The Klondike Highway and an Awesome Hike!

Our camp on the tide flats near Dyea

We took a quick tour of the slide cemetery. For some reason the cemetary reminded GirzzLee that he should call folks at "Work" to see how things were going. Enough about that....
We had to stop and get a picture of the Chilkoot Trail head sign. Yukon Johann wants to go again.

We left Skagway and all the tourists behind to go find a hike. Again, Our buddy Shawn pointed us to an awesome hike off the Klondike near International Falls. The peak we were heading for was called Feather Peak.

Let us tell you friends, there was not a cloud in the sky. In fact as we write this, there still isn't a cloud to be found.

The falls are wonderful. There were many of them.

As we got higher, the views in the meadows and the reflecting ponds were enough to bring us to our knees.

Did we mention the great weather!

We saw some interesting rocks, like this metamorphic wonder.

The reflection ponds were all over the place.

At the end of the big bowl we slipped through a narrow slot.

Behind GrizzLee, in the valley below, lies the Chilkoot trail. We were about 2000 feet above it.

The views.... ah the views.

The glaciers hadn't been gone that long as we found erratic boulders lying all over the place. This one was perched upon another smaller rock. And no, we didn't stage this. In fact the rock is bigger than it looks and is actually bonded to each other through lichens.

All in all a great day. We met a local on the tundra who told us to be careful as there was a dead moose nearby. We never found the moose and it was probably better that we didn't.

That evening we pulled into Tutshi Lake and reflected on our day. This hike was, without a doubt, one of the best hikes we've ever done. We took well over 200 pictures.

The glacial views, the tundra and the weather made for an incredible sight. Thanks for the recommendation Shawn! We owe you a beer or two.. maybe a six pack!

We now begin our journey home. It will be sad to leave the Yukon once again. We vow to return again and again and again.

Stay tuned for more adventure as we head down the AlCan Highway.

Haines Hwy: The Perfect Drive on a Perfect Day

On a sunny day, one would be hard pressed to find a prettier drive than the road to Haines.

After spending the night at Lake Dezadeash we had the most incredible weather. Hardly a cloud and it was WARM!
The views along the highway were magnificent. We found ourselves stopping every mile or two. In fact, during one stretch, we realized that we had only driven 25 miles within a 2 hour period. If we were to makes the Haines-to-Skagway ferry on time, we were going to have to pick up the pace.

But oh.. the views!!

More, and more....

More.... bring it on!!!
And even more!

Finally we make it to Haines.

The Salmon were running and after checking in for our ferry, we took a trip to Chilkoot Lake. The bears were out in droves. At one point we witnessed a crowd herding a Grizzly towards the river and one crazy guy followed the bear down. After the bear got its fish it ran back towards the crowd (one gal was on crutches!) and the crowd began to run in a panic. The bear headed up to the woods and disappeared. We witnessed this all from the safety of our camper. It is a wonder more folks don't get mauled.

In the evening we took a wonderful ferry ride to Skagway.

We passed many cruise ships departing Skagway.

That night, about 11:30 pm, we tucked away into the tide flats near the abandoned town of Dyea, the start if the Chilkoot Trail.

Whitehorse to Haines Junction

We left Whitehorse to head over to Haines. After spending a very late night at our buddy's place, Shawn, we headed out to Haines Junction.

We didn't go far when we saw a herd of nice deer.

Near Haines Junction we stooped to check out the historic Canyon Creek Bridge. A gent on a Harley came by asking for fuel. He was out and needed a half gallon to get to Haines Jct. We directed him to a nearby residence where he got gas and went on his way.

There was a cemetery just above the bridge. Classic western views.

The views toward Haines Jct were getting better and better. After a stop for gas and ice cream we headed up Kings Throne, intending to summit the peak. A deed we missed out on our last visit this way. Unfortunately, the wind was horrendous and the sand was blowing pretty hard so we settled for a long rest in the cirque

Yukon Johann enjoying the sights.

Classic views. Panoramic view from the throne.

View from the lake.

Did we mention the weather was fantastic.

Tok to Haines with Dawson Dan and Klondike Kate

The road from Tok to Haines Junction was amazing. I wanted to stop and take pictures every mile.

Lake Kluane

This is Lake Kathleen, where we camped for two nights. It was very windy in the evening - we didn't take our canoe out.

A passing thundershower added drama to the mountains.

The next day we took a steep hike to the King's Throne, near Lake Kathleen.

This is our campsite at Lake Kathleen.

Our view from the King's Throne.

On the way to Haines, we observed this moose enjoying her breakfast.

As we neared the coast, we saw the evidence of more snowfall in the many glaciers.

We took a short hike through a meadow in an area where we could view about ten glaciers.

At Haines, we found a wonderful bed and breakfast in an old officer's quarters similar to Fort Warden. Our room has a view of the water with high moutains on the far side. Since there were very few restaurants open on Sunday, our hosts invited us to join them at their salmon barbecue. We met a number of very interesting people, both locals and visitors. Later in the evening we went out toward Lake Chilkoot, hoping to see grizzlies feeding on Salmon. We didn't see any bears, but the salmon were definitely there. we had a lovely view over the lake.

Today we will take the ferry to Skagway and then drive inland. We are hoping the fog will lift.

Orville W. Krueger (December 22, 1943 - June 28, 2009)

Being away from home, one misses family and loved ones. My uncle Oriville, brother of my father (Lee Krueger Sr.) passed away while we were away on adventure. Oriville will be missed. His sense of humour, hometown values and good nature will always be remembered. His obituray is presented here as it found at http://www.brockhausfuneralhome.com/index.cfm
Team RubiKon encourages all to view a video tribute on the website mentioned here.

