Trapline Trail
11 Day Trapper Trail Dog Sled Tour
Interested in enjoying mushing on many trails in different areas? Then this extended dogsledding tour might be the right one. One week enjoying the nice trails around Sky High Valley Ranch and Fish Lake. Extended Dogsledding can be a little bit demanding so this winter adventure is for the musher with some experience but also for daring beginners! You should be in relatively good physical shape.Day 1 Saturday - [top]
Arrival at the Airport in Whitehorse. You will be picked up by our van and do a short tour of Whitehorse. Here you also have the chance to do some last minute shopping. Afterwards we drive to the Sky High Valley Ranch, 20km South of Whitehorse where we outfit you with your expedition clothing.You move into your cozy cabin, or nice double room in the main lodge. The Lodge is overlooking beautiful Fish Lake, with southern exposure. The dogs are waiting to meet you. Lunch in the main lodge. Do you want to know what a bootie is? Well you learn it today. We show you how to harness the dogs and give you an instruction on how to drive the sled.
Depending on the weather and time of the day we hook up the dogs and go for a short first run. Three dogs pull you on this first day.
After taking care of the dogs we enjoy a hearty meal. You might want to take a shower or just relax beside the stove, and of course listen to the dogs howling outside. Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. (L, D)
Day 2 Sunday - [top]
While the morning sun slowly lifts over the horizon we prepare for our daytrip after breakfast. We feed and water the dogs and harness them up at around 11 a. m. We cover about 35 km in distance, driving towards Jackson Lake and the Copper Haul Road.Just the slight sound of the working dogs and runners in the snow will be with you for that day. You get to know your dogs and start to form a personal relationship. With every stop, and praise for the dogs, they learn to trust you and you to trust them. Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Monday - [top]
The dogs will pull us on a trail east of the Ranch. We are continuously climbing in elevation as we are heading on an abandoned mining road on MacIntyre Mountain. On occasional stops we can enjoy unprecedented scenery of the Costal Mountain with Fish Lake nestled deep in the valley. Return to the Lodge Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch (B, L, D)
Day 4 Tuesday - [top]
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Today we head towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the Ranch. The trails are narrower with some challenging up and downs. The Coastal Mountains are always in view to the South and West. Part of the trip we travel above tree line and easily cover between 20 and 30 km. Slowly, a new feeling of life will creep in. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature in a way you�ve never experienced before. Overnight at Sky High Valley Ranch. There is a gravity fed indoor shower waiting for you in the main lodge. (B, L, D) Day 5 Wednesday - [top]
Now you leave behind the last remnants of civilization and head out to a real wilderness. The trail follows Fish Lake and climb and heads into the Costal Range to the south. After aprox 2.5 hrs of running time we reach our trapper�s wall tent camp at dry creek. Overnight in Wall tent (B, L, D)
Day 6 Thursday - [top]
From the wall tent camp, weather permitting we will make a run to the top of the mountain above tree line to Ptarmigan flats where there is a good chance of seeing large flocks of these beautiful white birds and having some wonderful sledding on miles of wind blown snowy hill tops, before heading back to the wall tent camp (B,L,D)
Day 7 Friday - [top]
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After a musher�s breakfast, we will start for our mushing back to Sky High Valley Ranch. The dogs pull us steady westbound with the Coastal Mountains in plain view ahead of us. Overnight in lodge at Sky High Valley Ranches. Enjoy a cosy sauna or shower after your two nights of wilderness camping. (B,L,D) Day 8 Saturday - [top]
For three days we leave behind the remnant of civilization and again head out for an unforgetable adventure. Your team of huskies pulls you and your loaded sled to remote Coal Lake. Driving across unnamed lakes we reach our old trappers cabin wich we still use. Everything we need will be packed on the sled. We go out to cut some firewood, cook together on the woodstove and share stories. If the group decides, we might even take a few of our new fourlegged friends in the cabin. We have a great chance to see moose or caribou. Overnight at trappers cabin / wall tent. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sunday - [top]
Today we cross Coal Lake on our way to towards Alligator Lake and mush the dogs through alpine landscape with its very own charm. Your driving skills will be tested, as a few trails demand your attention. By now you and your team travel in harmony. Coal Lake is a favourite spot for fishing. Overnight at Trapper Cabin / Walltent. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Monday - [top]
Hooking up the dogs will have become much easier for you after working with them for more then a week. Our trip today heads up to Mount MacIntyre again over the summit back on to Fish Lake and back to Sky High Ranch. This trail offers a great view high above Fish Lake. Return to Whitehorse and overnight in Hotel (B, L)
Day 11 Tuesday - [top]
The hotel van (or taxi) brings you to the airport for your southbound flight…. Or better yet, complete your Yukon winter experience, by joining another tour offered.
Scale of benefits - [top]
- Transfer from and to Whitehorse
- Last night accommodation in Whitehorse (2 nights double room)
- Accommodation in cabins (4 nights double room) or heated tent outpost camps (2 nights group accom.), trapline cabin (2 nights group accommodation)
- All meals including non-alcoholic beverages at SKY indicated with (B=Breakfirst, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), meals in restaurants and hotels are not included
- Use of personal sled and 3 to 5 Huskies
- Musher diploma with picture of one of the lead dogs
- Winter Boots included, all other equipment can be rented see below
- Alcoholic beverages (we buy jointly before the tour)
- Winter clothing rental of warm NORTHERN OUTFITTERS Jacket, Pants and sleeping bag Can$ 25 each item, mitts Can$ 10 payable upon arrival in cash or credit card
- Meals in restaurants
- All expenses of personal nature
Rates - [top]
- Can$ 2.625 plus 6% Gst per Person
- 2 single rooms in Whitehorse Can$ 89 plus 6% Gst each
Important:
This Dogsledding adventure is a challenging but relaxed fun trip! We supply you with the best equipment possible, teach you all the important aspects of mushing and prepare the trails as good as possible.
To participate you must be healthy, enjoy working with dogs and have a good team spirit. Dogsledding is a comparable physical activity to cross-country skiing, so you should be in relatively good physical shape.
We point out, that unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, extreme temperatures, condition of the group or illness of the dogs and may force us to change this itinerary. The safety of our guests takes precedence and our decisions are final.
The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravaity fed nature and not available in tent camp.
You will be required to sign a "release of claims and waiver of liability form" prior to the departure of this tour.
dayPossible add-on trips:- Flightseeing with Alpine Aviation, approx Can$ 360 hr/ plane
- Skidoo Daytrip with Up North Adventures approx Can$ 220 day Person
- Rental Car Norcan Leasing appox $ 79 for economy car.
- Pre/ post Hotel nights dbl. at Downtown Hotel Can$ 99 +6% GST
