This Canada Day long weekend we were looking for a get away that wasn’t too far from home in order to meet some family commitments, and Carcross presented the perfect opportunity to enjoy the weekend, and allow me to kick off my first blog specifically highlighting a Yukon community.
Carcross, Yukon is approximately an hour southeast of Whitehorse on the South Klondike Highway. It was originally named Caribou Crossing until 1904, when the name was changed to alleviate confusion over mail delivery with another community. The original name reflected the vast number of caribou that would migrate through the area until the herd was decimated around the time of the gold rush. Today, Carcross is developing a reputation as a world class mountain biking destination, and caters to tourist coming up from the cruise ships that arrive in Skagway Alaska.
If you’re coming from Whitehorse, the drive to Carcross will take you through some breath taking mountain scenery, and there is a hidden gem along the way. Forty kilometres from Whitehorse you’ll pass by a rest area called Robinson Roadhouse. If you pull in, there is a trail head that is hard to see from the road, but it will open up into an expansive clearing that has a number of old log buildings which are the last remaining testament to this popular waypoint for weary travellers in the early part of the 20th century. I’ve always been surprised that this spot isn’t better advertised.
You’ll also pass by Emerald Lake, and you absolutely have to stop at this lookout to view the beautiful emerald waters that sparkle in the sunlight. The colour is the result of calcification (marl) on the lake bottom that reflects the brilliant colour of the water.
From there you continue towards the community and will pass by the Carcross desert two kilometres north of town. Often dubbed the smallest desert in the world, it is actually the remains of a long dried glacial lake. Measuring approximately one mile across, it is a really nice walk to hike the perimeter and explore the area. I recommend going barefoot; the sand is actually nicer than many beaches I’ve been to in the tropics.
The community of Cacross itself is within the traditional territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, and over the last few years they have built a spectacular cultural centre on the shore line as you drive into town. I’m not sure what their ultimate plans are for the building, but in the lobby they have some really amazing wood carved statues, which makes for a beautiful display. Carcross/Tagish First Nations is also working with the Yukon Government to bring back the caribou herd, with some very positive results; in one of my previous blogs we went on a snowmobile rally this winter for some wildlife viewing in search of this very herd.
This community is undergoing an amazing transformation. When I first visited the Yukon as a teenager, there was really nothing to speak of in Carcross. A small community, surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains, but nothing really to draw people to the area. Over the past few years, the community has partnered with various levels of government to develop a tourism hub, which has included the development of their mountain bike and hiking trails, as well as the construction of the Carcross Commons.
In all my travels, the Carcross Commons ranks high for me as a really amazing idea. It is essentially a large outdoor deck that has small micro businesses that line the outskirts of the central area. Along with a visitor centre, the small businesses for the most part are local artisans that are selling all kinds of arts, foods, and souvenirs. The overall vibe of the area is very laid back, artsy and relaxing. You can grab a coffee and wander the shops, watch the Whitepass train roll by, walk down to the beach at Lake Bennet or just chill out.
While we were there, I also took the opportunity to do my second solo hike of the summer on the Sam McGee Trail, also known as Mountain Hero. In my next blog post I’ll share with you some of the spectacular hiking this area has to offer but in the meantime, I recommend a visit to Carcross if you’re coming to the Yukon. This community continues to grow and develop itself as a destination niche, but for now it’s still maintaining the quaint, authentic Yukon feel that I love; and I for one hope they never lose that atmosphere.
