HEADING FROM HAINES JUNCTION

South to Haines, Alaska on the Haines Highway

Shortly after leaving Haines Junction, heading south on the Haines Highway, the road begins to climb. Looking back at the Village, one is met with an expansive view of the Shakwak Trench. The western edge of this wide, flat valley, marks the Denali Fault System–a fault in the earth’s crust that stretches from south of Dezadeash Lake, north to the Alaska border. Massive glacial lakes have filled this valley on a number of occasions.

km 20Viewpoint Stop for a splendid view overlooking Kathleen Lake. A plaque is placed here to commemorate Kluane National Park and Reserve as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

km 26 Kathleen Lake Campground/Day Use Area Kathleen Lake is a wonderful spot for a picnic, with a wheelchair accessible picnic shelter, outhouses and a boardwalk. It is also the trailhead for King’s Throne, a popular hike. Five kilometres one way leads up and into a bowl–excellent for viewing and photographing wildflowers. Hikers can continue on to the peak and view some of the ‘big peaks’ in the interior of the park.

km 43 Rock Glacier Interpretive Trail (0.6 km one way) Walk to and stand on a rock glacier. Interpretive signs explain this landform. From the end of the trail there is a superb view of Dezadeash Lake.

km 51 Dezadeash Lake Campground This large, shallow lake borders the highway. A shelter and boat launch make this a good spot for a picnic or an opportunity to fish for lake trout, whitefish, northern pike, grayling and burbot.

There are a number of First Nations sites on the Haines Highway. Refer to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations website: http://www.cafn.ca/