Yukon Transportation: Trains, Planes, and Dogsleds?

Up in the Yukon, I took some fairly unexpected modes of transportation to incredible places in the Yukon River area, Miles Canyon, Mount Sima, Montana Mountain, Fraser, Bennett, Carcross and beyond. One of the more remarkable aspects of the Yukon is its virginity; roads don’t go everywhere, and you always seem to have to switch vehicles to get to the best view, the best camping spot, the best chance of encountering wildlife, the best experience. While I did more than just ride things, and though there are plenty of stories to tell, I’ll provide just a shot or two from/of each vessel I tested here with the exception of airplanes and cars, though notably, I did ride around in an actual GMC Yukon most of the time, no joke. Links to forthcoming articles will be … you know … forthcoming.

Here’s Cosmo the Curious Horse,

and here’s a hint of what you can see if you take a ride with SIR North Country Ranch.

We took this massive canoe down the Yukon River:

And into Miles Canyon, of Klondike gold rush fame:

We took ATVs up into the mountains for some spectacular views I’m saving for articles — but I will note that Yukon Wide Adventures‘ ATVs are not only eco-conscious, but quite comfortable and easy to operate. Even this child can do it:

(Kidding, that’s the owner’s daughter — she does ride, but with her dad or brother.) Another fabulous way to get around the Yukon, or at least Mount Sima? Chairlift. What a view!

And you can get down by Zipline at the new Wildplay:

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can mountain bike with Cabin Fever Adventures — but I warn you, it’s hard (I flew over my handlebars at one point while going about 1 mph), and here’s what my leg looked like afterward:

And the men in my group:

One of the most fabulous experiences of my time in the Yukon was hands-down the White Pass & Yukon Route train. You start in what is basically pre-Aslan Narnia, then whiz down the mountains through the Southern Lakes, glacial lakes with the most unbelievable, Caribbean-like colors.

I swear I didn’t mess with the color of that photo. Last but not least, one can go for a summer dogsled ride (the dogsled is on wheels), which is really a thrill. A champion musher runs the show at Caribou Crossing Trading Post, and the summer runs both keep the dogs in shape and in kibble:

I nearly left with an Alaskan husky of my own.

I also golfed, I went in the Takhini hot springs and I stayed at the most wonderful French Inn-style lodge (Takhini River Lodge). But that and more are for another time. There’s much writing to do!

Annie was a guest of the Canadian Tourism Commission, but opinions, nonsense, and other notions expressed here are her own.