Flying into the Tombstone Mountains - Part I

We patiently wait for our air transportation in the parking lot of the Grizzly Lake trail head, entrance to Tombstone Territorial park back-country.  As I scan the horizon I hope to see  a yellow craft sporting the name "Trans North Helicopters" emerge from the low cloud cover any second now....to no avail nothing. Seconds feel like hours and minutes feel like an eternity. We've taken all precautions we need "just in case" we can't fly in and meet up with the other half of our expedition mates, but we're also hoping not to have to use it.

Pot of Gold - Talus Lake, Tombstone Territory

We are headed into one of the most stunning areas the Yukon has to offer, the Tombstone Mountains.  Situated approximately 75km NE of Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park is teaming with colors of the coming autumn. A palate of crimson, gold, green and orange set fire to the hillsides of the Dempster Highway - this is the finest time to visit this northern region also known as the "Patagonia of the North". Memorable for its black granite peaks, idyllic alpine lakes and subarctic tundra landscapes, Tombstone Territorial Park is an icon among Yukon destinations. It is a place where the silence is so loud it is deafening, a place where the only sound you hear is the breath coming from your own body.

Tombstone Mountains Slideshow

Ever wonder what Guide's do in the winter?

We often get asked - what do you do in the winter? While most of us work up at Cypress Mountain on Vancouver's North Shore, we also get to enjoy the backcountry in all its splender....Paul Head, Mark, Jenn Dickie, my brother Jeremy and our friend Tim headed up to a small local gem today known as Red Heather Meadows. Part of Garabaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia, one must have 4X4 and chains to get to the trailhead. It is approximately 40 minutes from our doorstep including the bumpy logging road ride. Luckily for us we were the first ones in the parking lot this morning and broke trail with 30cm of fresh powder! Not only was it a great workout but we were all rewarded with both the company of good friends and outstanding views....snowshoe or ski, it was merely a method of transporting us to another world.

The gang skinning and snowshoeing up

Paul, Jenn and Mark with the Tantalus range in the background

The view of the Tantalus range looming in the background was absolutely outstanding to say the least. Snowshoeing and skiing uphill doesn't seem to be much different for speed, but it is on the downhill that we the skiers beat the snowshoers by an entire hour :-) A great day adventure right in our backyards....

Mark & Tantalus Range

If you aren't a winter person, get out there and get your head above the clouds! Besides, it is a great way to keep your fitness levels up for the summer so when spring training time rolls around the corner it the trail won't seem so steep. So what are you waiting for? Get out there!

Journery to the Edge of the World

So, if you are looking for something to do on a rainy day and you want to be inspired to travel in this great country we call Canada then check out the links below to: Billy Connolly: Journery to the Edge of the World.

 It is a four-part series that follows Billy from Atlantic Canada, up and through the Northwest Passage, down through the Yukon and BC and finishes at the Pacific Ocean. Billy Connolly is fantastic as the host, you can tell that he is genuinely having a great experience and he alone makes it a lot of fun to watch.

For those of you looking for Sea to Sky Expeditions inspiration, parts 3 and 4 of the show highlight some great areas, particularly in the Yukon, which we visit. Billy spends time on the Dempster highway, flying by helicopter into Tombstone Territorial Park (sound familiar), staking his claim along the rivers and mountains of the Yukon and then finishes his journey at Friendly Cove. The destination of our newest trip Nootka Island! Enjoy the show!!,

Links: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4

Tombstone Mountains - Kelly Kurtz Photography