Haines Highway

Introducing Haines Highway

If you’re doing only a short loop between Haines and Skagway via Whitehorse, this 259km road might be the highlight of your trip. In fact no matter what length your Yukon adventure, the Haines Hwy (Hwy 3) might be the high point. In a relatively quick distance you see glaciers, looming snow-clad peaks, lush and wild river valleys, wind-swept Alpine meadows and a bald-eagle-laced river delta.

Heading south of Haines Junction, look west for a close-up of the St Elias Mountains, those glaciers glimpsed at the top stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean. About 80km south, look for the Tatshenshini River viewpoint. This white-water river flows through protected bear country and a valley that seems timeless.

About 10km further, look for Million Dollar Falls. For once the sight lives up to the billing as water thunders through a narrow chasm. Let the roar lull you to sleep at the nearby territorial campground.

The highway crosses into BC for a mere 70km but you’ll hope for more as you traverse high and barren alpine wilderness where sudden snow squalls happen year-round. At the 1070m Chilkat Pass, an ancient aboriginal route into the Yukon, the road suddenly plunges down for a steep descent into Alaska. The US border is 72km north of Haines, along the wide Chilkat River Delta.

Home to scores of bald eagles year-round, the handsome birds flock like pigeons each fall when they mass in the trees over-looking the river drawn by the comparatively mild weather and steady supply of fish.

Pullouts line the Haines Hwy (Hwy 7 in Alaska), especially between mileposts 19 and 26. Take you time driving and find a place to park. Just a few feet from the road, it’s quiet and when you see a small tree covered with 20 pensive – and sizable – bald eagles, you can enjoy your own raptor version of The Birds.

Last updated: Jul 22, 2009