Yukon is located in northwestern Canada and borders Alaska to the west and the Northwest Territories to the east. The Yukon, a territory in northwest Canada, is wild, mountainous, and sparsely populated. Water-Quality Data from the Yukon River Basin in Alaska and Canada [21] However, Yukkhana does not literally correspond to a Holikachuk phrase that means big river. Some historians estimated that about 8,000 people lived in the territory. Three miners Alfred Mayo, Jack McQuesten, and Arthur Harper having heard of these rumours, went to work for the Alaska Commercial Company as traders, although their main interest was in the gold prospects. [4] One estimate put the number at more than 9,000 people. One of three northern Canadian territories, the Yukon is situated in the northwest corner of Canada's continental mainland. Rent is particularly expensive and finding affordable housing is a challenge. While HAL takes your suitcase to and from the bus to the hotel for you and vice versa, note that you will need to put your packed suitcase outside your hotel room hours prior (if not the night before) to departure. The train travels round-trip from Skagway to the White Pass Summit, which is at mile marker 20.4 and has an elevation of 2,888 feet. It covers an area of 4,345 km. Our Canadian counterparts havent fished for at least 20 years, if not longer, Pitka said. In 1912 the Protestant Episcopal Church purchased the telegraph installation at Tanana Crossing and established St. Timothy's mission. [33] The agreement is implemented through the Yukon River Panel, an international body of 12 members, equal-parts American and Canadian, that advises managers of Yukon River fisheries concerning restoration, conservation, and coordinated management.[34]. Another important part of our journey to note is the midnight sun. [13], Yukon was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns instituted in response thereto. The generally accepted source of the Yukon River is the Llewellyn Glacier at the southern end of Atlin Lake in British Columbia. One of my favorite things was going for a walk or a jog along the Klondyke Millenium Trail, which is a recreational trail that hugs the Yukon River in the heart of Dawson. Due to the briefness of the stops -- youre only in most places a day or so -- there isn't much time to unpack and repack. Northern Tutchone occupied most of the central part of the Yukon, in the basins of the Pelly River and the Stewart River. "It's like you don't have that family reunion every year and you miss out on your crazy uncle or whatever that you haven't seen in awhile and it's always good to catch up with them.". [29][30] In 2010, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's Board of Fisheries issued the first-ever restriction for net mesh size on the Yukon, reducing it to 7.5 inches (190mm). Our guide was friendly, safe, and full of great information. 2. Since Horner hasn't been able to buy hertreats in Yukon, she has begun to make them herself. Approximately three quarters of the territorys population lives in the capital, Whitehorse. Alaska Highway Road Trip itinerary | Travel Yukon - Yukon, Canada A Helpful 7 Day Yukon Road Trip Itinerary You'll LOVE - The World Pursuit In 1870, the United Kingdom transferred the North-Western Territory to the government of Canada. [5] Another estimate showed that by the year 1830, the number of indigenous people was about 4,700. Kavitha George is Alaska Public Medias climate change reporter. The Yukon River covers a lot of ground on its nearly 2,000 mile journey to the sea. The construction of the dam flooded the White Horse Rapids, which gave the city its name, and created Schwatka Lake. After managing the fur trade at Fort McPherson, he returned to the Bell River, and followed the Porcupine to its juncture with Yukon River, the eventual site of Fort Yukon. During the Second World War, the Alaska Highway was built through the territory in order to facilitate the transportation of supplies to Alaska. Yukon River, major North American river that flows through the central Yukon territory of northwestern Canada and the central region of the U.S. state of Alaska.It measures 1,980 miles (3,190 km) from the headwaters of the McNeil River (a tributary of the Nisutlin River). [15][failed verification][citation needed] However, the Environmental Protection Agency does not list the Yukon River among its impaired watersheds, and water-quality data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows relatively good levels of turbidity, metals, and dissolved oxygen. Gold mining came back to the Klondike and other areas with the large rise in gold prices in the late 1970s. Pro Tip: We used Rocking Star Adventures to fly over Mount Logan, which is only visible from the deep interior. Yukon River - Yukon River - Alaska, Canada, Salmon: The Yukon River basin has remained sparsely populated in the nearly two centuries since it was first settled by Europeans. After our land tour portion concluded in Skagway, we boarded Holland America's Koningsdam and sailed to Glacier Bay and Ketchikan, along with a day of scenic cruising the Inside Passage before arriving at Vancouver. Many residents of Hainesalso travel to Whitehorse, and Haines Junction for groceries and social gatherings. February 7, 2022 Frozen ground preserved the body of this seven-week-old wolf pup, which lived during the Ice Age. The upper end of the Yukon River was originally known as the Lewes River until it was established that it actually was the Yukon. Government of Yukon In Canada's Yukon territory, towering pine and spruce. Estimates of the population of the Yukon Territory at the beginning of the 19th century vary greatly. Vuntut National Park Photo: Chris Kyrzyk, CC BY-SA 3.0. