 |
| Camping at Yukon’s Grizzly Lake |
With the speed of our road trip, we didn’t have much time for backcountry adventures but we did want to do at least one overnight trip in a beautiful location (especially since we had brought our backpacks and gear). Tombstone Territorial Park is one of the most accessible northern parks, and not only are the mountains and tundra jaw-droppingly beautiful, it’s also home to moose, caribou, bear, Dall sheep, marmots, ground squirrels, and loads of falcons and birds. Since it is located at the base of the Dempster road, we would be passing through the park twice and were a bit more flexible on camping dates. This was necessary because the Tombstone’s Grizzly lake site was almost booked out for a week (max 10 sites), and we were able to secure a spot a week later after on the return from the Dempster.
 |
| a really cute marmot |
 |
| Amazing scenery on the way to the site |
 |
| The mountains surrounding the campground behind us |
 |
| some rocky bits to travel through |
 |
| Carrying her share! |
 |
| Just really beautiful! |
When you overnight at Grizzly lake, you must pick up a pass from the Interpretive Center and also a bear container. Why they don’t just keep the containers in the camp site’s bear lock-ups (as they do in BC) is a bit beyond me as they are large and hard to pack and heavy. We had a little intro to the hike with a very friendly ranger, loaded with lots of warnings and were given estimated hiking times that were really quite extreme (8-12 hours one way). Just as a reference, we asked lots of hikers along the way and campers at the campsite, and got an average one-way time of about 5-7 hours (but we didn’t meet too many older hikers). Without a backpack I would estimate one could do a return trip in about 9-12 hours with lots of breaks and rests. We finished in about 7 hours one way with about 1.5 hours of total rest and photography time.
 |
| Starting in the subalpine |
 |
| the first section is a climb and you get views quickly |
 |
| up up and up! |
 |
| saying hi to some rangers at the top of the first incline |
 |
| having no issues with the “tough” terrain |
 |
| lots of resting and photos |
 |
| The highest point of the trail |
 |
| You can see the campground coming up! more than half done |
 |
| Whiskey pulling her daddy along |
 |
| You can see the lake clearly now |
 |
| A tiny bit of snow left in July, with the most amazing views |
 |
| At this point everyone is tired of me taking pictures |
 |
| rocky sections separate a couple marmot meadows |
The campsite was really muddy and had roped off trails to and from the eating shelters which was really the worst part about this entire trip, but at least the camp spots were raised off the ground (great for squirrels not to eat through your tent). Ground squirrels are famous for eating through everything since they are so salt-deprived and will even eat your shoelaces if left outside of the tent. It was not advised to use the lake water, rather the running water from the streams on the way to the campsite but we saw people using the lake water with filters. For Whiskey’s food we packed her dehydrated dog food which she of course, carried herself.
 |
| Walking through some meadows |
 |
| ground squirrels are really chirpy! |
 |
| marmots shrill as we walk by (keep dogs on leash!) |
 |
| They blend in so well here! |
 |
| Living in paradise |
 |
| a pointer doing her thing |
 |
| lots of breaks to look at the scenery |
 |
| mom! enough pictures! |
 |
| watching us set up camp |
 |
| at the food shelter |
 |
| waking dad up |
 |
| the hardest part is getting up when it’s cold and rainy |
 |
| a mini waterfall for collecting water |
 |
| massage stops along the way, of course |
 |
| Heading back was much faster |
 |
| I still couldn’t get enough of the scenery |
 |
| looking back down at the rest of tombstone |
 |
| We are tiny in a beautiful Earth |
|
| Just missing the proper rain, but we had a few sprinkles |
 |
| the entire trail has views except for the first km |
 |
| The trail was easy to follow with no chance of getting lost |
 |
| Racing to the car before those pregnant clouds let loose! |
There were many options for a 3rd and 4th night, unfortunately, we didn’t have time and headed back . Quick doggy cheat: Thierry attached Whiskey’s leash to his pack, and then to his belt so she would power him up the inclines. It’s a bit trickier heading down though! On the return trip we were an hour faster (and took fewer photos) and just arrived in time to drive back to the Interpretive Center to return the bear can before they closed. I’d love to come back again!
 |
| Until next time! |
No Comments