Exploring Yukon: A 7-Day Adventure Through the Golden Circle Route
Yukon: A 7-Day Adventure on the Golden Circle Route
Some trips are worth planning for in the winter, and this destination truly made all the meticulous planning worthwhile. The excitement before you even start traveling is half the fun, in my opinion. If you're here, you're in for a one-week itinerary for Yukon, following the Golden Circle Route in August.
We decided to fly into Whitehorse at around 2:30 PM from Calgary with Air North, and I must say, their service was phenomenal. While most airlines no longer offer free meals, Air North provided complimentary sandwiches, drinks, and warm cookies. We rented a car from Budget and made our way to Haines Junction. We chose to stay at Paradise Inn, and I’m so glad we did! It's a locally run Inn by a lovely couple, equipped with everything you need to cook and enjoy a peaceful stay surrounded by the mountains.
Day 1: Haines Junction
The weather was pouring all day, but we were determined to explore Kluane National Park. Unfortunately, our planned flight to land on a glacier with Icelandic Discovery Tours was canceled due to unsafe conditions. Rather than let that ruin the day, we decided to venture out anyway.
Our first stop was the Soldier Summit Trail Hike. This is a must-do if you're in the area. The view from the top feels like you’ve been transported to a Caribbean island, with the river sands stretching out like nothing else. The hike is 3.2 km and classified as moderate, and we were the only ones on the trail early in the morning. People often report seeing sheep at the top since you're in sheep country, but given the rain, I’m sure they were tucked away in cozy corners.
Next, we visited the Thatch Visitor Center, one of the best-placed centers I've ever seen. It reminded me a little of Waterton National Park's visitor center. Afterward, we had a delicious lunch at our Inn—there aren’t many places to eat in Haines.
Our next stop was the Kluane Cultural Centre, which you can easily explore in about 30 minutes. For the rest of the afternoon, we relaxed, watched TV, and prepped for dinner.
In the evening, we took a short 20-minute walk along the Spruce Beetle Trail. This path was lined with wildflowers, and as the clouds receded, we were treated to beautiful valley views.
Day 2: Haines Junction to Haines
The weather was gloomy, but at least it wasn’t raining as heavily as the day before. Grateful for the slight break, we drove from Haines Junction to Haines. Our first stop was Lake Kathleen. We had two trail options: King Throne Trail or Rock Glacier Trail. We opted for the Rock Glacier Trail, following the recommendation of a park ranger.
Rock Glacier Trail.
The boardwalk around Kathleen Lake is a must-see, and the clouds rolling over the mountains made the scene even more magical. The Rock Glacier Trail was incredible—views on both sides of the trail: one side of Dezadeash Lake and the other facing the St. Elias Mountain Range. It was a bit of a scramble, but totally worth the effort (make sure to wear sturdy shoes!).
We stopped at several scenic lookouts along Haines Road, and the most breathtaking was the Haines Highest Elevation Summit. Clouds surrounded the St. Elias Mountain Range, creating a mystical atmosphere.
We arrived in Haines around 3 PM. After dinner, we drove to Chilkoot Lake, which was the highlight of our trip. Here, we witnessed a bear feasting on salmon during the salmon run—it was an unforgettable show!
Day 3: Haines to Juneau via the Fjordland Ferry
It was a ferry day! We couldn’t resist getting up early around 6:30 AM to visit Chilkoot Lake again, hoping to spot some more bears. Unfortunately, we just missed a family of three cubs and their mama at 5:45 AM.
At 8:30 AM, we boarded the Fjordland Ferry to Juneau. You can board at either Skagway or Haines. The ferry gives you about 4 hours in downtown Juneau for a day trip, with a return time around 4 PM. We opted for the day trip and arrived in Juneau at around 12:30 PM.
Along the way, we spotted a few humpback whales, and the Fjordland staff was excellent. Once in Juneau, we were transported to downtown by a tour bus (a 25-minute ride). We strolled around the Steamship Harbor, and coincidentally, two cruise ships—Royal Caribbean and Holland America—were docked there, bringing in crowds. We walked from one end of the harbor to the other, stopping at shops along the way.
We grabbed takeout from The Hangar at the Wharf, which had some delicious haddock tacos. After a fun afternoon, we boarded the ferry back to Haines at 4:30 PM. On the return journey, the skies had cleared, and we saw several baby bald eagles, seals, humpback whales, and even orcas! Fjordland served us a hearty breakfast in the morning—muffins, an apple, and sourdough salmon chowder with a warm cookie for the ride home.
Day 4: Haines to Haines Junction—Landing on a Glacier!
Our original plan was to take the ferry to Skagway after hiking Battery Point Trail in Haines, but my husband woke up early and suggested we drive the scenic Haines Road again. This time, the sun was out, and we made the most of it.
On the way back, we decided to check with Icelandic Discovery Tours to see if there were any openings to land on Mount Logan Glacier. We got lucky and were able to book the tour, which we started at 12 PM and finished around 2:30 PM. It was an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend it!
Afterward, we drove to Whitehorse and stayed at a cozy Airbnb called Sprucebird. After dinner, we took a short walk on the Whitehorse Millennium Trail before calling it a night.
Day 5: Whitehorse to Carcross
Our first stop today was the Miles Canyon Trail, which was especially thrilling for those looking for an adrenaline rush (I recommend the Rim Trail if you're into that!). Be cautious of the steep edges near the canyon.
Next, we drove to Carcross and visited Bennett Beach—a hidden gem. We had lunch there and strolled along the beach, dipping our toes into the ice-cold water—it was incredibly refreshing! Afterward, we explored the Carcross Desert Trail while snacking on focaccia from the Carcross Bakery. Their brownie was out of this world!
Day 6: Whitehorse City
This was our last day in the Yukon, so we decided to keep things light. We hiked the Knuckle Ridge Trail—what a workout! This 3.2 km moderate trail offers stunning views of Fish Lake. If you’re visiting in autumn, it’s a must-do. After the hike, we headed to Klondike Ribs & Salmon for some delicious sourdough bread pudding.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at Well Read Books, picking up some old books for the trip home.
I usually say goodbye to places when I leave them, but this trip was just the beginning for me. Yukon is calling me back, and I can’t wait to explore more of this beautiful, wild place!
Black stairs right in downtown.
Final Thoughts: This trip was an incredible journey through rugged landscapes, wildlife, and fascinating history. The Golden Circle Route truly offers a taste of everything that makes Yukon special.