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. While youre downtown, learn about the Klondike and Gold Rush history of Whitehorse as well as its Indigenous culture at the thorough MacBride Museum of Yukon History, which was my favorite excursion in town. [26] This locale near the Seward Peninsula represents the near westernmost limit of the Black Spruce, Picea mariana,[27] one of the most widespread conifers in northern North America. After our short stint in Whitehorse, we ventured to Skagway in Alaska. Located in northwestern Canada and next door to Alaska, the Yukon is easily accessible from numerous gateway cities in Canada, and also offers the road trip of a lifetime. That means allowing enough fish to make it back to their spawning grounds to ensure a healthy salmon population and, in better years, ensuring an additional number of fish cross the border to allow a fair harvest up and down the river. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people braved numerous hardships to reach the Klondike gold fields in the winter and spring of 1897-1898 after the discovery became known in 1897. Each country has its own responsibilities under the treaty agreement, Linderman said. Be sure to budget for tipping your land tour guide (10% to 20% of your cost for the land portion) and have cash on-hand (USD and CAD are accepted). Imagine dirt roads, wooden boards for sidewalks, pastel store facades with the Gold Rush-style font and an overall "never in a hurry to get anywhere" atmosphere. The Yukon, is the westernmost and smallest of Canada' s three territories, located in Canada's Northwest. On the significance of modified mammoth bones from eastern Beringia, "The Geological Framework of the Yukon Territory", "Yukon and Confederation | the Canadian Encyclopedia", "Government of Canada Invests in Alternative Energy Research in Yukon", "Back to 'the' Yukon: The big return of a 3-letter word | CBC News", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_Yukon&oldid=1166597797, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 22 July 2023, at 16:15. After the purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867, the Alaska Commercial Company acquired the assets of the Russian-American Company and constructed several posts at various locations on the Yukon River. Yukon - Alaska - British Columbia Region | International Joint - IJC Geography of Yukon | The Canadian Encyclopedia Ours, for example, only included a brief stopover in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, while other itineraries can include a full one-night stay in the city where you have time to do excursions. Carmacks Photo: Poco a poco, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rubbing elbows with Alaska to the west and British Columbia to the south, the Yukon Territory is home to the biggest non-polar ice fields in the country and the highest mountains in Canada. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? It is only 137 km north of the Alaska/British Columbia border on the Klondike Highway to Skagway. An area of lower terrain in the south, near the 60th parallel, separates it from the mountainous areas of northern British Columbia. The MacBride Museum in Whitehorse is a must-see attraction that displays the Indigenous, Gold Rush, and modern history of this Yukon city. Yukon averages 6 inches of snow per year. Some longer itineraries are round-trip from Vancouver. The First Nations are now considered a fourth level of government and the specific nature of inter-governmental relationships is still being worked out. But heres the problem: when our runs are too small to meet everyones needs, we have to close.. Princess Cruises has cruise tours in Alaska too, but they don't stop in the Yukon anymore, making HAL the line to choose if you want to take this trip. Even better, it takes sustainability seriously by using a wood preservation technique from Japan called Shou Sugi-Ban.. After gold was discovered in the Klondike region in 1896, the area saw a large influx of prospectors enter into the region in search of gold. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. At about AD 800, a large volcanic eruption in Mount Churchill near the Alaska border blanketed the southern Yukon with ash. In the 1980s and 1990s, mining declined and the role of government increased considerably with larger and larger transfers from the federal government. Use this itinerary as a rough guide for planning your trip. We climbed and wound through snow-drenched mountains, touched then surpassed the clouds, admired pristine glacial creeks, saw the world's smallest desert (Carcross Desert) and practically drooled over vibrant, calm lakes like Emerald Lake. Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, Aleutians East Borough prepares for revenue loss as Trident builds new plant, 2 children were hurt after someone bear-sprayed a slide at Juneaus Twin Lakes Park, Dillingham man charged with murder in double homicide, Anchorage ombudsman recommends firing city IT director for role in election challenge. The Yukon still has the untamed, wild feel of its raging Klondike Gold . Nearly one-third of the population is of aboriginal origin. Pitka remembers busy childhood summers with her family at their fish camp about ten miles outside the village, helping her grandmother catch and process fish. Land of the midnight sun: a history of the Yukon. We couldnt wait to try reindeer -- a local specialty -- but found the bolognese in particular wasn't enjoyable, as the sauce was runny and lacked flavor. Immigrants who select the Yukon as their destination can expect to enjoy an active, but also peaceful lifestyle with many cultural events all year long. All rights reserved. Yukon Territory is bordered by the Beaufort Sea, the United States to the west, Northwest Territories to the east, and British Columbia to the south. Their shows featured highly talented singers and dancers, many of which performed Can-Can shows (which only got raunchier as the night progressed).