North Canol Road

er
Riv
an
NORTH
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t
ou
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M
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R
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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
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th C
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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
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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
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u
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M
a
cm
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7
9
8
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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
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NW
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YUK
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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.