One of the most beautiful places in Canada
We have been to many beautiful places, and Tombstone Territorial Park has to be one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Established in 1999 the park protects 2,200 square km of the Ogilvie Mountains and Blackstone Uplands.
Leaving the Klondike River Campground on the Klondike Highway east of Dawson City, we backtracked on our previous day’s route to Dempster Junction to make our way north on the Dempster Highway. The road quickly transitioned to gravel, but the road conditions were good and we had no problems hauling the fifth wheel up the highway.
We got a nice site close to the North Klondike River that was to be home for the next five nights.
At the 50km point on the Dempster we entered Tombstone Territorial Park. After 72 km we reached our destination and pulled into the Tombstone Mountain Campground. We got a nice site close to the North Klondike River that was to be home for the next five nights. Every window provided a view of mountains that a so different from what we are accustomed to back home.
The park Interpretive Centre is located 320m from the campground and is well worth a visit. The staff were friendly and helpful, the fire was always on and there is normally a pot of Labrador Tea simmering away for visitors to try. The interpretive Centre staff also put on daily activities for the campground, so we got to know them quite well.
The highlight of our stay was hiking Grizzly Lake Trail to the viewpoint.
There is lots to see and do in Tombstone. The highlight of our stay was hiking Grizzly Lake Trail to the viewpoint. This 6 km return hike takes you up to a spectacular view of Tombstone Mountain and Mount Monolith. It is an easy 2 km, followed by another km of steeper rocky terrain. Ruby is still just a puppy so she couldn’t do the entire distance on her own, so she transitioned to the backpack for the steep uphill and the entire decent back to the trail head.
Driving the Dempster to the north boundary of the park one sees dramatic changes in topography as the land opens up and changes to tundra. Two Moose Lake, the Blackstone River and Chapman Lake are great stopping points. We were lucky enough to have a relatively close encounter with a juvenile golden eagle that was perched on the Two Moose Lake viewing platform. The eagle remained patiently on the platform as more and more travellers pulled over for a look. It eventually took off but did circle back for a cruise by his audience.
We had a mix of hot and rainy weather. But you are in the mountains so that is to be expected. If you come off a trail cold and wet, you can just drop in to the Interpretive Centre, sit by the fire and enjoy a Labrador Tea.
As always Ruby was a champ. She is still too young for long hikes but was happy to transfer to her backpack when required.
Sadly we saw an example of the hazards that the Dempster Highway can present to travellers. A southbound vehicle lost control on a corner, went sideways, then rolled and ended up in Two Moose Lake. There were injuries, but reportedly no fatalities. Apparently it took four hours for an ambulance, responding from Dawson City, to make it to the scene. It reminded us of the importance of taking our time and driving with caution when travelling the Dempster.
Our five-day stay seems to0 short and we are headed back to Dawson City to stock up on supplies, drop off the fifth wheel in preparation for our truck-tenting adventure north up the Dempster to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT.
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