Sam McGee Trail

During our Canada Day long weekend in Carcross I was able to sneak in my second solo hike of the season.  My wife and daughter were joining me later that night,  so I headed out bright and early to find the trailhead for Sam McGee trail;  also known as Mountain Hero. 

I had been really looking forward to this hike for a while.  I heard that the views from the summit were spectacular,  and the area is also steeped in history. At the turn of the 20th century the mountains in this area were prospected for silver.  Once mines were established at the higher elevations,  tramways were built to move the miners pay down to Tagish Lake before being loaded onto stern wheelers.   Today, there are a few tram towers and guy-wires still standing, and the odd bucket left abandoned, but the forest is slowing reclaiming her ground.  

To reach the trailhead, you head 17 kilometres south of Carcross on the South Klondike Highway towards Skagway, Alaska.   Once you pass the Conrad Campground, you continue for several kilometres more until you pass an abandoned tramway tower on the left side of the highway.  Just past this point there is a gravel road on the left, where you can turn off and park.  From there you cross over the road, head down the ditch embarkment and you’ll see the trailhead marker.  

Once I got on the trail I hiked through the forest until I reached a log bench at about the two kilometre mark.  This is a great place to stop for a quick rest and recharge before the elevation starts to really increase.   This hike is nine kilometres return, and you’ll make about 2000+ feet of elevation gain, but your prize,  aside from the fresh air, pristine nature and the tranquility of the forest is the stunning views once you reach the alpine.  

Your views are largely obscured by trees on the ascent, but once you break the tree line you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the rolling alpine, and the towering mountains lining the valley.  To the East you get a stunning view of Windy Arm on Tagish Lake, while to the Northwest, the rugged views of Montana Mountain are awe inspiring.  

My anticipation of this hike aside,  I must admit some nervousness venturing out alone into the remote backcountry so early in the day.  Bears are very active in the early morning and early evening, so I was on high alert for an encounter.   My experience has been that bears tend to avoid you if they can hear you coming so the last thing I wanted to do was catch one by surprise.  Luckily, I avoided any unwanted encounters, but here’s a link if you would like to be a little more prepared for possible bear interactions:  http://www.env.gov.yk.ca/environment-you/bearsafety.php

During this hike,  the views were certainly worth the effort,  but even more so,  I felt a sense of accomplishment.   When I was younger, I once had a wilderness instructor who liked to say that hiking is 90% mental and only 10% physical,  and I couldn’t agree more.  The body will follow where the mind directs it to go,  and sometimes,  it is that willful intent that allows you to make the final push.  I’ve found with solo hiking that mindful intent is the most important factor.  When you don’t have anyone else to push, or distract you,  its just you and your own thoughts that influence your ability to achieve the objective, and on this particular day, mental commitment was the key to a great hike.