Alaskan Diary - Hot at Hot Springs Part V

The next day after our stay at Burwash Landing it was once again on to Alaska.  Haines Junction was next up the road and there was a Ranger Station-Museum where we were introduced to Kluane National Park and Preserve. Beyond that, to the west in Alaska, is Wrangel-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. These gigantic wilderness parks are basically accessible only by backpacking and boat.

The headwaters of the Liard River lie in the mountain range straddling the B.C. - Yukon border. This large river flows eventually into the mighty McKenzie and thus north into the Arctic Ocean. We crossed a large suspension bridge over the river and then followed its course north to Watson Lake.

A neat lunch stop on the way was at Rancherra Falls Recreation Area.

The Liard has carved a beautiful valley through the mountain foothills.

A highlight for us was a stop and a swim in Liard Hots Springs. This was also a favorite place to "take a break" for the thousands of military and civilian workers, who first pioneered the Alaska Highway through a seemingly intractable wilderness. This was done in 1942 because of the threat of Japanese attack on Alaska.

Yours truly backside facing Gary's  camera while Mrs. T. gets a "behind" shot. Scary....

Down stream towards the board walk the water temp. was very comfortable. Upstream it got hotter and hotter till you could reach  the parboiling point.
On the tragic side, the boardwalk from the parking lot to the springs, was the scene of where an emaciated black bear had attacked and killed two tourists several years before. This whole area is abundant with wildlife and exotic plants, including 14 kinds of orchids. 

Later that afternoon we stopped  to camp  along  another alpine lake. Thinking of a quick swim that evening I dipped my toe in the water, I determined it to be colder than Lake Superior. A lot colder. But what a view!