Bison, Sheep and Bears…Oh My!

Rancheria Falls is in the background.  A nice 10 minute walk from the parking lot along a boardwalk.

The weather continues to be rainy, rainy, rainy.  The drive from Toad River to Watson Lake is reported to be one of the most scenic parts of the Alaska highway, but we didn’t get the full show because of the low hanging clouds.  In particular, Muncho Lake, which is a vivid green when the sun is shining, was just grayish green.

Folded Mountain.
Long, long ago, this was flat land, then the continental plates started moving and pressures caused the land to rise and fold.

Muncho Lake. 
Zinc oxide suspended in the water causes a brilliant shade of green (apparently only when the sun shines.)

One of the many rivers and creeks that run alongside the highway.

But, we were treated to sightings of several different wild critters. The road is virtually empty, we passed very few cars going the other way and it didn’t seem like many were headed our direction.

Stone Sheep.  Found out that they like to lick the road to get the salt.

A group of Woods Bison.  Different from the Plains Bison we saw in Alberta.

This guy just casually crossed behind our trailer while we were parked at a pullout.

This bear would pause and check us out for a minute before going back to his foraging.  We spent several minutes watching him.

This bald eagle passed within 30 feet of us.  It was being harrassed by this small white bird.  Russ just quick pulled up his camera and got one shot off before the birds were gone.  Amazingly, he got the picture!

Decided to stay two days in Watson Lake since we had been traveling on the road every day since Edmonton.  In retrospect, that was one day too many.  Watson Lake is VERY small. And there aren’t too many sights.  But we were able to catch up on laundry and such.

Watson Lake’s big tourist attraction is the signpost forest.  Started in World War II by a homesick G.I., it has grown to thousands and thousands of signs. Took in a show on Northern Lights at a very nice planetarium (in the middle of this entire wilderness, a first rate planetarium!)  We went out to the airport which was one of the key airstrips during World War II and toured the terminal.  We were the only ones there, which was kind of spooky.  Russ noted there weren’t any passenger screening devices, only a sign saying you didn’t need to have your luggage scanned if you didn’t want it placed on the plane.  The terminal had photos from the World War II era describing the role the airstrip played in the ferrying of planes and materials to Russia and China as part of the Lend-Lease Act of 1941.

We weren't the first ones from Long Beach!  Aw shucks.

I had just been complaining to Russ that I never see my name anywhere and what did we run across in the Signpost Forest? Hope it isn't saying anything bad!

Walked part way around Wye Lake to see dragonflies and take some photos.  Also took some local drives.  Lots of lakes in this area.

One of the lakes near Watson Lake

Damselfly

Dragonfly

The day we drove from Watson Lake to Whitehorse, the weather was much better. Saw some beautiful country.  My concept of immense has been revised.  I have never seen such expanses of wilderness.

Rancheria Falls

Arrived in Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon Territory on Canada Day.  Not good timing as the campgrounds were pretty full.  But we did find a spot for two nights.