First Annual Golden Circle Ride
The Golden Circle Route contains some of North America’s grandest scenery and wildest places. Within relatively short distances, the route covers a wide range of eco-systems—from boreal forest to coastal rainforest to immense icefields.

Starting in Whitehorse with the more rounded mountains of the Yukon’s interior valley, drive north up the famous Alaska Highway to Haines Junction located in Kluane National Park and Reserve which contains Canada’s highest mountains, the largest non-polar icefield in the world, and a rich variety of bird, plant, and animal life. Kluane has some of the healthiest populations of grizzly bears and Dall sheep in the world, and recorded sightings of nearly 200 bird species. The park is a major tectonic zone (besides being the highest mountains in Canada, they are also the fastest growing) and the major agent in landscape formation is glaciation. The park contains over 2,000 glaciers— including valley, alpine and rock glaciers. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Haines Junction is situated at the junction of the Haines Road and Alaska Highway. It is the headquarters of Kluane National Park and Reserve, and located in the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Leaving Haines Junction, ride through the magnificent mountain scenery of the Chilkat Pass, then through thick forests of hemlock and Sitka spruce through until you descend into the wide valley of the Chilkat River.

Haines is a picturesque fishing village situated on a finger of land between Chilkat and Chilkoot inlets in the Lynn Canal. At the Haines Convention and Visitors Center you can get information on local outfitters offering mountain biking, kayaking and rafting tours. Haines is also North America’s best eagle viewing area. Concentrations reach their peak in mid-November when up to 4,000 eagles feast on the annual salmon run.

After exploring Haines, catch a ferry for the scenic ride up the Lynn Canal to Skagway, Alaska. This deep coastal fiord features cascading falls, glaciercapped mountains and the promise of whale sightings. This historic port hummed with activity in 1898 as thousands of hopeful stampeders passed through on their way to the Klondike goldfields. Today, cruise ships frequent the docks and the downtown core is lined with historic buildings and shops.

From Skagway continue north, crossing the dramatic rocky landscape of White Pass. Walk the railroad tracks at Log Cabin and watch trains chug across the Summit. Scenic pullouts, waterfalls and hiking from the roadside are some of the special features of White Pass.

Features:

• Poker Run Included
• Chance to ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
• Kluane National Park & Haines Junction
• Haines, Alaska
• Ferry Ride through Lynn Canal
• Southern Lakes Ride