Saturday, July 16, 2016, was our first full day in Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory, Canada. The 37 people that live in this community provide Yukon government services to residents in the area (school, highway maintenance, healthcare) and some tourism-related businesses (lodge, RV Park, gas station) along the Alaska Highway. The name of the town is derived from the 100 mph wind that blew down structures erected by the military during the highway construction in 1942.
We had driven through Destruction Bay on our way west to Alaska and we had looked forward to our return trip so we could stay a few days and explore. Our campground is just a few blocks from the shores of Kluane Lake, the largest lake contained entirely within Yukon. The Alaska Highway follows most of Kluane Lake's southern border, and the drive offers many spectacular views of the lake.
Aside from Kluane Lake, the real reason we wanted to stop was the chance to visit Kluane National Park and Preserve. The park is home to Canada’s highest peak - Mount Logan. It contains the largest non-polar ice field, dozens of glaciers, North America’s most genetically diverse grizzly population and, most importantly, two red chairs!
In each of Canada's national parks, they have placed two red chairs in the most unique and treasured places. One of our missions as we trek across Canada is to collect as many red chairs as we can. Kluane National Park and Preserve - check!
In order to reach the red chairs, we had to hike the Soldier's Summit Trail. This short half mile trail follows the old Alaska Highway grade to the point where the opening ceremony were held in 1942.
We were not the only ones using the trail that day. This friendly little coyote stopped and watched us as we trekked up to the chairs. Judging by the number of ground squirrel burrows we saw along the trail, we suspect he was more interested in catching his lunch.
For such a short trail, it offered great views of Kluane Lake.
We noticed an island in the lake that appeared to be within walking distance. The water is low this time of year and could make walking out to the island possible. We decided to have lunch on a deserted island!
On the way down from Soldier's Summit, we could see the new Alaskan Highway wind its way around the top of the lake.
We tentatively stepped out on the lake bed, feeling our way across and checking for quicksand or mucky mud!
The sand and gravel felt firm under our feet. While we didn't see any evidence of bears, we did notice Mr. Coyote's prints tracking back and forth across the sand. He apparently makes frequent trips out to the island.
We had the island firmly in our sights.
After a few good guesses, we found a social trail which led straight to the top! Here, Kathy shows us her style looking south up the Slim's River Valley --
-- and David stands proudly with the view north toward the rest of Kluane Lake:
From the middle of the lake, we could see we were surrounded by mountains.
From this distance, the glacial water had a beautiful color of milky blue.
If you look closely enough, you can see the Soldier's Summit viewpoint, with its tiny flagpoles and even tinier red chairs, where we sat earlier in the day:
Goodbye red chairs of Kluane National Park and Preserve!
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