Interpretive Nature Hikes (All Ages)
Canyon City - historical nature hike, offered twice daily from Sunday to Thursday (NOT on Friday and Saturday) , about two hours long, click for details and where to meet. Goes from July 4th - late August.
Special Hikes- these hikes feature Guest Biologists, Naturalists, Bird Specialists, Anthropologists, Historians, Cultural Story Tellers and more. There will also be hikes aimed at families with children of all ages, strollers, and those with reduced mobility. Special hikes start June 27th.
Vision: To provide quality natural and historical interpretation for the public in order to develop an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
Goals:
- To foster a ‘sense of place’ in hopes of creating environmental responsibility.
- To engage children and adults in learning about their relationship with the natural world through environmental education.
- To provide enjoyable recreational opportunities for the public that allow for the exchange of information about the Yukon environment.
- To provide a high quality service that captures the interest and participation of tourists and locals alike.
- To increase the profile of YCS as environmental educators.
- To expand the Leave No Trace messaging to develop YCS into a Leave No Trace education hub.
Our Canyon City Hikes are offered July 4 until late August each summer, but the Special Hikes start June 27th.
Note: * We are no longer able to offer rides to Trail Heads as it is against our new Safety Policy. Sorry! But, Join our Ride Share E-List and maybe we can find you a ride. For shorter hikes of 0.6 KM or 1.6 KM, guides will indicate return routes. For larger groups, we encourage notifying YCS in advance at (867) 668-5678, or by email at ycshikes@ycs.yk.ca. See you on the trails…
Canyon City
Summer 2010 Hikes will be held Sunday-Thursday (NOT on Friday and Saturday), starting July 4, and ending late August.
Hikes will start at the Miles Canyon suspension bridge at 10 AM and 2 PM.
Canyon City was once a favored First Nations fish camp, then, during the gold rush of 1898, it filled with stampeders, stopped on their way to fortune by the galloping rapids of the Yukon River.
Join our Interpreters as they follow what's left of the Whitehorse Rapids Tramway through picturesque Miles Canyon. Our knowledgeable guides will take you from the canyon's geological beginnings millions of years ago, to the last ice age, the flora and fauna we find their today, and the traditions of its indigenous inhabitants, migrant gold-seekers and more.
DIRECTIONS FROM TOWN:
- SOUTH on Robert Service Way
- LEFT onto Miles Canyon Road
- RIGHT at Stop Sign, follow Miles Canyon Road
- LEFT into Miles Canyon Parking Lot.
DIRECTIONS FROM ALASKA HWY:
- Between Mountain Ridge Motel and Pioneer RV Park SOUTH of downtown Whitehorse, turn onto Miles Canyon Road. Turn RIGHT into Miles Canyon Parking Lot.
RATING: Approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.1 miles). Easy. Takes about two hours.
Special Hikes
Join the Yukon Conservation Society and Special Guests for a variety of natural history themed FREE guided hikes! These hikes are an excellent opportunity to get out and explore our wonderful wilderness city. Don't miss out! Call 668-5678 for more information.
Canyon City Herb Walk
SUNDAY, JULY 25, 10 AM:
Meet at the Miles Canyon Bridge
Learn about edible and medicinal plants in your own backyard! Meet expert herbalist and aromatherapist Bev Gray for a two-hour hike to Canyon City and discover just how widespread the uses of Yukon plants are. For more information contact Yukon Conservation Society at 668-5678, ycshikes@ycs.yk.ca or www.yukonconservation.org.
Whitehorse Hydro Dam Walk
MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 10 AM:
Meet at the Robert Service Campground parking lot
Learn about the Yukon's current energy situation and future energy scenerios from the environmenal perspective. We will be taking a gentle walk from the campground, over the Yukon River, past the fish ladder and up to Schwatka Lake.
McIntyre Creek Walk
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2:00 – 3:00 PM: Meet where the Fish Lake Road meets the Alaska Highway. Park on the Fish Lake Road.
McIntyre Creek is one of Whitehorse’s few remaining large east/west wildlife corridors, with coyotes, fox, moose and bear moving through. It is also a salmon spawning stream, and one of Whitehorse’s most popular bird watching sites. Join Tammy Hamilton from the Friends of McIntyre Creek to learn about, and enjoy this wonderful area.
Stories on Grey Mountain
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12: Time and meeting place TBA.
Join local storyteller Nicole Bauberger as she weaves her tails on a winding hike up Grey Mountain. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy along with the view and stories once we reach the top. Don’t forget your mug for hot chocolate!
Pond Insect Walk
SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2:00 – 4:00 PM: Meet in the Fish Ladder Parking Lot in Riverdale. Carpool to Hidden Lake
Bring out the whole family and learn about all sorts of buzzing, wriggling, swimming and crawling critters. Join local biologist Syd Cannings on a search for interesting insects in Hidden Lakes. Please bring rubber boots or shoes that can get wet!
Yoga Hike
SUNDAY, August 22, 10 AM: Meet at Grey Mountain Elementary School
Get off your mat and into the wild! Join certified Iyengar Yoga instructor, former plant naturalist, and long-time Yukon resident, Richard Mueler on a two-hour hike to the Hidden Lakes in an aim to unite the body, mind and spirit. This hike is suitable for all levels, beginners welcome!
