THE YUKON - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 684

feet) high, the largest non-polar ice field in the world, which occupies a little more than half
the park. Radiating out from the icefield like spokes on a wheel are glaciers up to 60 kilo-
meters (37 miles) long. Such is the importance of this area that—together with Wrangell-
Saint Elias and Glacier Bay National Parks in Alaska, and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial
Park in British Columbia—Kluane has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Although more than half of Kluane is ice, rock, and snow, the remainder includes habitat
that holds large populations of wildlife. Some 4,000 Dall sheep—one of the world's largest
populations—reside on the high open hillsides northwest of Kaskawulsh Glacier and else-
where in the park. Many can be seen from the highway in the vicinity of Sheep Moun-
tain. Kluane also has significant populations of moose, caribou, mountain goats, and grizzly
bears.
Tours
If you're not comfortable exploring the backcountry without a local guide, consider using
Kluane Ecotours (867/634-2600, www.kluaneco.com ), which offers day and overnight
trips on foot and in kayaks and canoes, including a paddling/hiking combo to King's
Throne.
Flightseeing over the park is available from the Haines Junction Airport. The one-hour
flight offered by Kluane Glacier Tours (867/634-2916, www.yukonairtours.com , $250) af-
fords a spectacular view of Mount Logan plus several glaciers and is highly recommended
if you happen to be there on a clear day.
Practicalities
Easily accessible 27 kilometers (17 miles) south of Haines Junction and within Kluane Na-
tional Park is Kathleen Lake Campground (867/634-7250, mid-May-early Sept., $16),
with 39 sites between the highway and the lake. Amenities are limited to firewood ($9 for a
fire permit), drinking water, and pit toilets, but it's a delightful spot that is a popular launch-
ing spot for kayaks and canoes. It also has a short interpretive trail and is the starting point
for a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) trek up to the King's Throne, so named for its sweeping
views across the park; allow four hours round-trip.
In Haines Junction, the Kluane National Park Visitor Centre (Da Ku Cultural Centre,
280 Alaska Hwy., 867/634-7207, www.pc.gc.ca , 9am-5pm daily mid-May-Aug.) has a re-
lief map of the park and an excellent 20-minute sight-and-sound slide show presented every
half hour. On the Alaska Highway 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Haines Junction, Tach-
al Dhal Visitor Centre (867/734-7250, 9am-4:30pm daily June-Aug.) has a spotting scope