Click here to view Tribute Video Graveside funeral services for Orville W. Krueger, age 65, of Orchard, will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at Hope-Enterprise Cemetery in rural Orchard with Pastor Terry Huber officiating. Arrangements are by Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton.
He died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.
Orville William Krueger, son of Leon and Ruby (Kimbel) Krueger, was born December 22, 1943 at Foster, NE. He attended rural school near Foster and Pierce High School. On July 3, 1966, he was married to Lillian Rothleutner at Foster, NE. Four children were born to them, Steve, Rodney, Fricha, and Clayton. At the time of their marriage they lived in Ewing where Orville worked on a dairy farm. They later moved to a farm east of Creighton. He started his own dairy farming career north of Center until moving to their present dairy farm west of Creighton, where he farmed until his retirement.
Orville was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Bazile Mills and also a member of the North American Fisherman Club. He enjoyed fishing, playing horseshoes, and loved to play cards.
He died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD at the age of 65 years, 6 months, and 6 days.
Survivors include his wife Lillian Krueger; his mother, Ruby Krueger of Norfolk; sons, Steve and partner, Missy Sukup and sons, Brandon and William, of Verdigre, Rodney and wife RaChelle and their daughters, Jeannette, Kaliegh, and Lacey of Orchard, Clayton and Betty of Verdigre; daughter, Fricha Sully Lempke and her husband John and son, Dustin, of Fremont, NE; brothers, Edward and Edwin and their families, both of Columbus; sister in law, Eileen Turner and family of Canada; and many friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Leon Krueger; brother, Lee; son in law, Ronnie Sulley; and grandson, Logan Krueger.
There will not be a luncheon following the services. At the wishes of Orville, we will gather for a remembrance at the Winnetoon Community Hall.
Please visit www.brockhausfuneralhome.com to view tribute video.

Pelly Farm, Pelly Crossing and more of the Yukon River

Leaving Keno City GrizzLee and Yukon Johann drove through Elsa, Mayo, Stewart Crossing (crossing the Stewart River) and ended up in Pelly Crossing (Where the Klondike Hwy crosses the Pelly River).
We were already really dirty from the drive up to Keno City

We stopped for a visit in the Big Jonathan house. The Selkirk Nation historic display. The Selkirk First Nations are incredible folks and they are working hard to preserve their Northern Tutchone heritage. Pelly Crossing was the 3rd home since the Tutchone left Ft Selkirk to go to Minto when the road to Mayo and Keno City were being built. The Selkirk First Nation community was established as a ferry crossing at Pelly and a highway construction camp when the Klondike Highway from Whitehorse,YT to Dawson City,YT was built in 1950. With the completion of the Pelly River bridge and the road to Dawson City, sternwheeler traffic on the Yukon River came to a halt and thus marked the end of a romantic chapter in the Yukon. Fort Selkirk, located near the confluence of Pelly and Yukon Rivers, was virtually abandoned. Ft Slekirk, as previously mentioned, holds a special place in our hearts and souls. It is, in our opinion, the spiritual center of the Yukon... and quite possibly all of Canada.

GirzzLee and Yukon Johann took the advice of our 1st Nation friends and toured Pelly farm near the junction of the Yukon and Pelly Rivers (near where the Hudson Bay Company, Robert Cambell set up the first trading post). The farm is historically significant as it was an important food source for gold rushers and Stern Wheelers. The old Whitehorse to Dawson Stage route passed right through the farm. It is located in one of the most scenic valleys in all of the Yukon with Basslt cliffs on one side and the incredibly scenic Pelly Irver on the other side. The farm is HUGE. It was purchased by some friends in the 50's on a whim as the need for the farm dwindled as Sternwheeler traffic ceased on all rivers in the Yukon. One of the owners is still working the farm (Hugh). At 81 years old Hugh is still at it with his family. We got the skinny on how to generate non-frozen feed for cattle in an area that sees winter temperatures well below -40 degrees for weeks and how to store food underground in natures own freezer. We also learned of the ingenious ways to get well water in an area still hardened by permafrost and only sees about 3 inches of rain in the summer and 3-4 feet of very, very dry snow. Snow that is so dry, it is like walking through loose grain in a grain bin. We spent the night there and were welcomed by the family. They told tales of a nearby volcano and the interaction of bears, wolves and cattle. Farming in this part of the world is much, much different than any place I have ever seen before. Despite its importantance and relatively historical high traffic area, we find it odd that this place is all but forgotten now and is really situated in the "middle of no mans land".

Upon leaving Pelly Crossing, we began to drift towards the Yukon River. We stopped at the infamous Five Finger rapids and took a stroll down to them. They sure look tamer from above..

The views of the Yukon River were incredible from here. The lighting, the greenery and the river made for some impressive views.

The scenery went on and on. The veiws from the Klondike Hwy were unbelievable.

Five Fingers rapids from afar.
A panoramic view of the rapids. It looks even better in larger size.

Another panoramic view from a hillside above the Klondike Hwy.

The views of the river got really nice as we got closer to Carmacks. A bit of bushwacking and bear scare tactics got these neat peaks into the wildness that is the Yukon.

Yet another view of the RubiKon Warrior and the Kayak in tow on the Klondike. Getting even dirtier still with all the gravel and dust on the roads. The brown all over the camper looks as if it was painted on. It was a constant battle to keep the light lenses clean.

Another view of the Klondike Hwy. What a drive.

Again, we peck our way through the wild hillsides, ever vigilante of bears, and look onto vistas of the Yukon River.

This panoramic view really shows how the river snakes it way through the wilderness. It seemingly wants to wrap around on itself... and does in many instances creating large sloughs, islands and sandbars. GrizzLee wished that he could start the paddled trip anew. It is an awesome and wild river filled with significant history like no other he has seen.