North Canol Road
Transcription
North Canol Road
er Riv an NORTH S t ou h M ac l il m R o ss R iv Canol Road er 6 MT. SHELDON (2,114m) Sheldon Lake 5 ➌ Field MT. RIDDELL (1,114m) Dragon Lake – km 338 Lake 4 This is one of the best spots along the road to catch jackfish, trout and grayling. Robert Riddell trapped in this area around 1898. Ten years later, he guided Joseph Keele of the Geological Survey of Canada as he mapped the headwaters of the Pelly, Ross and Gravel rivers. Lewis Lake o Prev ive st R r Mount Sheldon ➏ 8 Dragon Lake ➎ Sheldon Lake – km 363 3 er 2 tt Prevost Canyon O Sara Neilson The Kaska name for Mt Sheldon is Tekêdenı’a, meaning “standing alone”. Cr ee k er ❹ Field Lake and Lewis Lake Riv Camping is available at Dragon Lake.This site is not maintained; please leave no trace. Jackfish Lake s Ros (1,828m) Sheldon Lake was named after Charles Sheldon, a big game hunter and naturalist, who travelled the area in the early 1900s. In 1943, there was a trading post and a sawmill at the lake. This is a good place to camp. These lakes were named for Poole Field and Clement Lewis who operated a small trading post at Ross River in the early 1900s. Sheldon, Field and Lewis lakes are excellent spots to fish for jackfish. km 222.5 A car ferry crosses the Pelly River from May to October during the day. The nearby community of Ross River offers a variety of services and supplies. Nor ➊ Pelly River Crossing – Ta y Lake A N V I L (1,676m) The Ross River suspension bridge was built to carry the 10 cm steel Canol oil pipeline over the Pelly River. You can arrange a fly-in trip from Sheldon Lake to the headwaters of Ross River and paddle from Itsi Lakes to the Pelly River. The Prevost Canyon area is Class III white water. ano l R th C o R A N G E ad ➋ Ross River (1,980m) Orchie Lake YUKON Marjorie Lake Eyan Lué’ Lake Dena C h o Trai l FARO / CARMACKS e iv R ss o Ta g e s L u g é ’ L a k e 1 R The 50.8 km Dena Cho Trail runs north of the Pelly River from Ross River to Faro. It was a traditional route for the Kaska people travelling to Mount Mye. There are four visitors’ cabins along the way. The first one is 11.5 km from Ross River. This is a wilderness trail so be prepared. Notify someone of your expected return date. r Dena Cho Trail – km 225 Pelly River ROSS RIVER Robert mp Ca b Hig ell h y wa WATSON LAKE Map area this side In 1943, the U. S. Army and their contractors built the Canol Road as a “tote” or supply road for the Canol, or Canadian Oil pipeline. This short-lived oil pipeline was built to supply a secure, domestic source of fuel. It ran from Camp Canol, near the oil wells at Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, to Johnsons Crossing, Yukon. The North Canol is a seasonal road that provides access to the wilderness of eastern central Yukon and the Canol Road Heritage Trail. The road passes by several big lakes and the spectacular Itsi Range of mountains. You will be travelling through the traditional territory of the Kaska Dena. The North Canol stretches 232 km from Ross River to Macmillan Pass at the Northwest Territories border. It is very steep and narrow in places. The road can be slippery when it rains and you are advised to pull over until the surface dries. There are no services along the North Canol. Canol Road N ORT H 13 Keele Peak (not visible from the road) This is Yukon’s highest peak outside of Kluane National Park and Reserve. The glaciated summit is a popular site for experienced climbers. S Hess Mountains I N 9 South Macmillan River A T S S M The 355 km Canol Road Heritage Trail extends from here to Norman Wells, Northwest Territories where most people start their hike. It is a difficult trail as many of the bridges are washed out. L O G A N 11 No Y N S E L W A NWT border 11 Army Vehicle Dump – km 437 S T A I N M O U N These artifacts are protected under Yukon’s Historic Resources Act. Lak e R A N G E ler Ful ITSI PEAK (2,667m) I T S I Itsi Range 10 10 Itsi Creek – km 408.6 Itsi Lakes John Lake an Riv er A North of this point the creeks are heavily mineralized. Map area this side S o u th M a cm il l 7 9 8 R o ss R iv e r Yukon Government photo # 9-02-13 The U.S. Army returned in 1948 to remove their Canol pipeline assets. The remaining equipment and buildings were salvaged by locals until the Canadian government cleaned up the sites between 1974 and 1976. Itsi is from the Kaska word Ihts’ı, meaning wind.You may see mountain goats if you hike into the Itsi Range highlands. www.tc.gov.yk.ca Boulder Creek Relay Station – km 387 Cultural Services Branch o Can l Roa d rth This is the site of a camp and a pump station for the Canol pipeline. Each station had storage tanks, barracks, equipment buildings and a power house. The mobile “wanagon” on the east side of the road was used to house the construction crew. YUKON 12 Yukon/ Northwest Territories Border – km 462.5 Tourism and Culture KEELE PEAK (2,971m) H Elliot Maintenance Camp – km 387 12 MACMILLAN PASS (1,366m) Keele Peak Photos by Doug Bishop except as noted. For more information contact Historic Sites at (867) 667-3458 N M O U NW T YUK ON E 13 ➑ Pump Station #7 and ➐ Mining Road NOT RECOMMENDED for recreational travel O U N T A I N S The Macmillan River was named by Robert Campbell for Hudson’s Bay Company Chief Factor James McMillan. The river is an exciting trip for intermediate whitewater paddlers. You may see eagles, geese, loons and a variety of ducks.