Click here for others Yukon Stories!
The Tombstones is a territorial park North of Dawson City in the Yukon. This 2,200 Hectare park was established in June 25, 2009 once the management agreement between the
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon governments was established. This park is remote.
You even pass a sign saying “Now leaving 911 calling area”. The trail into Grizzly lake is established but rough. Trails beyond Grizzly Lake are best described as routes. While the area has seen an increase in visitors, mostly due to the Tombstone Interpretive Center very few people manage to make the trek to this remote wilderness area.
Since we are not real avid hikers, I was concerned about my footwear. I didn’t
want to wear my heavy hiking boots, having heard that some people use running
shoes in this terrain, but I wanted more support then that. So I went to Kintec
and bought a pair of North Face light hikers with a good insole. Thank god
I did! My feet didn’t hurt at all, I suffered from no blisters and my shoes
would dry over night! They offered me enough support over the rough terrain
but I do have pretty strong ankles from years of playing soccer and currently
practice Aikido. If you are confident with your agility, have strong ankles
then light hikers will be fine, otherwise heavier hiking boots are a good idea.
I don’t think I would like to use running shoes since the soles are quite soft
and you do have to jump from rock to rock on parts of the trail, the rocks
are not always flat.
We pick Bryce up in Whitehorse and start the 500km drive to Dawson City.
We make the obligatory stop at the Breburn Lodge to buy a couple of cinnamon
buns that will fuel us for the next two days.
We have dinner in Dawson and quickly leave as the masses enter for the Dawson
Music Fesival. We head to the Dempster Hwy. Built as the Road to Resources
between Dawson and Inuvik. This 736km Hwy was started in 1958, then after some
delays was completed in 1979.
The trail head. We start our hike after visiting the Interpretive center to
pick up our permits and bear proof canisters.
The trail used to be more bushy. I pity the early pioneers of this area…
We break out of the bushes and enter the Alpine at about 1400m
Tombstone range looms in the distance, from the ridge you can see our destination
– Grizzly Lake.
The trail is pretty rocky.
The views are spectacular! The weather was moody!
The Marmots kept an eye on us all along the route.
Grizzly Lake
Crossing Grizzly Creek
Looking up towards Glissage Pass, the route to Divide Lake.
Grizzly Lake
Rainbow over Bryces tent
Really happy to bring the Yukon Brewery Ice Fog
Topped with Chocolate from Lee!
Bear proof out house!
Day 1 – 7 hours of hiking, 11km.