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The
Donjek Region
Backpacking
in Kluane National Park
©
Outdoor Adventure Canada
 Located
in the southwest corner of the Yukon, Kluane National Park boasts
the highest peak in Canada, Mount Logan. Kluane National Park
is a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of alpine tundra and
hosting over two hundred varieties of Alpine Flora.
This region
is north of the 60th parallel which means that the summer days
can be as long as 19 hours and the winter days as short as four
hours. The temperature can reach lows of -50 C in the winter season
and summer days can be as warm as 33 C. Wildlife of the region
includes grizzly and black bears, wolves, foxes, wolverines, muskrat,
mink, marmot and lynx. Birdlife includes the golden and bald eagles.
The Donjek
area is a favorite destination for hikers. There is no actual
trail and you will need to be an expert at orienteering and an
experienced backpacker. Be sure to have a good topographical map
of the region. There are also tremendous elevation changes throughout
the trek. An average trip takes about 10 days.
Along the
way you may visit the Burwash Uplands and reach a saddle on the
Amphitheatre Mountain. You will see sub-alpine meadows and find
a patrol cabin at the base of an outcrop.
As you head into the area of the Hoge pass you will notice many
gullies and travel along scree slopes. Eventually you will hike
through some stands of poplar and spruce. This is prime bear area
so be sure to make lots of noise as you travel through the woods.
You will come along a meadow and see an incredible view of the
Donjek Glacier. Canyons, waterfalls, old mining roads and other
scenic treats await you on the Donjek Route. The view from the
top of the Atlas Pass is breathtakingly beautiful. Kluane Lake
is also very pretty.
Bears are
numerous throughout the Donjek so precautions must be taken. Bear
resistant canisters are recommended. Giardia has also been reported
in Kluane, therefore you should treat water with chemicals, by
boiling or filtering. You will need a compass and a good survival
kit. It is not impossible to see snow on the passes even in the
summertime. For safety reasons it is necessary to register your
trip at the Haines Junction Visitors Centre or at Sheep Mountain.
This is definitely not a trip for a hiker who lacks advanced skills.
Weather changes, water levels and the natural inhabitants can
cause a hiker to have to adapt their route accordingly. This pristine
wilderness region is awesome with high passes, deep canyons and
sights such as caribou. Kluane National Park is a place to be
treasured and experienced.
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