Yukon 2008 Vacation Planner - 93

Yukon SCEnIC DRIVES Route The Campbell Highway and Canol Road criss-cross pristine Yukon wilderness northeast of Whitehorse. Distance: 500 to 1,000 km Time recommended: Minimum 2 nights Features: Quiet, Little Salmon and Frances lakes, Pelly River, Fannin’s sheep, the Canol Road Activities: Fishing and boating in roadside lakes, hiking around Faro, interpretive tours, camping, wildlife viewing, canoeing the Big Salmon River, watching crane migration and sheep, golfing in Faro Trip Planning Places to visit: Carmacks, Faro, Ross River, Watson Lake, Teslin, Johnsons Crossing, Marsh Lake, Whitehorse above: Lapie River Canyon Bridge – YG, below right: Sandhill crane – YG (J. Jantunen) • Watson Lake to Carmacks via Ross River: 583 km (12 hrs) Johnsons Crossing to Ross River: 225 km (5 hrs) Road Less Travelled Visitors driving to the Yukon on the Alaska Highway can choose the Campbell Highway as their alternate route to or from the Klondike. This gravel road through an untouched wild landscape delivers a true northern driving experience. In Watson Lake, the Campbell Highway begins at the world-famous Sign Post Forest. When returning from Dawson City, drivers should watch for the Campbell Highway turnoff near Carmacks. Two towns are located midway through the journey. Faro is a former hardrock mining town that once supported one of the largest lead-zinc mines in the world. Today, Faro has reinvented itself for retirees, artists, families and visitors who seek rural and wilderness experiences. Ross River is a Kaska First Nation town at the confluence of the Pelly and Ross rivers. Ross River is also located near the junction of the Campbell Highway and Canol Road. migrate overhead in spring and fall. Known for access to great fishing and plenty of space, Campbell and Canol campgrounds are found at Lapie Canyon and Little Salmon, Johnson, Simpson, Frances and Quiet lakes. The town of Faro operates a campground and RV park. • Highways travelled: Robert Campbell Highway #4, South Canol Road #6, Alaska Highway #1, and North Klondike Highway #2 Visitor Information Centres: Whitehorse, Teslin, Watson Lake, Faro, Carmacks Local Attractions Campbell Region Interpretive Centre Mount Mye Sheep Centre • Fisheye Lake • Quiet Lake • Canol Footbridge • Dena Cho Trail • Lapie Canyon • Rose Lake • • Canol Adventures The historic Canadian American Northern Oil Line (CANOL) Road was built by the U.S. government during World War II. A shortlived, expensive pipeline was laid in this hastily built north-south corridor to bring oil to supply the war effort. The lakes that line the South Canol Road make it a favourite destination for canoe and boat trips. In Ross River, a summer cable ferry transports vehicles to the North Canol Road, offering a more rugged driving experience. The Canol Road and Campbell Highway are both maintained in the summer, and road surfaces are gravel except for paved sections between Carmacks and Faro. A popular variation is to combine the scenic South Canol —a winding, narrow road not recommended for large motorhomes—with the western half of the Campbell Highway. Driving speeds are lower than on other Yukon highways. Full services are available in Faro and Ross River, the two communities at the heart of this unique wilderness circuit onto the Yukon’s less-travelled roads. Wild Discoveries Visitors can find out about a range of outdoor activities and wildlife viewing at the Campbell Region Interpretive Centre, located in Faro. Large numbers of moose as well as bears, wolves and small mammals thrive in the Campbell Region. A herd of Fannin’s sheep resides on the hills near Faro, with Dall’s sheep in the Lapie Canyon, and Sandhill cranes travelyukon.com 93

Yukon 2008 Vacation Planner

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