress and other flowers around the springs. There is a little creek that flows in/out of the springs.

I can see springs bubbling up.

Time to head back Atlin.

I make on last stop at the Glacier pull-out to see a Sulpher flying. It's has that same orange wingtip as the other day!

Then I spot a Bald Eagle flying above the lake. I laugh when I see a sign saying "Watch for Wildlife" - I am, I am! Where's the wildlife! :)

I take one last parting view of the lake before having lunch and heading back towards Whitehorse. 

No animals seen on the way out - but a beautiful drive!!

Instead of heading directly back to Whitehorse, I head west towards Carcross -- it's sunny I'd like to see Emerald Lake in the sun. It's a risk because there are many showers in the area.

I make it to Carcross Desert - I stop, I want to see it in the sunlight.

I get back to the car to head north to Emerald Lake and I can see it's raining to the north :( And when I get there, it's in a drizzle. Oh well, it was worth the chance.

Time to head to Whitehorse. Before I get there, I stop at Miles Canyon.

I cross the suspension bridge to the other sides. Lots of looping trail here - I thought able taking one but decided I'll walk about 100 yrds in both directions - just a short look-see.

The place is beautiful, especially the walls of the canyon -- they look like rock posts. From the information boards, those posts were formed long time ago as lava cooled and other geologic processes took place.

Instead of heading back to the Hwy to get to Whitehorse, I take the road along the Yukon River into downtown. The road is above the river and soon passes the big Hydro-Dam for the city. 

I know the city's Fish Ladder (a "ladder" of sorts that allows migrating fish, in this case salmon, to get past the dam). Whitehorse has a wooden fish ladder and it was recommended that I stop to see it.

I find parking in a small city parking area along the river. Lots of people walking around - it's the city's trail system. I start walking towards the hydro-dam as it should be the direction of the ladder.

I ask local couple for directions and they were nice enough to show me way over a pedestrian bridge, with views of the dam

And then to the right. They go left to complete their evening walk.

I get to the ladder - its pretty large!

I head into the Visitor's Center -- there's a viewing window. No salmon yet - they would be Yukon Chinook Salmon. But there's a small Arctic Grayling in the ladder.

I head outside and walk along the ladder -- pretty amazing how a fish can hop their way up and over.

I talk to a fisheries person who was working on getting the Grayling out -- she told me that the Salmon are just starting to arrive and are pooling at the bottom of the ladder. In a few days, she's expecting that one brave sole will start the procession up the ladder.

And here's the terrible part, they are only expecting 1600 fish!! They counted 28000 in 2 days while I was in Haines - 1600 total is horrible. And that's why the Chinook fishery there is closed in hopes of giving the fish a chance to recover. Hope they do.

Time to head back. As I am leaving, there are two canoes running the rapids from the dam. I'm assuming these guys are white water experienced as they are playing in the rapids. At one point, one of the canoes overturn and they perform a successful rescue. Pretty neat to watch.

That's the end of my day and what a great day  it was!!