Alaska & The Yukon 2009 - (Page 31) whitehorse Whitehorse marks the location of oncetreacherous rapids. They dampened the spirits of water-soaked gold seekers who struggled to get their boats through Miles Canyon. Today, the scene is a quieter one. As the territorial headquarters for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory, Whitehorse has earned its place on the map. If you find yourself with time to explore, on cruisetours 1–10, 27 and 28, be sure to take in the ss Klondike National Historic Site. This park evokes the days when riverboats brought virtually all goods and many newcomers into the region. It is the final resting place of the ss Klondike II, the largest and last of the great Yukon River sternwheelers. a sam p l e o f o p t i o nal w hi te h o rs e e xC u rsions yukon river Many of North America’s early inhabitants depended on the Yukon River, the mythical “highway of the North.” Today you can follow in their wake, passing First Nations settlements, 1890s gold stakes, and abandoned sternwheelers. Board our own mv Yukon Queen II for an exclusive day cruise through 102 miles of unspoiled scenery and local lore. Watch for bear and caribou foraging at the forest’s edge. Catch a glimpse of moose wading in the shallows. Glide past rock cliffs where peregrine falcons nest. Disembark in Eagle and take a short walk to the nearby Visitor Center. Here you can learn more about the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve that protects a storied segment of the Yukon River. insiD e t ip Guests on cruisetours 1– 6 and 27–28 will enjoy our Yukon River cruise between Eagle and Dawson City. Kluane optional excursions Choose from fishing, rafting and a wide selection of interpreted hikes. mv Schwatka yukon river Cruise Cruise across the scenic Lake Schwatka, through Miles Canyon and up the Yukon River for stunning wilderness scenery. op p osit e Moose wade in the shallows of the Yukon River. a b ov e The 2,300-mile-long Yukon River courses through Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory. Gold is still mined in Alaska and the Yukon. left Whitehorse Yukon River Dawson City, with its costumed townsfolk, is a living museum of the gold rush. www.hollandamerica.com 31 The Yukon http://experience.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/alaskacruise/assets/video/whitehorse.swf http://experience.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/alaskacruise/assets/video/yukonriver.swf http://www.hollandamerica.com
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